Background of MTA Battle

When bidding was first announced early in December, the MTA reserved the right to "reject any and all bids," and also demanded specific proposals from the bidders.

On December 28, four bids were submitted to the trustees. The bids of Roche and Coffman were not accompanied by proposals for development of the land (both handed them in this week, after receiving a series of extensions). The bids and the backgrounds:

* Harvard: $5,010,000. Two undergraduate houses; three-to-seven-story buildings and high-rise towers, to contain 1000 apartments; parking area for 600 cars. Taxable value: $35 to $40 million at the least. The University has been drawing up plans for this property since 1956.

* Roche: $6,135,000. Three high-rise residential apartment buildings, single high-rise office building (20 stories); one hotel with offices; one multi-level parking facility. Taxable value: $37 to 43 million. Rumors around the city government are that Roche is still looking for backers. As presented to the MTA, the plans are still incomplete and have been drawn sketchily.

* Coffman: $2,240,000 and relocation costs, which he estimates as $5 million. Three 20-story apartment buildings; two 12-story office buildings; a 2800 car garage; a 200 room Howard Johnson's hotel and restaurant; 300,000 square foot shopping center. Taxable value: $38 million. Howard Johnson's is one of Coffman's backers.

* Sullivan: $4 million. 50-story star shaped office building; apartments with 400 units. Taxable value: $45 million.

Both Roche and Coffman's bids have come under heavy suspicion from city officials, mostly because they would not reveal their "clients." It has been suggested in several areas that the publicity attendant on Roche's bids made it worth his while to submit a bid regardless of intent.

Both Sullivan and Harvard placed the "fair market value of the yards" at $4 million.

The final decision is in the hands of a three-man Board of Trustees, appointed by the Governor. It is well known that two of the members frequently vote with the recommendation of General Manager McLernon. The third member, Chairman Daniel Tyler, is an insurgent member; he is the only Republican, and frequently votes against McLernon proposals.