What would really spur NY's economy is a return to expanding the subway system.

The lion's share of today's entire subway system was built between 1900-1930.

In 1900, it only took 4 years to build the first subway line all the way from City Hall to Harlem. That was back when literal animals were used to assist with hauling construction materials!

It is inexcusable that, over a century later, despite all of our technological advances, we are now taking almost 10 years to build a measly three stations. Yes, there's more underground infrastructure and cables to contend with. But technological advances also ought to help speed construction! Surely modern construction equipment ought to help things go faster than using animals to haul construction materials around?

With new subway building, there would automatically be a development boom like no other. Imagine a new subway tunnel linking FiDi to St. George - imagine the resulting development boom in tragicomically underdeveloped St. George, Tompkinsville, Stapleton, Clifton, where today huge abandoned lots sit right next to SIR stations. This would also dramatically drive down rents in lower Manhattan as far more people would find it practical and desirable to live in Staten Island.

Or imagine a bi-state project to build a new subway line between FiDi and Bayonne, NJ. Imagine the amount of pressure that would take off of rents in northern Brooklyn. As is, Bayonne is so close to Manhattan as the crow flies, but the commute is absolutely miserable (HBLR -> PATH -> subway).