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Port Authority Head: LaGuardia Airport Should Be Torn Down
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 29, 2010
Modified Apr 29, 2010
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By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 29, 2010
Modified Apr 29, 2010
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Yesterday, Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward said at a Crain's event, "La Guardia Airport should not be the gateway for domestic flights into New York City. It should fundamentally be torn down and rebuilt again," and called the facility "chaotic." Of course, it's not like there's any money to do that right now, which is why Ward later told reporters, "The capital necessary to rebuild La Guardia is not there. But the planning capacity is and we're working with the consulting industry to reimagine what La Guardia could, in fact, look like when it gets completely rebuilt."
The Post notes that the PA "cut $1 billion from its capital plan to rebuild La Guardia's Central Terminal Building because of budget shortfalls" last year. But should the money ever come in one day, the agency would revisit the layout—for instance, LaGuardia's two runways intersect, so only one plane can land or depart at a time. Plus, the runways are small.
Ward also said, "La Guardia was built over decades. It's not the kind of integrated aviation facility that the 21st century really demands. On top of that, we've layered in post-9/11 security. Because of that, you have an experience for the air traveler that is unnecessarily chaotic, which is difficult to manage... I think, candidly, over time, building piece by piece, La Guardia has to be completely redone." And he didn't rule out the idea of private funding.
Tagged
airport
jfk airport
laguardia airport
newark airport
port authority
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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