There is an active plan for a new UN building in New York City.
Apparently knowledge of this issue has been almost entirely localized in New York. However, constructing a second U.N. building would likely have significant financial implications for the U.S. federal government, which pays 22 percent of the U.N. regular budget and would likely shoulder increased payments to the U.N. in future years resulting from costs associated with the project.
Congress has yet either to hold hearings on or to examine the details of this plan. Nor is it clear that the Obama Administration has asked for or been provided detailed information on this project.
Negotiations to sell or otherwise transfer the Robert Moses Playground property in New York City to the United Nations for the construction of a second tower have proceeded quickly over the summer, and a final deal appears to be imminent. Regrettably, these negotiations have not included Congressional consultation even though the associated costs of the project for the U.S. federal government, which pays 22 percent of the U.N. regular budget, would likely be significant.
Earlier this summer, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation, passed by both houses of the New York legislature that would permit New York City to sell, transfer, or lease the property of the property adjacent to current United Nations building to build a second office tower.
The United States economy is in distress and the United Nations is morally bankrupt. So why should US taxpayers pay for UN bureaucrats to acquire new pricey Manhattan office space?
The Obama Administration should immediately obtain all relevant details, plans, and cost estimates related to the transfer of the Robert Moses Playground to the UN and the construction of a new UN tower and share that information with Congress.
To encourage cooperation by the UN, Congress should ensure that no federal dollars are used to pay for the construction, rental, operation, or other related costs of the property deal or any new UN building until the details of the deal are fully vetted, the financial implications for the American taxpayer are determined, and both the Administration and the UN have provided all relevant information and a detailed financial analysis of the project to Congress.
