The PACB, consisting of Gov. George Pataki, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, needs to unanimously approve a project before it can move forward. But Silver, after postponing the vote two weeks ago and failing to show up for last week's emergency session (as reported by GlobeSt.com), voted against the project today. He finds fault in the current plan saying it does not meet the needs of the area and as a result he will not support the proposal.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Pataki issued a letter to Silver urging him to approve the $900-million plan and gave yesterday as the final deadline. Pataki added that the state would "have no realistic choice but to invalidate the existing award," referring to the federal and local government money that has been allotted for the project. The governor continued, "It would erode the confidence of our state and federal partners, it will put at risk existing funds, result in the expiration of our option to purchase the Farley Building and will betray the memory of the project namesake."

The governor followed up with a statement late Wednesday afternoon in which he quoted the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan. "The single most exciting thing you encounter in government is competence, because it's so rare." Pataki went on to say Silver proved that statement true with his vote.

"A tremendous amount of cooperative efforts from the city, state and federal governments were expended to piece together the funding, the agreements, the environmental review process, and the glorious designs to create what was to become a station worthy of Sen. Moynihan's name. It is truly infuriating to now have to consider those efforts to be fruitless."

Silver, for his part, has offered two alternative plans which include turning the Farley post office into a home for New Jersey Transit and Long Island Railroad, and also address the need to expand Madison Square Garden to meet area needs.

Instant Insights /

Moynihan Station Debate Continues

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