NEW YORK.- Governor George E. Pataki and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced the start of construction on the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center expansion and renovation project. Phase I of the project, expected to cost about $1.68 billion, will increase exhibition space at Javits by 45% and will begin with the demolition of two buildings totaling 500,000 square-feet on the north side of the site to make way for construction.

Phase I of the Javits expansion and renovation is expected to be finished in 2010. The Mayor and Governor also announced the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Javits Convention Center hotel on 11th Avenue.

“This day marks a tremendous step forward in the redevelopment of the new and greatly improved Jacob K. Javits Convention Center— a modern, spacious and spectacular international Convention Center for New York City,” Governor Pataki said. “The new Javits will not only give New York City one of the nation’s best convention facilities, but it will spur investment, create jobs and greatly benefit the economy. It will also be the latest example of the wave of cleaner, energy-saving “green building” technology that is sweeping the City – another important way that New York continues to lead the nation. I am proud to be here today, as we embark on another vital New York City project.”

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said, “New York City deserves a world-class convention center with ample capacity to host the world’s largest shows, and today marks an important step forward in making that happen. The expansion and modernization of the Javits Center allow New York City to attract conventions and visitors we have had to turn away in the past, generating tens of millions of dollars in new annual tax revenue for the City and State, and it will create thousands of new jobs in the building, construction and hospitality industries.”

The first phase of the expansion project will create approximately 340,000 square feet of new exhibition space, including approximately 65,000 square feet of ballroom space that can act as swing exhibition space. This increases the total exhibition space at Javits by 45% to 1.1 million square feet. The plan also calls for an increase in the total meeting room space from 30,000 to 210,000 square feet. An additional 50,000 square feet of meeting room space will be available in the new Javits Convention Center hotel. The second phase of construction will create an additional 500,000 square feet of contiguous exhibition space.

Empire State Development Chairman Charles A. Gargano said, “New York City needs a world class, state-of-the-art convention center and the new Javits will awe visitors and make New Yorkers proud. I am pleased to see work begin on this project and am excited for progress.” Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said, “The greatest city in the world deserves the greatest convention center. With this expansion project, we are making the Javits Center into a first-class, state-of-the-art convention space that will bring people in from all over the world. The project will help create thousands of new jobs, generate new economic development and make a tremendous impression on visitors to New York City.”

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, “The expansion of the Javits Center that we celebrate today is a testament to what can be achieved when elected officials are able come together in a bipartisan way and produce a thoughtful, responsible plan. The world’s greatest city should be the world’s premier destination for trade shows, exhibitions and conventions. The economic stimulation that will result from the construction and operation of this state-of-the-art facility will be significant and I look forward to future joint efforts that will also create jobs and spur economic growth in our city and state.”

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said, “The expansion of the Javits Center is one of the most important things we can do for the economy of this City. This project will make New York City one of the top five convention centers in the country. Today marks a new future for New York City's convention industry, a future of economic growth that will be seen for decades to come.”

Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding Daniel L. Doctoroff said, “The Javits expansion will provide a tremendous boost to the New York City economy, and it will play a major role in achieving the Mayor’s goal of attracting 50 million visitors annually to New York City by the year 2015.”

Edward J. Malloy, President, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York said, “We commend Governor George Pataki, Mayor Bloomberg, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno for their leadership in bringing this long overdue project to fruition. We further commend them all for assuring that this project will create thousands of construction jobs that pay prevailing wages with health and pension benefits and promote apprenticeship opportunities to train and employ new members of our industry.”

Joseph E. Spinnato, President and CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City said, “Today is certainly a historical day for those of us who have worked over these many years for the expansion of the Javits Center. We are grateful to Governor Pataki and his administration for their commitment to this project. We now look forward to the tremendous benefits that the city and the state will enjoy in the years to come.”

NYC & Company Chairman Jonathan M. Tisch said, “Today’s expansion will launch a new era for New York’s $24 billion travel and tourism sector. This expansion will not only impact the West Side of Manhattan, but will impact every neighborhood in each of the city’s five boroughs with new jobs, greater economic opportunity, and nearly $50 million in additional annual tax revenue that support essential city services and enhance New Yorkers’ quality of life.”

The cost of Phase I, including construction costs, land acquisition and other non-construction costs is currently estimated to be approximately $1.68 billion. The City will contribute $350 million under an MOU and the State will contribute $350 million through a state supported credit in conjunction with a restructuring of existing Javits Center bonds. An additional $645 million funding will be raised through the sale of bonds backed by a dedicated $1.50 per key surcharge that the hotel industry has begun to collect. The balance will be recovered through the sale of the 33rd/34th street block.

The Javits Convention Center hotel will be located on 11th Avenue between 35th and 36th Streets. The hotel will have a minimum of 1,000 rooms and a minimum of 50,000 square feet of meeting, ballroom and pre-function space and will be connected directly to the Convention Center via an underground connection; the site will accommodate the entrance and exit ramps for the Mid-Block Boulevard Garage and No. 7 Subway vent shaft and related mechanical infrastructure.

The new multi-level truck security screening, marshalling and loading facility is being designed by A. Epstein Architects, one of the leading convention center architects in the country. Epstein is part of the Javits architectural team led by world-renowned architect Richard Rogers. The team also includes New York City-based FXFowle Architects, which has been involved in several projects in Times Square and Manhattan's West Side, and Tishman Construction Corporation—one of the nation's leading Owner/Builders—as Owner's Representative.

Several modifications to the General Project Plan (GPP) adopted in April were made based on public comments and design refinements, but one increased the overall square footage of the expansion