GregoryFloydandAndrewCuomoGregory Floyd talks with Governor Andrew Cuomo at the announcement of the Javits Center expansion.

 

Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced a major expansion of the 30-year-old Javits Center that would create an additional 1.2 million square feet of event space and New York City’s largest ballroom at the six-block-long complex. The addition in the northern end of the center would provide meeting rooms, new contiguous exhibition halls and outdoor space for conventioneers.

The expansion will quintuple the amount of meeting rooms and ballroom space. Its current size prohibits attracting larger, more profitable shows. Javits’ capacity will increase by 50%.

Although Javits will still not be the largest convention center in the nation — McCormick Place in Chicago is — Javits is the busiest, having very little down time. Events at the Center in 2014 attracted more than 2 million visitors.

Discussing the details of the project in a news conference, the Governor said: “The Javits Center has long been an economic generator for this state. But we want to build and expand it to ensure it remains a premier venue for the next generation.”

State officials are exploring existing resources and other public-private financing to pay for the project. In addition to a boost to the hotel and restaurant industries, more than 4,000 permanent jobs and 2,000 part-time jobs are also projected benefits of the expansion.

Gregory Floyd, President of Teamsters Local 237, attended the press conference and remarked: “I welcome the Governor’s expansion plans for the Javits Center. While this project will certainly mean a boost to the economy of New York, I am especially pleased to hear about the increase in jobs that it will bring. This is good news for our members.”

Floyddiscussesexpansion
Gregory Floyd discusses the expansion with Local 237 members who work as cleaners, security and the set up crew at the Center.

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