By Alex Robinson
Vice President Joe Biden joined Gov. Andrew Cuomo in Queens Monday morning to announce a design competition as part of a plan to revitalize the borough’s airports.
The lawmakers called for JFK and LaGuardia, which the vice president previously compared to a third world country, to be modernized and brought “into the 21st century.”
“The No. 1 job of government is to promote economic growth and prosperity, and one of the best ways to drive commerce is by investing in infrastructure that connects New York with local, national and international markets,” Cuomo said to elected officials and reporters in a hanger at Vaughn College in 86-01 23rd Ave. in Elmhurst.
The competition for new designs will start in 30 days and then applicants will have 60 days to submit their submissions, Cuomo said. Three finalists will then be selected and given $5,000 each.
Biden stressed the importance of building infrastructure across the country and commended Cuomo for pledging to spend on the state’s airports.
“We’re on the cusp of a gigantic new opportunity for our kids and our grandkids,” Biden said of the country’s infrastructure investment. “I know that when you have big ideas and strong leaders, the American people have never let their country down.”
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
