Comments on: Ravitch-led commission faced with daunting task http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/05/06/ravitch-led-commission-faced-with-daunting-task/ A New York City Subway Blog Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:53:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways » Blog Archive » After the hike, MTA ridership still on the climb http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/05/06/ravitch-led-commission-faced-with-daunting-task/#comment-35687 Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways » Blog Archive » After the hike, MTA ridership still on the climb Thu, 15 May 2008 12:40:45 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=847#comment-35687 [...] with many people working behind the scenes to plot the plan’s next move. In all likelihood, Richard Ravitch’s commission will recommend a form of congestion pricing to fund the MTA. And when that time comes, the [...] [...] with many people working behind the scenes to plot the plan’s next move. In all likelihood, Richard Ravitch’s commission will recommend a form of congestion pricing to fund the MTA. And when that time comes, the [...]

]]> By: Marc Shepherd http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/05/06/ravitch-led-commission-faced-with-daunting-task/#comment-35140 Marc Shepherd Wed, 07 May 2008 13:42:40 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=847#comment-35140 I'm all in favor of leveraging under-utilized real estate, but I don't think it can produce the kind of dramatic financial lift that the MTA needs. It would probably be a distant fifth. Some of ideas you mentioned also have long lead times (constructing a restaurant), and others would have only a <em>de minimis</em> effect (City Hall station). I’m all in favor of leveraging under-utilized real estate, but I don’t think it can produce the kind of dramatic financial lift that the MTA needs. It would probably be a distant fifth.

Some of ideas you mentioned also have long lead times (constructing a restaurant), and others would have only a de minimis effect (City Hall station).

]]> By: Streetsblog » Today’s Headlines http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/05/06/ravitch-led-commission-faced-with-daunting-task/#comment-35139 Streetsblog » Today’s Headlines Wed, 07 May 2008 13:01:47 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=847#comment-35139 [...] Plan to Cut Traffic, Fund Transit (News)Ravitch Commission Results Won't Be Popular With Lawmakers (2nd Ave Sagas)Fewer New Yorkers Opting for Taxis (News)Paterson Gets a Grip on Port Authority Spoils [...] [...] Plan to Cut Traffic, Fund Transit (News)Ravitch Commission Results Won’t Be Popular With Lawmakers (2nd Ave Sagas)Fewer New Yorkers Opting for Taxis (News)Paterson Gets a Grip on Port Authority Spoils [...]

]]> By: ScottE http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/05/06/ravitch-led-commission-faced-with-daunting-task/#comment-35021 ScottE Tue, 06 May 2008 12:59:10 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=847#comment-35021 Those are the only four revenue sources? What about real-estate? There are concession stands out there that remain unused; advertising space which is underutilized, and acres of land above rail yards in Manhattan and Brooklyn which can be put to better use. Rent out space for an ATM or a Coke machine at some commuter rail stops. Let McDonalds put a restaurant at Smith-9th Street provided they incorporate a new subway entrance (and make sure they maintain the escalators). Do something productive with the old City Hall station. Lease the radio waves in the stations and tunnels to cell phone companies (in a deal that will work). Lease the sound waves at 42nd Street/Times Square to Sony Music, so they can promote their latest releases through speakers in the vast mezzanine (then people can go to the record store and buy it!). Sell the sound rights at the Rockefeller Center station to NBC. The MTA has so much real estate in the region that I find it hard to believe that they can't count on it as a revenue stream. Those are the only four revenue sources? What about real-estate? There are concession stands out there that remain unused; advertising space which is underutilized, and acres of land above rail yards in Manhattan and Brooklyn which can be put to better use.

Rent out space for an ATM or a Coke machine at some commuter rail stops. Let McDonalds put a restaurant at Smith-9th Street provided they incorporate a new subway entrance (and make sure they maintain the escalators).
Do something productive with the old City Hall station. Lease the radio waves in the stations and tunnels to cell phone companies (in a deal that will work). Lease the sound waves at 42nd Street/Times Square to Sony Music, so they can promote their latest releases through speakers in the vast mezzanine (then people can go to the record store and buy it!). Sell the sound rights at the Rockefeller Center station to NBC.

The MTA has so much real estate in the region that I find it hard to believe that they can’t count on it as a revenue stream.

]]>