Politicians Rally for NYU's Overhaul of 370 Jay Street

Yesterday a bunch of politicians held a rally in support of NYU’s proposal to build out a grad school at 370 Jay Street, the former MTA building in Downtown Brooklyn that’s been in sorry shape for years. The group, which included Borough President Marty Markowitz, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblywoman Joan Millman and Councilwoman Letitia James, said the city should allocate funds to the university as a runner-up winner in the competition Cornell was named the winner of earlier this week. Markowitz said that while Cornell’s plans to build a science center on Roosevelt Island are “wonderful,” according to the Daily News, “370 Jay Street is practically empty, doing nothing now but housing some switches.” Squadron noted that compared to Cornell’s plans, the NYU rehab of 370 Jay could be accomplished “for pennies on the dollar.” NYU is looking for $20-$25 million in city funding for the proposed grad center. Councilwoman James said Brooklyn should be about more than “basketball and burgers,” according to the Eagle, and that it should also be about “books and brains.” The mayor has said that funding for a proposal other than Cornell’s could be decided on within the next few weeks.
Rally Boosts Science Center At 370 Jay St [Eagle]
Brooklyn Pols Still Pushing for NYU Downtown Brooklyn Plan [NY Daily News]
NYU’s Plans for 370 Jay Street May Still Happen [Brownstoner]