The Proposal Raise employment levels by improving the transportation infrastructure and adding affordable housing. A rail freight tunnel under New York Harbor could loosen up gridlock by taking truck freight off the roads.
Housing is a real issue to attract a bigger labor force.
More than 75 percent of businesses recently surveyed cited the cost of housing as a major impediment to locating or expanding in the city. The city would need new and rehabilitated housing stock about 25 percent to 30 percent below the current average cost. The Obstacles Such major investments are sure to be costly and would require consistent and creative cooperation from many sectors. Additionally, government would have to take a strong lead and convince taxpayers that those big expenditures are in the public's best interest. Politicians might be loath to do that.