From the Times Ledger:
The courts have taken the next step in foreclosure proceedings against the owners of a vacant Whitestone property, but a lawmaker hopes to intervene before the lot hits the auction block.
Northeast Queens civic leaders would rather see the 6-acre cluster of undeveloped land, along 150th Street near 5th Avenue, turned into sports fields, which is why state Sen. Tony Avella is hoping to snag the property.
“If it’s done properly, I absolutely think it is a good idea,” said Al Centola, president of the Malba Gardens Civic Association.
Centola has had his eye on the property for several years after the company known as Whitestone Jewels LLC failed to pay its mortgage.
As a result, in 2007 La Jolla Bank began foreclosure proceedings against the company. In 2010, the lender was bought by One West Bank, the institution currently foreclosing on the property.
Late last year Queens Supreme Court Judge Orin Kitzes ruled in One West Bank’s favor.
A lawyer was recently assigned by the state courts to find out exactly how much is owed on the lot.
It was not clear when he was assigned, but Friday afternoon when a call was placed to the lawyer known as a referee, he had not even been informed of his assignment to the property.
After the referee determines how much money is owed, he will submit a report to Kitzes. The bank will ask for a ruling to move ahead with an auction and the referee will put a notice in the paper, according to a court clerk.
But this is where Centola hopes Avella will intervene.
The lawmaker is hoping to work with the bank to circumvent an auction.
“We are talking with the bank,” Avella said. “I want the city to acquire that for a park.”
It was not clear whether Avella’s discussions have paid off, since the bank cannot ask for what is known as a judgment of foreclosure until after the referee’s report.
14 comments:
"Sports" fields = soccer fields? I recently noticed the removal of the back stop and baseball diamonds at Golden Fields in College Point. Maybe we should try keeping our existing baseball fields instead of just turning them into grass.
Not just soccer fields but baseball, little league, lacrosse, and soccer fields with one and possibly two all weather running tracks.
A coordinated effort involving all the local community sports leagues.
So what is this to become
another toxic ball field for the Centola-Avella team?
Tony has forgotten his College Point debacle, it seems.
Stick to state issues, Senator.
You're not a councilman.
Speaking of the city council..where does the local CM stand on this issue?
Another day...another issue.
Another issue...another photo op.
Somebody's sure closing in on John Liu's record for holding the most press conferences of any elected official to date.
Why not let the Whitestone/Malba/Beechurst goombahs decide what's best?
Maybe the Gambino Group can start an Italian/American soccer team and build a stadium there.
So what is this to become
another toxic ball field for the Centola-Avella team?
As of now there is nothing toxic about the field.
As for our councilman, he has promised to look into a public private partnership a few months back.
State Senator Padavan was instrumental in getting Preller fields in Bellerose, so why cant Senator Avella do the same for Whitestone?
As for our councilman, he has promised to look into a public private partnership a few months back.
State Senator Padavan was instrumental in getting Preller fields in Bellerose, so why cant Senator Avella do the same for Whitestone?
As for our councilman, he has promised to look into a public private partnership a few months back.
Let me guess he hasnt come back with an answer yet? im shocked
Most of the CYO property was essentially given to the Mattones in a no-bid situation back in the 90s.
The loss of the CYO property - which had several landmark - worthy mansions on the grounds and century-old trees, which gave the neighborhood around it the name Whitestone Woods - was destroyed in an orgy of cookie-cutter housing.
Mattone also illegally destroyed wetlands on the waterfront side of 3rd Avenue/Powells Cove Boulevard, where there had been healthy eel grasses and habitat, and filled in the land for more McMansions.
Not saving these last NON-TOXIC six acres (take that, troll!) of land for parkland and ballfields would be a travesty, especially as that's what it was essentially used for during a half-century as the CYO camp and club.
two local playgrounds ,P.S.107Q/P.S.159Q that used to be softball fields are now graced with astro-turf patches that are too small for any sporting game to be played.
the small running tracks are never used. a waste of play space. too many trees ,most have died and been replaced, and benches.
they are very GREEN.nice to look at by the neighbors ,but of very little use to the teens.
poor planning by Planyc, who went broke because of less tax revenue from the private sector employees.
now that CM. Dan Halloran has announced that he is seeking the Ackerman congressional spot for the G.O.P. , Avella can assume the new position of NYS Senator/NYC Councilman .
during the last nys senate campaign , did not Mattone heavily finance the OPPONENT of Frank Padavan ? Do you recall reading that Mattone was furious over the local groups protesting to Padavan, of Mattone's building violations into the property along Douglaston bay ?
The city loves to use eminent domain in Queens.. why not when its for something people in the community want
This land, including the 110 or so houses built along the water and inside the Cresthaven development was once CYO(Catholic Youth Org.) and was all devoted to the youth of Whitestone. What's wrong with trying to preserve a very small portion of that area for our young people and the community. Also, this is not contaminated property, it has never been used as toxic waste site and is not designated as brownfield. I hope Mr. Avella is sincere and is able to successfully obtain this for Whitestone as a sportsfield.
keep eyeing tony....cuomo and skelos just clipped your wings.
see Q.C.on later post....
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