After a $3 billion overhaul of the Penn Station, Governor Andrew Cuomo announces another major redevelopment in Manhattan for a $1 billion expansion of the Jacob K. Javits Center. Just recently, the building undergone a $500 million renovation but it appears that Cuomo wants to see more improvements in the structure, 6sqft. reported.
Governor Cuomo is planning to expand the center by 1.2 million square feet especially that many are criticizing that the area is merely 2.1 million-square-foot which is too small for the facility.
The project is set to begin in late 2016 wherein the bill will be carried by The Javits Center, owned by the Empire State Development Corporation. The plan for extension will drive more events in the convention center since it will already have a total of 3.3 million square feet area.
“The Javits Center has long been an economic generator for this state, but we want to build and expand it to ensure it remains a premier venue for the next generation,” Cuomo said in a statement, according to Real Deal.
The expansion will feature different components like a new 58,000-square-foot ballroom which would be the largest room in the northeast. There will also be five times more meeting space with a new exhibition hall and meeting rooms which will have a total of 650,000 square feet expanded space.
For outdoor events, there is a total of 22,000 square feet which would join the convention center's enormous green roof. There will also be a four-level, 633,000-square-foot truck garage that will create more space for around 20,000 trucks in the streets.
Cuomo also revealed that the expansion may also create jobs including 4,000 full-time and 2,000 part-time jobs. This will no doubt boost the hotel industry in the area.
"The Javits Center is the busiest convention center in the country," Cuomo said, Curbed reported. "But we have to grow to stay ahead."
