Commercial New York City

New York, NY —

You've heard of the 42nd Street subway shuttle, being covered in ads? Well, how about garbage trucks and street sweepers?

It's something Council Speaker Christine Quinn is proposing, as a way of raising more money for the city to bridge upcoming budget gaps.

Quinn told members of the Citizens Budget Commission this morning that the council is following Governor Paterson's lead, and is thinking of selling or leasing city assets.

QUINN: I don't have any particular properties in mind: leasing is probably a more realistic option for us. But it's an exercise we should conduct, to see what possibilities are there.

REPORTER: The Speaker also says the city's future budget gaps can't be closed without raising taxes.

Governor Paterson is creating a commission to study the concept of leasing assets, such as the lottery, highways, bridges, golf courses, parks and beaches.