1,200-Foot Tower Planned Near Grand Central Terminal
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York City officials have announced rezoning plans for the area around Grand Central Terminal, including new skyscrapers and transportation improvements.
The plan will include a 1,200-foot tower tower directly west of Grand Central that will have a public waiting room for commuters. The plan also includes transforming a section of Vanderbilt Avenue into a pedestrian mall.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday that the plan will keep New York City competitive through strategic investments.
"These are the kind of policies that won't just pay off today, but will lay the groundwork to keep districts like East Midtown thriving and attracting new business for decades to come," he said.
Council Member Dan Garodnick said in exchange, the builders would provide major improvements on the Lexington Avenue subway platforms and a connection to the terminal as well as the coming east side access.
"Those will be paid for by the developers and also will be delivered before the buildings themselves are built, which is a very important point," he told WCBS 880's Rich Lamb.
Alicia Glen, deputy mayor for housing and economic development, told 1010 WINS' Juliet Papa that key part of the makeover will make commuters happy.
"One of the key priorities has been how do we begin to improve the transit access both within the station itself and also above ground," she said.
The plan to rezone a five-block corridor in the east midtown neighborhood will have to go through the city's land-use review process.
The development plan is an updated version of former Mayor Michael Bloomberg's failed plan to rezone a 73-block swath of midtown. De Blasio promised to offer his own proposal for the area during his election campaign.
For more information on the plan, click here.
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