Crains New York - January 21, 2013 - (Page 10)

OPINION Easy call on tennis plan T he United States Tennis Association has proposed an expansion of its National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the site of the U.S. Open. The $500 million plan, supported by the Bloomberg administration, needs approval from the City Council and state Legislature. It should get it, while the well-heeled USTA should make a small gesture to compensate for taking another two-thirds of an acre of park into its complex. The benefits of this expansion are myriad, while the negatives barely amount to a quibble. A new, 8,000-seat stadium will be built at one end of the grounds to replace the 35-year-old Grandstand, which is to be demolished. Adding that show court, rebuilding Louis Armstrong Stadium with 12,000 seats (a 20% increase), widening walkways to ease congestion and making other improvements will allow the USTA to sell 10,000 more tickets for each of the Grand Slam tournament’s first eight days. This is, simply put, more of a good thing. The U.S. Open is the best-attended annual sporting event in the world. It is a showcase for the city, viewed by 85 million in the U.S. and broadcast in 188 countries. And, of course, it is an economic engine that fills hotels and restaurants for nearly three weeks every summer and creates 6,000 seasonal jobs. In 2010, it had an estimated economic impact of $756 million, up from $420 million in 2001 and $145 million in 1991. The USTA pays the city rent based on revenue generated CRAIN’S ONLINE POLL by its Queens facility. It’s a modest amount, about $2.5 million last year, that will increase slightly with the extra ticket sales. But the city has not subsidized the tennis complex except to provide tax-free construction financing. Despite former Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s famous whining in the 1990s, the marriage between the municipality and the nonprofit has been a happy one. More than 80% of the USTA’s $275 million in annual revenue comes from the U.S. Open, and the money is used to grow the game of tennis across the nation. Some locals have complained that the Flushing complex is of little use to them, but in fact its outdoor courts are rented by the public 11 months a year at reasonable fees, and its indoor courts at market rates or less. Scores of programs, and thousands of kids, use the courts. The Bloomberg administration could mollify the pockets of opposition to the USTA project by devoting more U.S. Open revenue to upkeep of the heavily used host park. But the project’s incorporation of one lane of a short three-lane access road and its addition of 393 parking spaces in a 1,255-acre park is all but insignificant next to the improved fan experience and economic impact it will bring. Expanding the U.S. Open site would benefit fans and the city COMMENTS Superstorm Sandy snub A HOUSE DIVIDED SHOULD LANCE ARMSTRONG’S LIFETIME BAN FROM COMPETITION BE AMENDED? Yes. He is finally coming clean. Considering that sports are rife with steroids, he was singled out for severe punishment. No. He shouldn’t be rewarded for cheating. His confession is too little, too late. Date of poll: Jan. 15 225 votes 20% Yes 80% No FOR THIS WEEK’S QUESTIONS: Go to www.crainsnewyork.com/poll to have your say. 10 | Crain’s New York Business | January 21, 2013 I was surprised to find the headline “House no longer divided over Sandy aid” in your Morning 10 email ( Jan. 16) regarding the House vote to fund relief for victims of Hurricane Sandy. The fact is that 179 Republicans, including the party’s 2012 vice presidential nominee, voted to let the Northeast drown. —carol ann rinzler SECOND CHANCE FOR LANCE? Had Lance Armstrong not proclaimed his innocence repeatedly over the years—and gained fame and fortune in the process—perhaps he could be given, if you’ll pardon the expression, “a free ride” (CrainsNewYork.com poll, Jan. 15). But it’s getting to the point that too many people lie and get away with it. We can’t forgive and forget and allow such individuals to set an example for young people. Lance is a liar and a phony and doesn’t deserve to be pardoned in the court of public opinion, regardless of the fact that many others have gotten away with it. String him up! —robbo PEOPLE WHO have done way worse have been forgiven—why not Lance? His life is inspirational because of his victory over cancer. In any event, no one can ever take away the cheers I shouted and the joy I felt when he was at the top of his field. Anyone foolish or naive enough to believe that the people he beat were not using some sort of “enhancement” product needs to have his head examined! —t. tas OVERLOOKED NONPROFIT SCO Family of Services appreciates the attention that Crain’s has brought to the critical work performed by nonprofits. However, as one of New York’s largest humanservices providers, SCO deserved a place on Crain’s list of New York’s Largest Nonprofits (Dec. 10). With operating expenses of $227.5 million, we allocate $212.1 million (93%) to programs. We are proud to provide more than 60,000 children and adults each year with quality services and programs including child care and early childhood education, shelters, foster care, preventive services, and schools and residences for the developmentally disabled in more than 100 locations throughout the city and Long Island. We have a dedicated staff of 3,700, and recently were asked to open two centers in Far Rockaway to handle case management for hurricane-displaced families. We look forward to joining our colleagues on next year’s list. —gail b. nayowith Executive director SCO Family of Services CRAIN’S WELCOMES SUBMISSIONS to its opinion pages. Send letters to letters@crainsnewyork.com. Send columns of 475 words or fewer to opinion@crainsnewyork.com. Please include the writer’s name, company, address and telephone number. CRAIN’S NEW YORK BUSINESS editor in chief Rance Crain publisher, vp Jill R. 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All rights reserved. ®CityBusiness is a registered trademark of MCP Inc., used under license agreement. CRAIN COMMUNICATIONS INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS chairman Keith E. Crain president Rance Crain treasurer Mary Kay Crain Cindi Crain executive vp, operations William Morrow senior vp, group publisher Gloria Scoby group vp, technology, circulation, manufacturing Robert C. Adams vp/production, manufacturing David Kamis chief information officer Paul Dalpiaz founder G.D. Crain Jr. (1885-1973) chairman Mrs. G.D. Crain Jr. (1911-1996) secretary Merrilee Crain (1942-2012) http://www.crainsnewyork.com/subscribe http://www.crainsnewyork.com/assets/mediakit/index.html http://www.crainsnewyork.com/events http://www.CrainsNewYork.com http://www.crainsnewyork.com/poll

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crains New York - January 21, 2013

Crains New York - January 21, 2013
In the Boroughs
In the Markets
The Insider
Business People
Corporate Ladder
Opinion
Greg David
Real Estate Deals
Report: Small Business
Classifieds
New York, New York
Source Lunch
Out and About
Snaps

Crains New York - January 21, 2013