From the Queens Tribune:
New York City’s Economic Development Corporation has not yet disclosed the names of developers seeking to transform the auto repair shop oasis that is Willets Point, infuriating its opposition, Willets Point United.
This year EDC will reward a contract to a private developer to turn the 62-acre Iron Triangle into what some hope will be a hub of commercial activity; the most ardent supporters of the development dream that the cratered streets that wend among the dizzying number of repair shops, scrap yards and waste processing sites will be swapped for retail outlets, hotels and perhaps a convention center. EDC denied WPU’s Freedom of Information Law request for names of the developers, though the deadline for proposals to be submitted was Sept. 9, 2011.
“It’s important to disclose the names of the developers because EDC clearly cannot be held to its word,” a spokesperson for WPU said. “The need for transparency is paramount.”
Those who answered EDC’s request for proposals should be known to the public, WPU argues, because EDC itself is a public corporation. An EDC spokeswoman, Jennifer Friedberg, said the EDC is still negotiating with respondents. According to a 2011 report in Crain’s Business New York, a source disclosed four of the developers that had submitted proposals for Phase 1. They are The Related Companies, Silverstein Properties, mega-REIT AvalonBay Communities Inc., and TDC Development & Construction Corp. Related has partnered with Sterling Equities, the real estate firm controlled by Mets owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz.
EDC, however, will not confirm any of the names, and since the deadline has passed for applicants to respond, there is no good reason for the names to be kept from the public, said Robert Freeman, executive director of the New York State Committee on Open Government.
“The developers are on equal footing if the deadline is reached,” Freeman said. “I don’t see any conceivable basis for withholding these names.”
7 comments:
BRING IN THE FEDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Willets Point United Inc. (WPU) has appealed EDC's denial of access to the developers' names. The deadline for EDC to respond to the appeal is Monday. If EDC does not release the names, then WPU's recourse will be to commence a court proceeding pursuant to CPLR Article 78.
Meanwhile, this Queens Tribune also mentions that EDC has failed to include the required "living wage" provision in the Request for Proposals -- which should be a major news story in and of itself, as the living wage provision was a linchpin of labor unions' support for the proposed Willets Point development during 2008. Why are the labor unions not up in arms, after the City has abrogated their "historic" Willets Point labor agreement?
the fed's do not do anything.. this is a case of the working class getting rolled over by the government. It's sad that the unions -- which are suppose to protect the working class , were against us from the start!
It looks like the labor unions colluded with City officials during 2008, entering into a phony "living wage" agreement to establish an attractive pretext for City Council approval of what was (and still is) a very controversial development project; and then once that approval was obtained, City officials and the labor unions tore up their living wage agreement. A result is that retail workers at a future Willets Point development (if any) will be paid 37 percent less than the City Council was told during 2008. Why the unions would go along with this -- and what they have received in exchange for doing so -- has not yet been reported. The unions have been suspiciously silent. Union chiefs should not be permitted to falsely manipulate a City Council determination and to sell out their memberships and the City at large with impunity. And yes, that is a matter for the "Feds".
Anyone who doubts the significance of the living wage provision announced for Willets Point should view this brief video compilation of union officials' unambiguous statements and testimony:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNPKFkCuBJ4
Huge mistake putting corporate retail on the triangle.
The locals can get the same product for 1/2 the cost from 100s of storefronts and mid eastern importers along Roosevelt ave.
Where will people get there cars fixed, buy parts and get prompt quality work without paying and arm and a leg for crummy work at the local gas station or automotive dealer ?
Anonymous said...
BRING IN THE FEDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, March 16, 2012
i dont know whats taking so long , its crazy
Anonymous said...
the fed's do not do anything.. this is a case of the working class getting rolled over by the government. It's sad that the unions -- which are suppose to protect the working class , were against us from the start!
Friday, March 16, 2012
I JUST CANT BELEAVE IT!!!!!! were are the feds ????
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