Bloomberg shouldn’t try to scare NYers into supporting stadium

September 16, 2004

So here's the deal, New Yorkers. Either you stop with the time-wasting questions about a new $1.4-billion West Side stadium for the New York Jets, or the city will have to walk away from the global scrimmage for the 2012 Olympics.

The threat from Mayor Michael Bloomberg - delivered last Sunday at a Jets game in New Jersey - was startling. If the stadium static doesn't end soon, the mayor essentially warned, we can kiss the Olympics goodbye.

He might have sounded like the quintessential peevish papa - "Don't make me take your Olympics away!" - save for one thing: He needs $600 million in city and state cash to help the Jets pay for new Manhattan digs. Taxpayers and politicians should debate this expense at length.

And if the back and forth costs us the Olympics? Too bad.

But that's a doubtful outcome. The mayor would have us think that it's the West Side site or nothing - both for the Jets and for the city's Olympics bid. Yet lots of accessible land is available in Flushing that could accommodate - with little fuss - a Jets stadium that might double as an Olympics grandstand should the city land the 2012 games.

If neither the Jets nor the mayor have backups for their embattled West Side proposal, then New Yorkers might want to ask why. Neither Albany nor City Hall has money to burn these days. A careful scrutiny of sites is mandatory.

Meanwhile, the city's $600 million ante could lead to other costs. For example: Once the Jets have paid $800 million for the stadium and government has supplied $600 million, how will people get to this structure - on the far West Side of Manhattan near the Hudson River? Answer: An extension of the No. 7 subway line will become a necessity.

Bloomberg's aides say the line could be extended without costing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority or the taxpayers much money. Maybe so. But their scheme leaves room for debate. If they're wrong, would it make sense to delay, say, the Second Avenue subway project because the No. 7 extension must be finished in time to serve the Jets?

No way. And what about the Javits Convention Center? Is a stadium next door the best way to enlarge its capacity? The question hasn't been thoroughly vetted.

There's much in Bloomberg's plan to debate. A decision on this stadium will have lasting repercussions. He shouldn't try to scare New Yorkers into a premature choice.