Bidding On Spaces Could Mean Big Changes For Metro-North Station Businesses
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - Businesses at Metro-North Railroad stations could find themselves replaced.
Station businesses have been on month-to-month deals since their leases expired and the MTA is all aboard an effort to maximize income.
In fact, by law, when a lease expires, the space has to go out for bid, officials told the Journal News.
Bidding On Spaces Could Mean Big Changes For Metro-North Station Businesses
Robert Ferrari at the North White Plains station is thinking about a bid on the space where he's supplied commuters with newspapers and coffee for 23 years.
"I completely understand. It's something that they have to do and, if it works out, or Starbucks comes in and gives them a $100,000 renovation... Well, God bless them," Ferrari told WCBS 880 reporter Paul Murnane.
But he'd like to stay.
"After a while, you just kind of get used to doing what you do," he said.
Some stations may be leased out entirely, shifting from the MTA the burden of maintaining those buildings.
The way the MTA sees it, suburban downtowns get new businesses and the MTA earns new rent.
A spokesman called it a win win.
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