Statements from Comptroller Lander on Downtown Manhattan Heliport & Bus Shelter Franchise Agreements

 

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander issued the following statements after voting at the Franchise and Concession Review Committee:

Downtown Manhattan Heliport with Saker Aviation

“The non-essential helicopter trips from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport may be ‘convenient for busy executives, leisure travelers, and sightseers‘ and reduce the time it takes to get from Wall Street to private jets at Teterboro, but the constant noise and carbon emissions make many residents of Manhattan and Brooklyn miserable, and it generates very little revenue for the City of New York. Rather than continuing operations, we should allow the City’s contract for the Downtown Manhattan Heliport to expire and repurpose the space for a less noxious and more sustainable use.”

Bus Shelter & Public Toilet Space with JCDecaux

“Today’s franchise agreement will secure more bus shelters and public toilets that will improve basic public infrastructure for New Yorkers. While JCDecaux should not have withheld their rent for public space over the last two years, we appreciate their willingness to negotiate with our office to provide an additional $2 million base payment and additional revenue sharing to the City as part of today’s deal.”