STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR PATERSON ON MOYNIHAN STATION

I commend and thank Senator Schumer for helping ensure that Moynihan Station remains a top priority. Senator Schumer has long been a supporter of Moynihan Station and we look forward to his continued support as the state continues to advocate for vital federal funds for a project of national import.  

Moynihan Station is an important project to me – and to all New Yorkers. The project will have a lasting economic impact on our state as a whole. The Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the Port Authority, our private partners, the developers and Amtrak are all working tirelessly and cooperatively to make this project a reality. ESDC has made tremendous progress over the last year on the project including: the purchase of the Farley building, the release of the scoping documents for the environmental process and work on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. In addition ESDC has been working with the developers and other partners on finalizing the funding package for the station.  This work will continue as we transition to a new Chairman at Downstate ESDC.

The immediate task we have in front of us is to secure the necessary funding and complete the environmental process.  New York State is willing to lead by example in helping to provide funding for this project, but we can't do it alone. We will need commitments from the developers, New York City, and the federal government to make this project a reality. It is critically important that we ensure that this project is on firm financial footing, especially given the challenging fiscal times facing all levels of government.

I will consider the suggestion of Senator Schumer as well as suggestions from other stakeholders. Certainly the Port Authority has expertise in developing major transportation projects and has always played an important role in funding major regional transportation projects. I will be evaluating their future role as a partner in this project in the days ahead.