NYC stadium survives dispute
NEW YORK – A proposed $2 billion Manhattan stadium that is seen as vital to New York’s effort to land the 2012 Olympics survived a critical legal challenge Thursday, just days before the International Olympic Committee reviews the city’s bid.
State Justice Herman Cahn dismissed a lawsuit alleging illegalities in the purchase of the land for the stadium, which would be built over rail yards along the Hudson River on the city’s West Side.
The IOC evaluation commission is set to present a report on New York’s bid to the full committee Monday. The head of the commission said in February that a stadium would be crucial to the city’s chances.
New York is vying with Paris, London, Madrid and Moscow for the Olympics. The IOC will select a host city on July 6.
“We are extremely pleased with today’s court decision regarding the Olympic Stadium,” said Jay Kriegel, executive director of the NYC2012 organizing group. “The court has ruled in favor of the stadium, and totally rejected all of the bogus arguments intended to stop the project.”
U.S. Olympic Committee head Peter Ueberroth called the decision “yet another important step in securing the necessary approvals” for the stadium.
When the stadium is completed, it will be the home of the New York Jets, who now play at the Meadowlands.