Jets aiming for stadium on west side

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD

September 20, 2000 Web posted at: 12:13 PM EDT (1613 GMT)

NEW YORK (The New York Daily News) -- The Jets are actively exploring coming back to New York, and City Hall is trying to drive the concept over the goal line.

Hoping to push for a stadium in Manhattan, perhaps as part of a plan to bring the 2012 Olympics here, the Giuliani administration is looking for ways to bankroll a subway expansion to get Gang Green fans to any new park.

Asked yesterday whether he had been speaking with the Jets about moving the team from the Meadowlands to a new West Side stadium, Mayor Giuliani replied, "Yes."

When asked to elaborate about the discussions, he said, "It's confidential."

Building a stadium on the West Side rail yards, which run between 10th Ave. and the West Side Highway from W. 30th St. to W. 33rd St., remains a distant, costly target.

But Giuliani appears increasingly committed to the idea that the gritty neighborhood could one day be transformed into the home of a professional sports team and a hub for offices, stores and apartments.

Mayoral aides said a proposal is being discussed that would use property tax dollars from expected development near a stadium to finance an extension of the No. 7 line, which would be needed to move fans to the area.

"Whether it be the Yankees, the Jets, the Mets, the Giants, [the mayor] really thinks New York lacks that huge facility to host major events," said a senior aide.

The Jets organization, which had no comment yesterday, formed a subsidiary this year to look for sites for a new stadium.

In January, owner Woody Johnson predicted the team would move to a new home after its lease at Giants Stadium expires in 2008. Johnson also has hired a group of consultants to help steer the project, including former Deputy Mayor Peter Powers, one of Giuliani's oldest friends.

Last year, the mayor proposed enticing the team back to New York with a domed stadium built on a giant platform over the rail yards.

But mayoral aides concede there is much uncertainty. The yards are on state land, and Giuliani has long had an uneasy relationship with Gov. Pataki.

And although the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is studying extending the No. 7 line to the Jacob Javits Convention Center, it's unclear how such a monumental project could be funded or when it could be built.

Some critics have suggested that the stadium, which would stand near the mouth of the Lincoln Tunnel, would turn the neighborhood into a traffic nightmare.

"There is a history with the Jets wanting to come back," said City Councilman Herbert Berman (D-Brooklyn), who heads the Finance Committee. "But you can't do it without the No. 7 extension."

Also, the organization leading the effort to lure the 2012 Olympics to the city is expected to pitch a West Side stadium in its application to hold the Games.

For more Local news, myCNN.com will bring you news from the areas and subjects you select.

New York Jets

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

CT, New Haven, WTNH DC, Washington, WJLA MD, Baltimore, WBFF MA, Boston, WCVB MA, Springfield, WGGB MA, Boston, WHDH MA, Boston, WLVI MA, Springfield, WWLP NH, Manchester, WMUR NY, Albany, WNYT NY, Albany/Schenectady, WRGB NY, Binghamton, WBNG   NY, Binghamton, WICZ NY, Buffalo, WIVB NY, Buffalo, WKBW NY, Elmira, WETM NY, New York, NY1 NY, New York, WPIX NY, Rochester, R News NY, Syracuse, WIXT NY, Syracuse, WTVH NY, Watertown, WWNY NY, Watertown, WWTI   PA, Allentown, WFMZ PA, Altoona, WTAJ PA, Erie, WSEE PA, Harrisburg, WGAL PA, Harrisburg, WHP-TV PA, Harrisburg, WLYH PA, Harrisburg, WPMT PA, Philadelphia, WPHL PA, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, WYOU RI, Providence, WNAC RI, Providence, WPRI