{"id":348007,"date":"2021-10-04T01:07:56","date_gmt":"2021-10-03T22:07:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/amazon-project-slayer-gianaris-opposes-cuomos-airtrain\/"},"modified":"2021-10-04T01:07:56","modified_gmt":"2021-10-03T22:07:56","slug":"amazon-project-slayer-gianaris-opposes-cuomos-airtrain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/amazon-project-slayer-gianaris-opposes-cuomos-airtrain\/","title":{"rendered":"#Amazon project slayer Gianaris opposes Cuomo&#8217;s &#8216;AirTrain&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;<strong>#Amazon project slayer Gianaris opposes Cuomo&#8217;s &#8216;AirTrain&#8217;<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n        <\/aside>\n<p>He wants to ground another of disgraced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo\u2019s pet projects.<\/p>\n<p>State Sen. Michael Gianaris, a powerful Queens lawmaker instrumental in killing Cuomo\u2019s signature deal to have e-tail giant Amazon open a headquarters along the borough\u2019s waterfront, is now setting his sights on the \u201cwrong way\u201d $2.1 billion \u201cAirTrain\u201d between LaGuardia Airport and Eastern Queens.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think we should put a stop to building this particular proposal and find the best option available,\u201d said Gianaris, the deputy majority leader of the Senate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe LaGuardia AirTrain is significantly over budget,\u201d said Gianaris, the deputy majority leader of the Senate.<\/p>\n<p>The LGA AirTrain was a top priority of Cuomo, who pushed the project through despite opposition from some transit advocates and even officials at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the big-state agency which oversees the regional airports and would build and operate the LGA AirTrain.<\/p>\n<p>Cuomo\u2019s replacement, Gov. Kathy Hochul, said she\u2019s reviewing whether to proceed with the AirTrain project. Her most recent comments have been lukewarm at best.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"546\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-07.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"The AirTrain would connect LaGuardia Airport to Eastern Queens.\" class=\"wp-image-19684253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-07.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-07.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-07.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>The AirTrain would connect LaGuardia Airport to Eastern Queens.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">AbetterwaytoLGA.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Gianaris\u2019 opposition puts Hochul in a tough spot, given his leadership role in the Senate. She needs the Senate Democratic majority to back her agenda next year while likely facing a stiff Democratic primary re-election challenge.<\/p>\n<p>Critics, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, question the logic of the route, which would require Manhattan-bound riders to first <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/trip-and-travel\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"10\" title=\"Trip &amp; Travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">travel<\/a> east \u2014 away from the island or the \u201cwrong way\u201d\u2014 before connecting to the crowded 7 subway line at Willets Point and then heading back west. They said it\u2019s faster to take a cab or bus to midtown and the cost doesn\u2019t justify the number of riders who would use it.<\/p>\n<p>A cross-section of Queens lawmakers representing racially, ethnically and ideologically diverse neighborhoods across the borough now oppose AirTrain.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-02.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has also been critical of the AirTrain project.\" class=\"wp-image-19684257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-02.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-02.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-02.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has also been critical of the AirTrain project.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Photo by Scott Heins\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Sen. Jessica Ramos, who represents the East Elmhurst neighborhood by LaGuardia Airport, opposes the project, as does Sens Leroy Comrie, who chairs the committee that oversees the PA as well as Sens. John Liu and Toby Stavisky, who represent eastern and central Queens.<\/p>\n<p>Liu, the former city comptroller who represents North Eastern Queens, which is served by the 7 train, told The Post on Sunday he\u2019s against the LGA AirTrain as currently designed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA modernized transit link to LaGuardia Airport is vital to our region\u2019s vitality and should be pursued in a collaborative and sustainable matter. The plan as currently conceived is far from that and should be returned to the drawing board,\u201d Liu said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cInfrastructure projects of this size, scope and cost must always consider benefits to the im<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a>tely impacted community as well as to the greater region.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stavisky said, \u201cI believe the AirTrain project needs to be put on hold. Valid concerns have been raised about the <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>roval process for the project, the practicality of its design and the overall cost.\u00a0 LaGuardia Airport requires improved mass transit access, and we need a thorough review of the current plans before making such a seismic investment.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/john-liu.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"State Sen. John Liu said the plans for the AirTrain should &quot;be returned to the drawing board.&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-19684321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/john-liu.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/john-liu.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/john-liu.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>State Sen. John Liu said the plans for the AirTrain should \u201cbe returned to the drawing board.\u201d<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Dan Herrick   <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Gianaris \u2014 whose Astoria\/Long Island City district borders LaGuardia Airport from the west \u2014 agreed with critics\u2019 arguments that the AirTrain is misguided.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe current proposal would have people taking the overcrowded 7 train and then doubling back. A lot of people won\u2019t take advantage,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>He added, \u201cIt\u2019s about getting people to the airport faster and getting out of their cars.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But Gianaris claimed the AirTrain would do the opposite \u2014 having people driving to Willet\u2019s Point to park their cars and then get on the AirTrain, turning the area into a giant parking lot<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI believe it would encourage driving, not discourage it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s a value to connecting LaGuardia Airport to the subway system \u2014 but it has to make sense. The current AirTrain project is not the best option. There are better ways to encourage people to get to and from LaGuardia than through this project.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"696\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-06.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"A map of the AirTrain's proposed service.\" class=\"wp-image-19684291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-06.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-06.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-06.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>A map of the AirTrain\u2019s proposed service.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">AbetterwaytoLGA.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Gianaris said Cuomo pressured the Port Authority, controlled by New York board members he appointed, to approve the AirTrain project with flimsy and slanted analysis.<\/p>\n<p>He also said new federal rules allow for other alternatives such as the extension of the subway line to the airport.<\/p>\n<p>The N\/W train in Astoria is the closest train line to LaGuardia Airport.<\/p>\n<p>Gianaris said extending an elevated N\/W line along Astoria Boulevard and the Grand Central Parkway is an option worth exploring, without cutting through residential areas. Previous attempts to extend the subway line from Astoria to LaGuardia were thwarted by community opposition because of the disruption it would cause.<\/p>\n<p>The PA has defended the project as an enormous environmental and economic plus for Queens and the city.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe LaGuardia AirTrain will create a reliable and affordable rail link to LaGuardia Airport, while removing millions of cars from local streets and highways, and creating 3,000 good-paying union construction jobs along with $500 million in opportunities for Queens-based minority- and women-owned businesses,\u201d the PA said in a previous statement.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA robust package of community benefits includes $50 million to provide massive capital upgrades and long-term maintenance at the Malcolm X Promenade at Flushing Bay and other local parks, the planting of 5,000 new trees in the community, middle school STEM programs, and full-tuition college scholarships for local students.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Federal Aviation Administration approved the LGA Airtrain project, despite its own analysis that it won\u2019t shave travel time and could take longer than a cab ride into Manhattan.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"674\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-05.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1024\" alt=\"A rendering of the AirTrain's station.\" class=\"wp-image-19684297\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-05.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-05.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-05.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>A rendering of the AirTrain\u2019s station.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">AbetterwaytoLGA.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The PA noted that 80 percent of the more than 120 people who attended FAA hearings on the AirTran project endorsed it.<\/p>\n<p>PA sources also claim said extending the N\/W line from Astoria to the airport is not feasible and express frustration that opponents have not offered viable alternatives. <\/p>\n<p>Supporters include the Queens Chamber of Commerce.<\/p>\n<p>Gianaris was the pivotal institutional figure in scuttling the Cuomo-negotiated deal for Amazon to locate a massive East Coast headquarters along the Long Island City waterfront, in his district. He was miffed that he wasn\u2019t consulted on the details of the agreement with the city and state, and objected to providing one of the largest global companies with $3 billion in tax and other government subsidies.<\/p>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins appointed Amazon foe Gianaris as her rep to an obscure panel, the state Public Authorities Control Board, which had the power to stymie or block the project. Amazon withdrew its plan to build a campus in LIC on Feb. 14, 2019 \u2013shortly after Gianaris was given the post to block the ambitious project.\n                        <\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2021\/10\/03\/amazon-project-slayer-gianaris-opposes-cuomos-airtrain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#Amazon project slayer Gianaris opposes Cuomo&#8217;s &#8216;AirTrain&#8217;&#8221; He wants to ground another of disgraced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo\u2019s pet projects. State Sen. Michael Gianaris, a powerful Queens lawmaker instrumental in killing Cuomo\u2019s signature deal to have e-tail giant Amazon open a headquarters along the borough\u2019s waterfront, is now setting his sights on the \u201cwrong way\u201d $2.1&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":348008,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/airtrain-hp.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1024","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[116975,116778,70430,98806,74167,11247],"class_list":["post-348007","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-10-3-21","tag-airtrain","tag-andrew-cuomo","tag-kathy-hochul","tag-laguardia-airport","tag-queens"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348007","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=348007"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348007\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/348008"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=348007"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=348007"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=348007"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}