Image via Wikimedia

As 6sqft previously reported, in 2017 plans to address the overcrowded Port Authority Bus Terminal–the world’s busiest–became focused on renovating the existing midtown Manhattan building rather than relocating it a block to the west. Despite constant squabbles, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the bus terminal, agreed on a timeline, and a study was undertaken to determine costs and a schedule. Options included building a terminal for intercity buses underneath the Jacob K. Javits center, which itself has undergone major renovations. Now, as Politico reports, the two-state organization is moving forward with plans to replace the overtaxed terminal, with a focus on three options as outlined in an unreleased “scoping document.”

Options, this way

One of Governor Cuomo’s biggest NYC projects will kick off construction by the end of this year. Per a press release released yesterday, the Cuomo administration has put out a request for proposals (RFP) for the first phase of the Jacob K. Javits Center’s $1 billion expansion. The chosen firm will be responsible for the design and construction of a three-story building that will hold transformers, back-up generators, and other electrical equipment for the updated complex. This initial work will prepare the massive site for the larger expansion project that will increase the size of the events facility by 1.2 million square feet, bringing the total square footage to a hefty 3.3 million square feet.

more on the announcement here

It seems like Governor Cuomo’s had enough of ugly Manhattan buildings. Fresh off his announcement of a $3 billion overhaul of Penn Station comes another major redevelopment plan–a $1 billion expansion of the Jacob K. Javits Center, already the nation’s largest meeting place. First reported by Curbed, the project will increase the building by 1.2 million square feet, adding five times the current meeting space and bringing the total square footage to a massive 3.3 million. Renderings from FXFOWLE show a glassy structure that will house a 58,000-square-foot ballroom (Cuomo says it will be the largest in the northeast), 22,000 square feet of outdoor event space, and a four-level truck garage that will supposedly get 20,000 vehicles off the streets.

See all the renderings

• LOT-EK’s Shipping Container Cargotecture: WebUrbanist rounds up LOT-EK’s unique stacked container designs, one of which shows NYC’s Pier 57 as s Superpier, a 70,000-square-foot open-air, year-around food and retail market
• Betcha Didn’t Know This Fun Fact About the Javits: There’s a massive rooftop garden on top of the convention center in Chelsea. Inhabitat NYC has the details.
• Apple Holds On Tight To Its Glass Cube Store Design: The iconic design for the big-tech company’s flagship store on Fifth is now patented. Though they filed it back in 2012, Gizmodo reports that they just got the go this week.
• The Best Way To Get Around The City: Thrillist claims riding a bike is the best way, but with crazy drivers and the police ready to give tickets to whoever doesn’t use the bike lanes (even if they’re blocked), we think we’ll stick with the train and bus.

Images: Javits Center courtsey of Inhabitat NYC; Woman riding a bike via yourdon‘s Flickr