Although New York made it to the short list which the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced last month, the city was rated behind Paris, Madrid and London.
The IOC report cited concerns about New York’s transport plans, venue projects and Olympic village concept.
Daniel Doctoroff, New York’s deputy mayor for economic development who leads the bid said, “we’re taking a look at every single comment and taking them to heart. In every case we will seek to improve the plans”.
According to the Associated Press, since the IOC’s report New York has announced new plans for the Athletes Village which appear to meet the IOC’s needs, and more upgrades are planned.
New York also faces local opposition because of the proposed $1.4 billion Olympic stadium on the West Side of Manhattan, which would also serve as a new home for the New York Jets; President Bush’s policies causing anti-American sentiment; and with the 2010 Winter Games being held in Vancouver, the IOC may not want to return to North America only two years later.
Doctoroff calls it all irrelevant at this point. He said, “the decision is made by 122 individuals who all have their own bases for making the decision”.
A new design study for the athletes’ village proposes a $1.5 billion complex housing 16,000 athletes, coaches and officials on a 52-acre site along the waterfront.
The design addresses the IOC criticisms of the preliminary village plans. It reduces the number of high-rise units from 10 to four and houses a fully array of training facilities inside the complex, including an Olympic-size track, tennis courts and multipurpose fields.
Robert Fasulo, director of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations and one of the 15 members on the IOC panel that produced the report, welcomed the improvements.
Doctoroff said New York will soon be announcing enhancements to its transport plans after the IOC expressed reservations about rail and ferry services for the athletes and there will also be some small changes in the location of sports venues.
Also, officials will launch a “major promotional effort” in New York at the end of the month, including a high-profile ad campaign and revamped Web site.
