The unanimous vote means that the next steps for the project include a public hearing which will be held next month. After a 30-day comment period, the plan must then be affirmed by the CCDC and ESDC boards. The GPP must also be approved by the Javits Operating Corp. and the Public Authority Control Board.

A spokesperson for the Hell's Kitchen/Hudson Yards Alliance, a coalition of elected officials and community leaders from the West Side of Manhattan, says that while the group "strongly support a major expansion for Javits, this plan isn't good enough. We are disappointed that the Development Corporation Board is voting today on a draft plan for Javits that falls short on the promised expansion. This is a desperate attempt to demonstrate some concrete progress on a major taxpayer-funded initiative."

This first phase of the two phase expansion will increase exhibit and meeting room space to more than approximately 1.3 million sf. The project will also include the construction of a Convention Center Headquarters Hotel and the creation of a multifunction, screening, loading and marshalling facility. By the completion of Phase I, the Javits Center will more than double in size.

The plan also creates a new park area at 11th Avenue between 39th and 40th streets and leaves 40th Street open to pedestrian access from the adjacent waterfront and ferry terminal. The plan will also upgrade, modernize and revitalize the existing Javits, replace existing mechanical systems and generally bring the facility into a state of good repair. There will be 3.2 acres of new publicly accessible open space created along 11th Avenue.

Mixed-use development of the 33/34 Site would also be allowed through the plan, with up to one million gross sf of residential development above grade, up to approximately 1.45 million gross sf of commercial development above grade, and up to 500 parking spaces allowed within the design guidelines.

The cost of Phase I, including both construction costs, land acquisition and other non-construction costs is approximately $1.7 billion. Pre-construction activities are planned for late spring with groundbreaking scheduled for late summer. Phase I expansion and renovation is expected to be finished in 2010.

Instant Insights /

UPDATE: Javits Center Project Plan Wins Approval

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