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As resident of Brooklyn, my neighborhood will not be affected by this new stadium
but I would like to know how this new stadium will change the flow of traffic on the
westside highway? As a commuter who passes frequently through the area by car, it is
normally congested in the midtown area. How does your proposals address this
important issue? I am aware that you plan on extending the 7 train but it will not
eliminate additional traffic on the westside highway. In fact, a new stadium will
increase the traffic I would love to hear back from you! 
Michael Lomagno


Hi Michael,
Traffic on the West Side Highway can be a noightmare during rush hour, but remember, 
football games are played on Sundays and late on Mondays, 9PM to be exact, so there 
is no overlap with rush hour. Some events will impact the highway traffic, I am sure, 
but those will be more convention center type events, with an occasional concert thrown 
in. In the end, this stadium is located to take advantage of mass-transit, which will 
greatly lessen the impact on vehicular traffic. 

Hello,


    My name is Roy Weintraub and I have been very impressed with the website 
that you created regarding to Jets moving to West Side.  Guess what, Im all 
for it.  Its time for Jets to have their own stadium.  I just dont understand 
why Jets dont have their own stadium considering the fact that its NEW YORK TEAM 
and people assumed that New York has everything.


    Everytime I see something sprewing out of Cablevision's point of view, 
whatever its from radio, newspapers and/or television ads, it make me vomit.  It 
does make me run to the bathroom and spend three hours throwing up.  They are 
nothing but punks.  They fought against New York Yankees for 18 months about 
YES Network.  They went to the court and they lost.  They filed lawsuit 
against New York Mets, about Mets TV Network, and this case is still pending.  Now, 
they are fighting to prevent Jets from moving to West Side and Nets from 
moving to Brooklyn.  I have one question to ask them.  Who in the blue hell do they 
think they are?  Sometime Cablevision act like they are so special and they 
are above law, or even above everything else.  They act like they are always 
right and we are always wrong.  They think they should be treated differently 
than anyone else and the world should revolved around them.


    Well, once we get this stadium built, there is no way in the hell that 
Cablevision can stop Jets.  There is nothing more than for me to see Cablevision 
file Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  I really hated them now, more than ever.  I used 
to root for NY Knicks and NY Rangers but now, NO MORE, DOLAN.  When they 
choose to pick fight against Steinbrenner regarding to YES Network, I switched to 
become NJ Nets and NY Islanders fan.  I am not going to feed my money into 
Dolan's pocket.  I am afraid that Dolan will use my money to spend on the ads 
campaigning why they are against West Side Stadium.  I rather used my money to 
campaign why we should have West Side Stadium.


    I hope we can get this West Side Stadium up and it would be my pleasure 
to see DOLAN CRY SO HARD that he could create his own river coming out of 
Garden.  I havent gone to Garden for two years and I have no plan on going back 
because they are idiots.


    If there is anyway I can help you regarding to rally or to declare my 
support on the West Side Stadium, please let me know.  I have the tee shirt - 
BUILD IT - already when I bought them at the NY Jets training camp, this past 
summer of 2004.


    Feel free to send me email if you need anything from me.


Thanks,
Roy Weintraub

I have been a jets fan since 1985 and think the building of a new sports
complex in Manhattan would be extremely beneficial to New York itself.
If as hoped the Olympics do come to New York in 2012 then you would
indeed have a stadium worthy of holding such a World renowned event. The
cost does appear quite high however you should compare it to the cost of
the new stadium being built in London, England. This stadium project has
a projected cost of £750 million (pounds sterling) now convert this into
US dollars and you’ll see that while the New York stadium is expensive
it is by no means the most expensive one being built. I for one think
the benefits outweigh the costs. What about the jobs that will be
created across this complex not just in the stadium, then there’s the
revenue from the countless events that will be held in the complex. If
you take all this into account then it seems on the face of it a viable
and worthwhile project for the city of New York as a whole.
 
I live in Scotland (Great Britain) in a small village 17 miles east of
the capital city Edinburgh. Some may say that my views don’t carry the
same weight as I’m not a New York native but I feel it’s my duty as a
Jets fan to give my support to this project.
 
PS. I’ve never been to a Jets game but some day I will get the funds
together and come visit.
                                                                

Hi,
    I live on the West Coast, but I've been a Jets fan for years.  I ordered one of
your T-shirts so that I can (at least in a small way) help the stadium effort. 
I also called the MSG 800 number so I could press TWO and vote for the stadium. 
MSG makes it pretty obvious that they want you to vote against it.  I thought it
was very funny how they try and guilt trip you into pressing ONE.  I know it's
not my tax dollars going towards this, and I should probably feel bad about the
schools and Firemen and such, but I went ahead and voted for the stadium anyway.
 

Keep up the good work!
Go Jets!
Dan Squire
Springfield, OR

My name is Kevin Richards, NY (not N.J.) JET fan.  Season ticket  holder I go 
to most of the away games also.  I am tired of going to cities  like Indy and 
Houston to enjoy a NY Jet's football game in a first quality  sports 
facility. Let's get out of the swamp!
 
Thought you would get a kick out of the plates. Use the picture if you  want.

Thanks for the reply.

I have gone to all the away games this year so far and it's very funny to be told by fans of the San Diego Chargers that the New York Jet's should have their own stadium. I am a corporate real estate executive and have leased sold and managed over Seven billion dollars of commercial and residential real estate in NYC. I cannot believe the fight you guys are getting over this stadium.

I think the "Ed" ad with the other firemen was the best so far. Use the picture I sent you as you wish. I also had a white NY Jets jersey made with the numbers 09 (as is 2009 ) on the front and back and in the name block I put what my license plate reads NYC JETS. Opening day Mr. Johnson and the Mayor saw the jersey (front row seats) and both gave me the thumbs up. I will send you a picture I am sure you will smile when you see it. Good luck! J! E! T! S! JETS JETS JETS

TWU Member Supports the People's Stadium

I writing this e-mail to show my support to you n what I believe has been long overdue. I myself have sent e-mail's & letters to my local politicans, as well as those who oppose the NYSCC. I'm also writing this to let you know, I will be there for next Wednesdays' (9/29) demonstation near madison square garden. Please let me know what time, & where to meet. In my opinion the NYSCC will be the peoples' stadium, & we should fight this cause to no end.

For the record I am a NYC Transit subway conductor (TWU Local 100).

Thank You Very Much.

John DiDonato

Build Build Build!

The stadium is a great idea - good for the city; and if Cablevision feels its too much competition that's no ones business but theirs.

Build build build!

Steven Kane

No Stadium, Please

Dear WS Stadium Organization,

I request that the stadium for The Jets NOT be built on Manhattan's West Side. I think this stadium will stress Manhattan's infrastructure and cause too much pollution.

Thanks,
Murtland Strotbeck

It's About the Jobs

To whom it may concern:

I am a Recreation professional who also happens to be a life long Jets fan. As a recreational Professional I plan and organize events and programs for all the residents that live within the Village of Briarcliff Manor.

Having earned a Bachelors degree in Parks and Recreation Management, and applying this knowledge for the last 5 years, I understand the importance of a quality facility as well as the potential for employment within the community. This is why I back the west side stadium up 100%. I have heard many other reasons through various outlets (talk shows, papers, friends) why this might not be the best vested interest for the west side, and although I am not an economist, I think it all comes down to the creation of jobs. This alone manifests tax dollars, higher employment rates, confidence in investors and new opportunities. The new opportunities that are on the horizon get me excited each time I am engaged on this topic. As well as the possibility of being on the inside of this issue as program planner for the facility some day. Thus becoming a working example (pun intended) against all the mud slingers and nay sayers! Keep up the good work, because in the end the results will speak for them selves.

Jason Gallo

Right on, Jason. Hope to see you at the rally on the 29th, if you can make it.

You Guys are Lying Bags of Wind

You guys are lying bags of wind. You know this whole idea will never be profitable and will only further suck money from the 77,000 people who would hold tickets. This is the Bigeest bunch of propaganda I've ever heard in my 46 years and will most CERTAINLY not bring the money-losing Olympic games to NYC and also the Supoer Bowl......wake up and tell the truth. Ron

Yes, Ron, but how do you feel about the stadium?

Cablevision's a Bunch of Paranoid Punks!

NYSCC? GO FOR IT ALL THE WAY!!!!, CABLEVISION ARE A BUNCH OF PARANOID, POWER-THREATENED PUNKS, THEY ARE TRYING TO PROTECT "THEIR TERRITORY" THAT EVEN MEANS THE RAILROAD LOTS WHERE THE STADIUM IS GOING TO BE PUT. THEY PAYING EVERYBODY TO LIE.

IT'S LIKE THIS,
CABLEVISION-"I'LL GIVE YOU $400 MILLION, HALF OF WHAT'S BEING PUT INTO THE STADIUM IF YOU SPREAD THE WORD TO THOSE SAYING "$800 MILLION INTO A STADIUM? THERE'S BETTER CHOICES TO DO WITH $800 MILLION",... "SAY NO TO A WEST SIDE STADIUM" WHEN REALLY IT'S GOING TO OUR POWER & WE'LL PAY YOU GUYS BACK, BLOOMBURG IS COVERED TOO."

ALSO THEY ARE TRYING TO KEEP THE OLYMPIC DREAM 2012 IN NYC JUST AS IT IS, A DREAM. BESIDES THE GIANTS CAN STAY IN GIANTS STADIUM, WE AIN'T SHARING THE SAME PLACE, PLUS THE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE JETS & GIANTS CAN HAPPEN MORE OFTEN NOW THAT THEY HAVE SEPARATE STADIUMS, GIANTS & THE MEADOWLANDS, & THE JETS HERE. THE SUPER BOWL HERE WOULD ALSO BE FULFILLED. SIMPLY THE ONLY WAY SUCH EVENTS AS THE OLYMPICS OR THE SUPER BOWL WILL STAY DREAMS IS BY NOT BUILDING THE STADIUM, HAVING THE STADIUM BUILT BETTERS THE CHANCES OF SUCH BIG EVENTS. NYSCC ALL THE WAY!!!!!

ROB aka "GENERATION JETS!!!"

PS.-
THE "GENERATION JETS" IS BECAUSE MY AUNT UNCLE & COUSIN ARE JET FANS, OF COURSE IM A JET FAN TOO. TRADITION RULZ!!!!

Rob, you certainly aren't shy with your point of view!

Not a Bright Idea

(All email is re-printed as it is recieved)
you may think that the west side stadium is a good idea, but manhattan is congested enough as it is. we dont need a stadium on the west side. and what of the people that live in the area, with the amount of trouble they already face with parking, with your stadium, they now have to lose more. i tell you what, you people, mayor moneybags and the jets want the stadium so damn bad, how about you, the mayor and the jets pay for it, instead of using 600 million of city tax dollars, that is more importantly needed for our firehouses and schools and other things we need more importantly than the jets.
Darin Bronka

Darin. You've got to stop watching so much TV, those Cablevision ads are clearly getting to your brain. The 600 million dollars in question is not coming from the salaries of cops or teachers or schools or firehouses. We cover this elsewhere on this page and on this website. One thoing we COULD do to pay our cops and teachers is to simply force Madison Square Garden, owned by America's most hated monopoly, Cablevision, to pay their real estate taxes. That's 12 million a year. But good luck in getting politicians like Richard Gottfried, who is nothing more than a paid shill for the Dolan gang, to stand up and fight the real fight for us tax-payers.

A Forum for Stadium Debate

Thanks to your website, the lively debate continues at this forum: 

 

http://forums.wirednewyork.com/viewtopic.php?t=944 
  
-NYGuy


  Thanks for the link, NYGuy, and keep the debate going!

How Can I Become Involved?

I've looked on your website and saw a number of ways that you suggest people support
the stadium.  Is there any other grassroots activity going on, such as voter i.d.,
phone banking, or literature drops?  If so, I'd be interested in becoming involved. 
If not, I'd be interested in assisting with the planning of such efforts.
Thanks,
Sean 

In the next couple of weeks we'll be revising our web site to enable readers such as yourself to become
actively involved. At the same time, we'll notify you of any developments where you might be able to assist.

You're an Idiot!

It's just MANY people's opinion, but the idea of building a huge stadium in Manhattan is just... well... idiotic! On your own website you talk about events such as the Olympics. Yeah, we're all into the Olympics. Great to watch on TV. But do I want to have it in my back yard? NO! But not only that. You really threw me when you talked about the SuperBowl! You're thinking you want to bring the SuperBowl to Manhattan? Do you guys have ANY common sense at all? Apparently not!

I also don't know why everyone thinks it's so urgent that the convention center be expanded. We already have huge events there. As far as even bigger ones are concerned, I have a brilliant idea: let the bigger events be held some place that has a bigger convention center! Some place ELSE! Isn't that a novel thought! Why is it that so many people think New York has to be the be-all and end-all to everything? I do not understand. It's a big country. There are lots of places - even lots of big cities - that have a lot more space than we have here. I'm firmly in favor of development of these large facilities... somewhere else! Please! Don't be ridiculous!

- - - - - - - - - - Keith Gardner

Okay Keith, so we just let those railyards rot. And while we are at it, lets tear down the theatres and museums and Wall Street and Madison Avenue and all the other stuff that makes this city so damn crowded. Then we can sit in our rotting train yard, you and me, and watch the sun set over our desolate (but not crowded!) city.

Love Stadium, Not PSLs!

As a fairly new season Ticket holder I must admit the prospect of seeing a game in late
December indoors, or a game in October on a rainy day under a roof is inviting! Taking
the train to the games from my home in Putnam County is also very attractive, though
tailgating will be sorely missed! We’ ll figure something out! I just wish we could have
some straightforward answers on the issue of “personal seat licenses”!!!!! I would hate
to have to give up the season tickets I was finally able to get after waiting 20 years to
get them!

James Chetner

From speaking to Jay Cross, my impression is that the Jets are trying damn hard NOT
to use PSLs as a mechanism of financing, but really are not certain yet if they can say
categorically "no." 800 million is a lot of money, but they feel that the return from many
areas (naming rights, suites, etc.)will offset the costs, but until the politicians stop the
grandstanding obstructionism, the Jets won't be able to gauge the actual final cost. So,
write to your representative, call them, email them, send smoke signals, whatever, and let's
build it!

T McM

No to the Stadium?

i would like a westside stadium to be built but without the use of public money.
i feel that the public money, being used to finance construction of the stadium,
can be used to improve our education system, hospitals & neighborhoods.

Roy Bacetty

Hi,

Our schools, hospitals and neighborhoods certainly could use an injection of money!
However, there are two kinds of public money.

The first is your operating costs, like your living budget at home. You measure the amount
of money you are taking in and you budget it. That is NOT the type of money we are talking
about here. (By the way, Madison Square Garden, owned by a billion dollar monopoly, does
not pay a cent of real estate taxes. Real estate taxes produce the money that DOES pay for
the operation of our schools, cops salaries, fire houses, etc. Madison Square Garden was
given this tax break 22 years ago. It was supposed to sunset after ten years, but politicians
like Christine Quinn, Thom Duane and Richard Gottfried are so beholding to the Dolan Gang
that that sunset has gone and set, if you will, costing our city almost $150 million dollars)

The second type of money is like the mortgage in your house. It is an investment in the future.
In most cases, of course, municipalities never see the actual return in dollars and cents, so I
could see making your argument, although I wish you could speak with Mayor Dailey of
Chicago as he discusses the benefits that can come from projects that elevate a city's image
and standing, especially when it looks in the mirror. Why shouldn't New York have access
to the Hudson River, one such improvement that this project will bring? In this case, however,
because of the building's specific location and design, the return on investment has been vetted
by organizations to whom the stadium is anathema, such as the IBO, and who have had to admit
that the stadium does pay for itself.

Now, let's get back to what you said about using public money for schools, hospitals, etc. That
money has to come from someplace. As you now see, we can't count on the politicians making
MSG pay their fair share. In the case of this project, however, the Jets will be paying the MTA
millions of dollars a year for use of air rights over the train yards, and the building, as an extension
of the Javits Center and as a facility in its own right will be bringing in tens of millions of dollars into
the city coffers. That is the money that will pay for our schools, hospitals and neighborhoods through-
out the 21st Century.

Sincerely,

Tom McMorrow, Jr
Founder, WestSideStadium.org

From Across the Pond

Hey, I just wanted to chip in with a view from a Jets fan all the way over in the UK.

I was in New York City last March, and during my stay there, I attended a major event in MSG,
as well as visiting to the Meadowlands (so I have some experience of actually getting to those
two places, from the perspective of someone "living" in the city.) MSG is kinda like the New
York equivalent of the old Wembley Stadium in London. Okay, it's nowhere near as big,
but the comparisons are still there - it's got a lot of history, but (before we pulled it down
to start building a new one) it was out of date and dilapidated. Purely as an indoor events
arena it's fine, but damn, they need to sort out the ways out of the arena for fans. Anyway,
that's not my point here.

The next night, I had to travel to the Meadowlands for an event at
the Continental Airlines Arena. Bearing in mind that there was around 20,000 people in
attendance, the crowds from New York City were a nightmare. The NYC > Meadowlands
bus service was inadequate, with a shortage of buses being laid on, especially on the way to
the arena. I can only imagine what it'd be like for around 80,000 people trying to get from
NYC to the stadium for a game.

The move to the West Side makes an awful lot of sense
though. New York is probably the only city in the Western world with a decent transport
infrastructure (well, compared to anything we have in England, anyways), but I can see the
problem with parking. New York, and especially Manhattan, isn't really designed to have
a large number of people driving through it and parking for a football game. I don't know
what the stats are on this, but I'd imagine that a sizable portion of Jets fans are served (to
some point) by the NYC Subway system? It's clear to me that single-sports stadiums are
NOT the way to go, especially in a city like New York where space is at a premium.
However, you have to consider the capabilities of this. Soccer isn't really big in the States
at the moment, and the Metrostars (with the New York/New Jersey tag) already play at the
Meadowlands. It's not like the Jets, who've adopted New Jersey as a home - but maybe
they could come to some sort of an agreement - like splitting the games between NJ and
NY?

Just one final word in closing: please, do NOT go down the route of having a
corporate name for the stadium or (indeed) taking "inspiration" from another.
Having to endure my soccer team playing at the "Stadium of Light" (when a stadium
of the same name already existed in Portugal) isn't pleasant at all; but it's marginally
better than having a faceless name like "Cablevision Field"...

Ian Hamilton (Sunderland, England)

Propane Solution?

Dear Tom:

I have read about the overwhelming response to tailgating and how it would
effect the fans in regard to the new stadium. While I agree that propane is a
safety hazard traveling through our tunnels, we must inform people that one
or two propane tanks would present a minimal security risk. An incident involving,
and subsequently releasing, propane gas within the tunnel would be contained
locally (in immediate traffic). While this would be unfortunate, it would pose no
greater risk than that of traveling down Interstate 87 or the like. Further, the
design of our tunnels would, indeed, contain such an explosion. At any given time
hundreds of tons of water and river bottom are forcing down on said structure.
This would make it impossible for a breach to be achieved by even several propane
tanks igniting simultaneously. As the tunnels, rightfully so, are off limits to
hazardous materials, I doubt that New York's Finest and The New Jersey State
Police and Port Authority would allow a full truck of propane into the tunnel.

If that is indeed a concern of people or persons to prevent a stadium from being
built (?) may I suggest charcoal and lighter fluid ( ! ). New York NEEDS for
Jets Stadium to be built to end the blight on our West Side. If only our rent
controlled citizens could see it that way I would not be writing and you could
concentrate on more important things than reading silly e-mails.

In Solidarity

Robert Spieler
Montrose NY

An Insightful look at the Question

I support the New York Sports & Convention Center for several reasons.

First, it will spur the City economy and raise City tax revenues more than enough to
pay for itself.

Second, it will provide much needed additional convention and exhibition space.

Third, it will anchor development of a part of Manhattan that has lay fallow for
generations.

Opponents of the project typically raise the following, refutable points:

1.  It will increase traffic.  But the facility will be used as a football stadium
only 10 or 11 times a year, mostly on Sundays when traffic is light.  Most fans will
use mass transit.  The facility will clearly reduce Jets-related traffic in the
metropolitan area since currently about 26,000 vehicles travel to the Meadowlands
for each game - even opponents concede that far fewer vehicles will travel to the
NYSCC for each game.

2.  Government funds should not subsidize development of the far West Side.  But no
one, absolutely no one, has come forward with a viable plan to develop anything on
the rail yard site without government funds to build a platform over the unsightly
rail yards.  Financing building the platform with bonds will generate an
unprecedented $800 million private investment by the Jets in the neighborhood and
will not take a penny from current government operating expenditures.  Financing
building the roof with bonds will allow the facility to be used year-round as a
convention and exhibition space, raising needed revenues for the City and more than
covering the annual debt service on the bonds.  Jets fans do not need a roof - the
Jets have never had a stadium roof in the team's existence.

3.  The facility will cut the neighborhood off from the waterfront.   But the
neighborhood is currently cut off from the waterfront by the unsightly rail yards
and the facility will actually make the waterfront more accessible, including by
decking over the adjacent highway.

4.  We should rebuild Lower Manhattan before we develop the far West Side.  But we
can afford to do both and we must build for the City's future, not just restore part
of what was lost to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

This is not a time for NIMBY - Not In My Backyard.  I live on the West Side and the
positives of this project far outweigh the negatives, for the neighborhood, for
Manhattan, and for the City.

Respectfully,

Michael Evan Avidon


Manhattan Stadium would get this Ct Resident 
into the City! (And by the way, MSG Sucks)

Hi, I wanted to tell you that I support your cause and would love a new
stadium in Manhattan.  Even though I live 90 miles away, I still would
attend events at this stadium.   It would be much better than Giants
Stadium, since I could just take the train in, and would visit the City 
much more often.

Also, MSG really sucks.   They have moved into Hartford and have made 
sure we get very few interesting events and have killed hockey support by
constantly promoting the Rangers with a minor league team to a market 
that always hated that team.

One suggestion though.   The stadium should be wide enough to hold 
soccer, and including soccer dimensions should help the stadium gain the 
support of soccer fans.   They now say they want to hold international matches, but
they should really have a full schedule of soccer.    Also, real grass 
is a must if they want to have soccer, and I don't believe rolling in 
temporary grass will work.    

In my opinion, the plan is flawed but I hope they 
amend it.  This is highly important.

Thanks,

Mike
Hartford, Connecticut


A Reader's Ideas

First of all, I'm hearing that the city does not want
to wait for the July 2005 olympic award date to start 
building the stadium. If the city starts now and
spends the $30 million etc. now, the city will not have any 
money left over for the outer boroughs if no olympics.
But if we get the olympics then the other outer
boroughs projects for the olympic village and fixing
up the Flushing park area, etc. will take place and
all is fair (well at least one thinks, ha,ha). 

So (one way) to solve this problem, is for the city start
spending on more of the outer boroughs now to be
repaid offset by some of earmarked $26 million that is
projected to be generated once the facility is 
opened. The financial mechanism is not within my
expertise but i feel can be worked out.  of course, if
the olympics is awarded to us then things might be
easier to work out.

Now, there is another problem which Jet fans have with
the Westside stadium - that is TAIL-GATING. Now is the
time for the city to come up with a safe plan to build
a park in the vicinity that could accomodate a
potentially large area for the tailgaiters and stores
to buy the food and supplies in the area rather than
Jet Fans carrying it to the games. This has to be made
public now so all the negative stadium feedback by
WFAN can turn to positives. Also, the LIRR gotta make
public its plans for a much closer stop to the stadium
- possibly right underneath the stadium. Maybe also
building NJ trains to stop there also. PUBLIC NOTICE
HAS TO BE MADE NOW spuring positive action now.

And now to the next issue - parking. If only plans
could be made to build special limited PERMIT parking
perhaps - not totally handicapped but enough to
accomodate special needs parking. This is now down at
other inner city stadiums ie Baltimore and Boston.

This might be a start to get this project out the
drawing boards and out to the brick & modor mode NOW!

Thank you,
Charles L. Albert


Time to Bring the Jets Home

Dear Tom,

Me and my family were New York Jet season ticket holders when they
played in Shea Stadium. We had to give them up when they moved to New
Jersey because my late grandfather did not want to go all the way out
there in his condition (he was in a wheelchair). I am now on the waiting
list for tickets. When my name is called, I will get the tickets no
matter where they are but I want the Jets back in New York. I am all for
the West Side Manhattan stadium and I will fight for that (I was at the
City Hall rally on June 3rd), but if that does not work out for whatever
reason, I just want them back. If not Manhattan, somewhere. Anywhere!
Just bring them back home to New York!

Now about names, how about Ewbank Field? Namath Dome? Robert Wood
Johnson Stadium (after Woody's great-grandfather)? Just don't put a
corporate name on it.

Thank you.

Barry A. Rogers

Time to Speak Up!

I live in (Chelsea)
 
I am rarely, maybe never, involved in community activism or "political
activities"; but I must speak up now.
 
I live here too and am very much in favor of the stadium because it will
be good for the city and for small businesses.
 
It's a beautiful design. I look forward to the Big Apple Bowl!
 
Ross Wisdom
Chelsea resident


Attention, New York Jets and MSG!
Sir, I was at the last hearing on Thursday 6/3.  I will be unable to attend 
the up coming hearing this Monday 6/14.  I am sorry but I have to work that 
day.  Just one point that I must ask you to make very loudly when you have the 
floor.  "Cablevision is the force that is behind the opposition."  A tax free 
opposition receiving large tax breaks from this city.  
                                                                            
thank you and good luck.  
                                                                            
Ken Gill

     P. S 
         The Jets need to release to the media and their fans that ticket 
prices willn't go though the roof when the stadium is build.

The Jets need to reach out in two different directions. We all understand that
ticket prices will be higher in the new stadium. $90 to $100 would not surprise 
me in 2009. However, the Jets could go a long way to to solidify their fan base 
by reassuring their fan base that ticket prices won't go through the roof, whether 
that roof is opened or closed. 

Secondly, many marginal local opponents could be swayed if they were convinced that
the traffic problems have been dealt with. I'm convinced, but I have taken the time to 
study the issue. Most people don't have the time. A well placed ad campaign dealing 
with traffic could go a long way here.-Tom McMorrow

Jetsinsider.com Member Signs On, With Reservations


Even though I live 10 minutes from the Meadowlands, I would welcome the opportunity
to use mass transit to travel to our own state-of-the-art facility. I do have a
couple reservations about the move, however. I realize that tailgating as we know it
will cease to exist. We have one of the largest tailgate parties in the NFL at lot
16H(www.jetsinsider.com). I will miss gathering with my friends before the games.
The other concern is with the dimensions of the stadium. It would be ideal for a
football stadium to be built solely for football. In order to accomodate soccer, the
field needs to be a bit larger. This will force the stands further away from the
action.


Good Luck,

Tom McIntosh

Hi Tom,

The nature of coming to a football game will  be different at West Side Stadium than 
at the Meadowlands,no doubt. My understanding is that your group is going to tailgate 
on the Jersey side, then ferry over (maybe in an LST or LCI!) to the stadium. We'd be
happy to print any info jetsinsider.com has on ferry plans. As for configuration, 
the plans call for moveable stands, to keep fans close to the action.

THIS IS GREAT! ALL OTHER BIG CITIES HAVE STADIUM,NYC SHOULD TOO, I MEAN, ITS 
AFTER ALL THE BEST CITY IN THE WORLD! KUDOS TO BUILDINGS THE STADIUM IN 
MANHATTAN!



FROM A HARD WORKIN' MAN


WE THINK SO, TOO!



I live in Rochester, N.Y. and I support the stadium WHOLEHEARTELY as do many jets
fans that I know. We are all sick and tired of the Buffalo Bills saying they are
"NEW YORK'S ONLY TEAM" How can I get a hold of some T-Shirt so us upstate fans can
show support!

Joseph R Moore

Hi, Joseph, see our answer to Sal, below.

Hi,

My name is Sal and I live on 45th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. As an ardent supporter of the stadium, (how could a rational person NOT want 1.4 
billion invested in his neighborhood?) I would love one of your "Build It" 
T-shirts. Where can I get one?

Sal

One way to get a T-Shirt is by attending our rally at City Hall on Thursday, June 3rd.
We'll be posting details on our Upcoming Events page Also, we'll be selling our shirts
online, within the next week or so.

Who Are You?!

As a resident of Hell's Kitchen, I have to wonder, what is the average income 
of your Yes oriented folks.  Do any of you live in Hells Kitchen.  Do any of 
you have an income of less than 50,000 dollars.

In your information you point out all the things that will be added to 
Manhattan including ONE community theater.  One?  Only one?

It seems to me your priority is to sacrifice all of the humanity of Manhattan 
for the bottom line.

Can you really think this 6000 jobs that are permanent is worth it.  Who will 
get these jobs, what kind of jobs are they?  Vendors?  Managers?  Big Deal 
Makers?  

Considering the 8,000,000 plus people in New York it seems to me a paltry 
trade of space and environment to make a few, and very few at that, rich at the 
expense of the ordinary New Yorkers in New York

What about the people displaced by all this building....what about them, just 
move them to some place out of the way, uproot their lives for.....you?

Can you address these questions?

I look forward to your reply.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Fortner
  

Hi Jeremy,

I'm going to print your letter with a response over the next few days.

I live in the area just like you, was born here, etc etc etc. I don't see why I should have to display my voter's registration card or my tax returns for the past ten years because I have a different vision for the future of the west side than you do. But I truly respect your point of view. You took time to compose a letter, and you're clearly passionate over the neighborhood, which is always good. Nothing is better for democracy than debate.

Tom McMorrow

Jeremy Writes in Response...

Thank you, Tom, for responding,

And I apologize for the tone of my questions. I forget that we are all human beings sometimes, its so easy to demonize the perceived opposition. You are right, I shouldn't out of that tone be asking you about income or etc. It wasn't until I read your email that I realized how intrusive and rude my questions were. I certainly wouldn't be jumping at the chance to respond to such an email as you have received from me. You are a gentleman and I agree that nothing is better for democracy than debate. Innuendo and insults are not beneficial to anyone. Best Regards and thanks again for showing me how to remain civil in a debate. Jeremy Fortner

Jeremy,

Thank you so much for your response. No matter what the outcome of this debate, we are New Yorkers, and at least for you and me, Westsiders, which gives us much more common ground than the more strident in our camps would let on.

Why Would Anyone Oppose the Stadium?

Hi! Can't wait for construction to begin on new stadium and World Trade Center. I'm 53 years old and I'm starting to panic if there are any delays. I work for Con Edison and in Manhattan on the East side. We have been hearing rumors that the Con Ed west side location is closing down to make room for the new stadium. Can you give me an update on this and when the construction might begin. I've been working in Manhattan for the last 31 years and know the area of the new stadium very well. For the life of me, I can't understand why anyone in their right mind would not want this for the city. Sometimes I wonder how anything ever gets done with all the red tape. Keep up the good work and this is a great site, just add some updates. Take care,

Mike Dwyer

Makes Sense for the City

Now How About Cheerleaders?

This will bring billions of dollars to the city and create thousands of much needed jobs. The hotel industry will flourish and the greatest city in the world will finally have a football team . Next on the agenda ....cheerleaders?

Homer

Homer, your odyssey with the Jets is about to end with a home on the isle of Manhattan. As for the siren song of cheerleaders, that is in the hands of the Fates.

A Soldier's Letter Home

We received this letter from one of our soldiers serving in the Middle East this morning, Thursday 4-23-04.

I am currently deployed with my unit in Kuwait.

I support the building of a new stadium on the west side and strongly believe it is time to bring our beloved JETS back home!! If there is anything I can do from out here to help the cause, please do not hesitate to write for I will be happy to do whatever I can.

We have to make this happen, it is a great plan not only for the Jets organization, but for the city as a whole. This will greatly increase our chances of landing the Olympics. I've seen the plans that were released to the media. As impossible as it may seem to make my city any more beautiful than it already is, this plan does just that! Please keep me informed of your progress. Thank you.

J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!

Estevan Ferrer,
A CO., 408th AG BN

Dear Estevan,

We'll do our best here in the Big Apple to follow through for you. I promise we will not let you down. We'll send you an update of the meeting, and will keep you posted of all future events.

We're hoping to put together a good strong coalition of New Yorkers such as yourself, who believe in the future of this great city, and who see that future with hope, rather than fear.

God Bless, and know that every American, no matter what their political persuasion, stands united with you and your fellow soldiers.

This is Bigger than just a Stadium

Good Day - Initially, I was against the proposed stadium. I'm a 32 year old LIer that has commuted to the Meadowlands for Jets games since they left Shea that makes the trek 10 times or so annually for the Jets (as well as the Kickoff Classic). The commute has never been a deterrent, not to mention, I thoroughly enjoy the tailgating available at the Meadowlands (which will undoubtedly change if a Westside Stadium comes to fruition). That being said, there is a much bigger picture here, something far more important than tailgating, traffic (which is moot argument due to Sunday games and mass transit), etc.. New York needs this. We need the jobs this stadium will generate. We need the money this stadium and other plan components will generate. We need to continue the revitalization of our great city. Those that oppose this plan are "bureaucrats" that do not have NY and its greater interest in mind. Do not allow this small minority to derail this initiative. It is far more important than simply a stadium where the Jets play or a "carrot" to help solidify NY's 2012 Summer Olympics bid. Good luck, and you have the support on me and everyone else I know.

Stefan E. Dunigan,
Smithtown, New York

Hard Core Jets in the Big Apple

I am in total support of the WEST SIDE STADIUM because I am a hardcore fan of the JETS and I think they should deserve better than to play in their rival's stadium. Also I am so tired of driving into New Jersey and paying all those tolls for bridges and tunnels. I cannot wait for this stadium to be built, not only it brings this city one step closer to host the 2012 summer Olympics but it gives us a greater chance to bring the greatest stage of sports which is the SUPER BOWL. I cannot wait to see how this city will transform in the next couple of years. Let's go JETS! JETS! JETS!

-Peter L

Stadium a Perfect Fit for this City

New stadium in a town forced to rebuild is a perfect fit.........I have Jet season seats,and am behind the relocation 100 %.......I hate the trip to Jersey....if not for the New York Jets ;that I have rooted for since the Titan days ....when I was a teen....I would stay out of that state.........I will use mass transit to grand central and probably walk across town........have lunch or dinner in the times square area or one of the NEW restaurants that the convention center are desperately needs I have never been to an olympics............or a super bowl...........or a final four................ The New Stadium will give me a chance to enjoy all these possibilities.

Thank you for your forum......Howard Berman

Ya know, Howard, Mike and the Mad Dog and their buddies in the media say that we don't exist. According to them, all Jet fans want a stadium in Queens, no if, ands or buts. It would be nice if they would take a few minutes to read these letters from REAL fans, and REAL New Yorkers.

Here's to the Stadium

What a beautiful stadium. As a long time Jet fan I could not be happier. Congrats to all who've gotten the project to this stage. Here's to breaking ground soon.

-Mark

Bigger Pics, Please

I would like to see some bigger pictures of the planned stadium.

Michael

Sure Mike,
click here for stadium pics

Queens Resident Supports Stadium,
but Concerned about Mass Transit

I live in Kew Gardens, Queens. You have my complete support for the NY Sports and Convention Center development and the planned redevelopment of the West Side. Please add me to your mailing list and feel free to use my name in support. I do have one concern, which may give ammunition to our opponents.

I believe the transit demand in the 34th Street Corridor is going to be severely under-served in the current plans. There are major destinations all along 34th Street, including the Fifth Avenue Shopping and Commercial District, the PATH Station, Herald Square, Macy's, MSG, and Penn Station. I am very concerned that pedestrian and transit demands along 34th Street are going to overwhelming, with nothing planned to meet it. This is particularly true, and severe, before and after events at the Stadium, and during major public events at the convention center.

Patrick M. Centolanzi, PE

Thanks for your support, Patrick. Fortunately, there is a project that has been bandied about which would alleviate a lot of the congestion you are worried about. We can thank the late, great Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan for the possible upcoming move of Penn Station to the old Post Office building between 8th and 9th Avenues. That would provide a welcome chance to modernize the entire corridor. The biggest mistake ever made was the destruction of the original Penn. We can't put the genii back in the bottle, but at least we can get a modern station with vastly improved interfacing between the IRT, IND, LIRR, Amtrak and New Jersey Transit lines. Also, the boulevards and parks leading to the stadium will be wide enough to allow plenty of foot traffic. There also is one other possibility which apparently the MTA and city have decided is not practical, but on paper, at least, seems to make a good deal of sense. (See memo to Mayor and Gov)

You Don't Need to be a Jets Fan to Have Common Sense

I just want to send an email showing my support in building a stadium on the West Side. I am not a Jets Fan but I do enjoy football. I get tired of going over to New Jersey having to pay $7.00 toll and parking fees to go see a game. I would much rather take a train and not have to worry about parking or traffic. I wish you well in your endeavors, and may any opposition to you be as little as possible.

I wish you well,

Kwasic J. Brown

Thanks Kwasic. The media seems to have been hijacked the past few days by those with the knee-jerk reaction to the issue, but interestingly, the email that comes through here rings with quite a different voice. Stick to your guns, and we promise we will stick to ours.

Enough with the Swamp, Let's Go West Side Story!