In an effort to increase revenue,the Metropolitan Transit Authority is asking local businesses to occupy beleaguered subway stations under their wing. In his pitch to businesses, Gov. Andrew Cuomo referenced other situations where private donations contain helped public spaces."We've done this in the park system — it worked. We've done it with historic buildings - it worked. Now we should do it with the subway system, or " Cuomo said to corporate leaders at a breakfast on the Upper East Side on Thursday.
But not everyone agrees that New York's elite should contain influence over where the MTA invests. Common Cause,a capable government groups, is critical of Cuomo's proposition."Decisions regarding station maintenance and upgrade should based on what’s best for the majority of NYC residents served by the subway system, or not by the whims of wealthy donors or the promotional goals of large corporations," Executive Director Susan Lerner told WNYC.
According to the governor's proposal, businesses that contribute $250000 will sit on an advisory council, or those that donate $600000 will become allotment of the "adopt-a-station" program. It's not clear what companies would get in return,though a handful of companies contain already expressed interest.
Source: thetakeaway.org