HEVESI: JETS BELONG IN QUEENS

By TATIANA DELIGIANNAKIS

May 23, 2005 -- State Comptroller Alan Hevesi yesterday said he'd rather see a new Jets stadium in Queens than on Manhattan's West Side.

"No one has explained to my satisfaction why Queens isn't a better location," Hevesi said.

"In Queens, there's the U.S. Open stadium, which produces the second-most economic activity of any sports venue in the city after the Yankees."

Hevesi noted that there is a slew of lawsuits challenging the Jets' proposed Manhattan home above the MTA-owned West Side rail yards.

The Jets have said that if they do not win approval for the West Side stadium, they would continue playing in Giants stadium in New Jersey rather than consider a Queens home.