Spitzer’s plans depend on selling land near Javits Center

Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s plans for creating an ambitious affordable housing program depend on the $900 million sale of properties both to the north and south of the Javits Center. Plans for expanding the convention center have been scaled back, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg opposes selling the northern parcel. “Even if you don’t use it now, if you sold off that property, it would keep us from in the future ever expanding Javits Center in that direction,” Bloomberg said in a recent radio interview. Spitzer is calling for a $400 million affordable housing program. Proceeds from the properties would also go toward the new Moynihan Station in the Farley Post Office building and improvements to Hudson River Park.