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New Yorkers must take a certain perverse pride in just how shitty our regional infrastructure is, otherwise why would they put up with rat-infested subways, a bus terminal that doubles as a homeless shelter and an airport worthy of Mogadishu? The last, of course, is LaGuardia, which saw its heyday back when propellors were all the rage and people boarded and deplaned from the tarmac. Since then, it’s has been an embarrassment as a gateway to the world’s greatest city.
But recently, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced plans to drag LaGuardia into the 21st century with a renovation with an estimated price tag of $5.3–$4 million—and judging from newly released renderings, it might be money well spent.
The LaGuardia of the future will apparently feature, soaring, light-filled terminals and state-of-the-art jetways and pedestrian bridges. It’s cool alright, but this being New York, it’s an open question as to whether it will get done, or at least get done without major cost overruns. Why? Two words: Port Authority. They’re overseeing the project—along with a private partnership outfit called, appropriately enough, LaGuardia Gateway Partners—and given their track record with other major projects (cough, World Trade Center Transportation Hub, cough)…well, let’s just say you never know what might happen. Complicating matters is the fact that La Guardia will remain open during construction. That should be fun.
In the meantime, we can always dream, and besides, looking at renderings cost nothing. So enjoy.