Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bloomberg Wants To Fill The City With Science Nerds
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 16, 2010
Modified Dec 16, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 16, 2010
Modified Dec 16, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
You might not realize it because of all the incredible innovations and inventions that are bursting from the city on a regular basis, but NYC has a bit of an inferiority complex when it comes to the sciences and engineering. Oh sure, we know everything when it comes to fashion, media and finance, but we're lacking those basic, nerdy fundamentals that could take us to the next level. Thankfully, Mayor Bloomberg and his administration have finally turned their attentions to this problem, by trying to woo academic institutions to build a top-tier applied-science facility here.
And don't think they aren't willing to give you a little something-something if you come here: “To make it happen we are prepared to make a significant capital contribution and possibly offer city sites,” said Robert K. Steel, deputy mayor for economic development, according to Wall Street Journal. The city has humble ambitions: to become an East Coast version of Silicon Valley (Boston doesn't never counts). Some sites that are being considered for the new institution include city-owned Navy Hospital Campus at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, development sites on Governor’s Island, the Goldwater Hospital Campus on Roosevelt Island and the Farm Colony on Staten Island.
Mayor Bloomberg said: “New York City has all the ingredients to compliment an applied science and engineering hub: a highly educated global population, unparalleled financial and business community to provide capital and support for new ventures and existing top-notch institutions performing cutting-edge research. We want to capitalize on those strengths.” Maybe he'll take a page from his own playbook, and hire a very well-qualified businesswoman who has tons of scientific experience to run the whole thing without any fuss.
Tagged
engineering
mayor bloomberg
schools
science
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
A sixth person dies after falling ill in NYPD custody this year
The 54-year-old was hospitalized twice after his arrest Friday, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 4, 2026 at 4:44 p.m. ET
NJ reports first West Nile Virus death of the year
While the national West Nile Virus trend has slowed down, activity in the Garden State has picked up.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
NJ reports first West Nile Virus death of the year
While the national West Nile Virus trend has slowed down, activity in the Garden State has picked up.
By
Michael Sol Warren
NY's prison system is in crisis. It's driving staff away from the job.
By
Emily Russell
NYPD searching for suspect after fatal stabbing in Queens
By
Ben Feuerherd
NYPD: 2 suspects in off-duty officer stabbing tried to rob victim
By
Jill Webb
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .