Gov. David Paterson announced that he is recommending the appointment of Tim Gilchrist, his senior adviser for infrastructure and transportation, as the President of the Moynihan Station Development Corporation, the state entity under ESDC that is in charge of seeing through the Moynihan Station project. He will be replacing Robin Stout, in the position since early 2006.

Gilchrist is well qualified for the position. He played a critical role in securing $83 million in federal stimulus funding for the project back in February, and was instrumental in negotiating an MOU between the State and Amtrak. As a result of his work - and numerous other people's - the first phase of the project is now underway: the public comment period closed last Friday, a vote by the PACB is expected in the next few weeks, and construction could begin by the end of the year.

The Friends of Moynihan Station thank Robin Stout for his tireless work on the project and his persistent optimism. We wish him the best as he pursues other opportunities at ESDC.

Tim Gilchrist will begin in the new position in mid-July.