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WASHINGTON (AP) -
Billions of dollars in aid earmarked for New York's
recovery from Sept. 11 could be used to build a new
train station near the World Trade Center site, under
a plan federal and state officials were preparing to
present Monday.
The new $4.5 billion
station would connect New York City subway lines with
PATH commuter trains to New Jersey, said federal
government sources, who spoke Friday on condition of
anonymity. In essence, the plan loosens up billions of
dollars in previously restricted aid from the Federal
Emergency Management Agency ( news
- web
sites).
The station could be a
major shot in the arm for lower Manhattan as it
recovers from the terrorist attacks that toppled the
twin towers. Local officials are still working on a
development plan for the 16-acre site.
New York City has $21.4
billion in the pipeline from Washington to help it
recover from Sept. 11. The largest chunk of that money
— almost $9 billion — is from FEMA; by law, there
are many restrictions on how that money can be spent.
In negotiations in
March with White House budget officials, Sen. Charles
Schumer ( news,
bio,
voting
record), D-N.Y., lobbied to loosen restrictions on
FEMA money. Schumer also secured $1.8 billion through
the Department of Transportation.
"We need a Grand
Central Station for lower Manhattan," Schumer
said in a May speech before the Association for a
Better New York in Manhattan. "If we want to make
lower Manhattan a truly grand community, it needs a
truly grand station."
FEMA aid has usually
been used to rebuild structures as they existed before
a disaster. New York officials have been reluctant to
rebuild the lower Manhattan's transit system without
making improvements.
A FEMA spokesman had no
comment Friday.
Transportation projects
are expected to eat up the largest portion of the New
York aid. Some $7 billion in projects have already
been identified.
Reuben Jeffrey, special
adviser to the president on lower Manhattan
redevelopment, told The Associated Press last week he
expected "FEMA to play a significant financial
and advisory role in restructuring the transportation
grid of lower Manhattan."
He added that the
transit system "will be built to 21st century
standards for 21st century needs."
New York Gov. George
Pataki, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and
other officials are expected to make an announcement
Monday. |
