A rendering of the entrance to the proposed
Observation Deck at One World Trade Center
(above), which will feature spectacular views of
the region from more than 1,250 feet above
Lower Manhattan (below).
Vol. 8, No. 1, March 2013
BRIEFS
Irish PM Visits WTC
on St. Patrick's Day
Prime Minister of Ireland Enda
Kenny (second from right)
celebrated St. Patrick's Day by
becoming the world's first
international leader to visit the very
top of One World Trade Center,
where he described the view as
"mind blowing." Mr. Kenny was
joined by (from right) Executive
Director Pat Foye, Deputy
Executive Director Bill Baroni, and
National September 11 Memorial &
Museum President and CEO Joe
Daniels.
KLM Launches Pilot Test
of Biofuel-Powered
International Flights at JFK
The international aerospace
community marked a new
milestone in sustainable aviation in
early March with the launch of a
first-ever series of biofuel-powered
intercontinental flights.
As part of a 25-week pilot program
undertaken by KLM Royal Dutch
Airlines (KLM) -- in partnership with
the Schiphol Group, Delta Air Lines
and The Port Authority of New
York and New Jersey -- a KLM
B777-200 fueled in part by biofuel,
departed from JFK International
Airport for Schiphol Amsterdam
Airport on March 8.
Port Authority Selects Legends Hospitality
to Develop, Operate One WTC Observation Deck
Governors Andrew Cuomo
and Chris Christie
announced on March 19
the selection of nationally
renowned Legends
Hospitality, LLC (Legends),
to develop and operate the
observation deck at the top
of One World Trade
Center. The selection will
provide The Port Authority
of New York and New
Jersey with a projected
$875 million in revenue
over the term of the 15-
year lease, the largest
amount of any of the
submitted bids.
The Port Authority Board of
Commissioners approved
an agreement with
Legends at its March 20
meeting.
The winning design for One World Observatory, submitted by
Legends, will take visitors on a dynamic journey that tells the story of
New York City and One World Trade Center as guests ascend to the
top of the iconic skyscraper to enter the observation deck.
One World Observatory will provide visitors with spectacular views of
New York City and the surrounding region from more than 1,250 feet
high in the air. The venue is projected to draw an estimated 3.8 million
annual visitors to the top of what is the tallest building in New York and
soon will be the tallest structure in the Western Hemisphere.
Port Authority to Recruit
175 Police Officers
The Port Authority announced on
March 11 that it has notified
applicants regarding the selection
process for the agency's 112th
Police Academy. The new class,
which will begin in August, will train
up to 175 police officers as part of
its ongoing reform efforts to
restructure the department and
ensure it effectively meets its
policing and security mission.
Did you Know?
The Port of New York and New
Jersey is the third busiest port in
the United States and handles the
highest volume of general cargo of
any port on the East Coast of
North America. Take a virtual tour
of the port.
Public Meetings
The schedule of public meetings of
the Port Authority Board of
Commissioners is published on the
Port Authority website. Minutes
and actions from previous Board of
Commissioners meetings are also
available on the site. Webcasts
from the March 20 Board and
committee meetings are also
available online.
Read more at WTCProgress.com.
Board Approves Construction for LaGuardia Parking Garage
The Port Authority's Board of Commissioners authorized an $82.9
million design and construction contract for a new East Parking
Garage at LaGuardia Airport. The move is a critical early step toward
the airport's modernization that will culminate with the replacement of
the nearly half-century-old Central Terminal Building (CTB).
Approximately 1,100 vehicle spaces will be included in the new lot,
which crews will build opposite Terminal C, home to Delta Air Lines.
The new garage will accommodate the increasing volume of Delta
passengers using Terminals C and D, as the airline modernizes both
of those terminals.
Work on the garage will begin this year and is scheduled for
completion by February 2015, before the demolition of Parking Lot 2
where the new Central Terminal Building will be located.
The Port Authority estimates the project will directly and indirectly
create 500 jobs, $33 million in wages and $140 million in economic
activity. Currently, there are seven parking lots consisting of 6,800
public spaces at LaGuardia, producing almost $41 million in gross
revenues and about $24 million in net revenues annually.
Read more.
Port Authority to Manage Atlantic City Airport
The Port Authority's Board of Commissioners authorized the agency to
negotiate the terms of an operating agreement for the Atlantic City
International Airport, which is currently owned and operated by the
South Jersey Transportation Authority.
In September 2012, the Port Authority's Board authorized a feasibility
study of the possible takeover of Atlantic City International. The
Board's action was an outgrowth of 2007 bi-state legislation that
permitted the Port Authority to establish an additional air terminal in
New York and another in New Jersey. In November 2007, the Port
Authority acquired a leasehold interest in Stewart International Airport
near Newburgh, New York, as a regional reliever commercial airport
for John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty
International airports.
The agreement is expected to be effective July 1.
