August 30, 2021

The Honorable Kathy Hochul

Governor of New York State

NYS State Capitol Building

Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Hochul,

We would like to congratulate you on your new position. We are confident you will capably serve the people of New York in your new role, as you have done throughout your distinguished career in public service.

As the co-hairs of A Better Way to LGA, a diverse coalition of community members, economic development groups, labor unions, transportation and tourism advocates, civic stakeholders, and local businesses in Queens and the surrounding region, we are writing to express our support for AirTrain LGA. AirTrain LGA, a $2 billion project entirely funded by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that provides a rail link between LaGuardia Airport and Midtown Manhattan, was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in July. This project represents a substantial investment in a region that was among the hardest hit in the world by COVID-19 and will help drive our economic recovery.

LaGuardia is currently the only major airport on the East Coast without rail access. The project was approved after a fair, independent, and exhaustive Environmental Impact Statement conducted by the FAA. During the process, there were a number of opportunities for community engagement and feedback. The FAA received more than 4,200c comments from Queens and across the region, with 80 percent indicating support for the project.

It is estimated that AirTrain LGA will remove one million vehicles from our local roads and highways each year. The project comes with a substantial $50 million investment in local parks, with an emphasis on revitalizing the Flushing Bay Promenade which sits adjacent to the airport.

AirTrain LGA will provide a much-needed shot in the arm to our local economy, creating 3.000 union construction jobs, $500 million in contracting opportunities for MWBEs and local businesses, and target local residents for new, permanent operations and maintenance jobs.

The investment in LaGuardia Airport will catalyze economic activity that supports local businesses and local communities. It comes at a time when many families and small businesses in Queens and throughout the region are struggling to survive after a difficult 18 months. We want to ensure you have the full picture of the benefits of this project which we believe is a win for travelers, small businesses, the environment, and our local communities.

Sincerely,

The Co-Chairs of A Better Way to LGA

Thomas J. Grech, Queens Chamber of Commerce

Christopher P. Boylan, General Contractors Association of New York

Carlo Scissura, New York Building Congress

Laura Colacurcio, Association for a Better New York