Tuesday, October 23, 2012

What it all boils down to

From an Op-Ed in the Daily News:

Bloomberg-preferred developer the Related Companies in partnership with Sterling Equities, the real estate firm controlled by the owner of the Mets, have plans to build a 1.4 million-square-foot mall and parking garage. The majority of the land for the $3 billion Willets Point project would be taken from parkland adjacent to Citi Field currently used for parking. The administration is attempting to get away with not alienating the land as is required under state law in order to use parkland for non-park purposes.

The city is desperately trying to rely on a 1961 bill that never replaced parkland used for Shea Stadium.


If the 40-plus acres being proposed for mall use are no longer needed for parking then it should revert back to its original recreational use. Our elected officials should be pushing for that instead of giving away our public spaces to the highest bidder.

Major League Soccer is pushing to build a 35,000-seat professional soccer stadium on up to 13 acres. The $300 million plan calls for filling in the former Pool of Industry from the 1964 World’s Fair.


Proponents of the project have sought to characterize the site as decrepit and “under-utilized.” One of the more absurd MLS claims is that it’s a water body and that only 1 acre of grass would be used.

According to that philosophy, our water features, which make up fully one-third of all city parkland, are okay to develop. Besides providing pleasant views, the fountain area is used for jogging, as well as for wildlife.

Unlike the Willets Point deal the city is requiring MLS to replace park land. But these replacement park facilities would not provide the same usefulness, location or value.

As part of a $500 million expansion, the U.S. Tennis Association plans to build a 15,000-seat stadium and an 8,000-seat stadium, as well as two parking garages adding 500 spaces.

The city Economic Development Corp. is also irresponsibly attempting to push this massive project through without conducting a full environmental review of all three projects, needed to assess the cumulative impact.

If our officials were truly interested in creating jobs, start by taking care of the park. For decades people have fought for the city to care for this vital resource.
Elected officials should be supporting the hiring of desperately needed permanent workers to maintain, program and secure the park. They have continuously allocated a fraction of the park funds needed and instead have been increasing making deals that commercially exploit them.

11 comments:

Suzannah B. Troy artist said...

Bloomberg and Amanda the People's Burden always push speed of greed before safety and best interest of The Oeople. Visit 120 e 12th st St Ann's facade 1847 an Albatross on NYU mega dorm illegal air sale by USPS pushed thru same way as here. Bloomberg CorruptCo

Jerry Rotondi said...

Bloomberg is an arrogant despot.

He'd carve a slice off your rump and then try to sell it back to you in a sandwich.

taxpayer said...

Mike Bloomberg and Robert Moses would have been a frightening pair of partners in crime.

It's great that Moses is long gone.

Hang in there with me, fellow New Yorkers. Bloomberg's strangle hold on the middle class will be ending soon!

Anonymous said...

Yeah, sounds good. I'm sure Cristine Quinn will be so much better for the city. Just like David Dinkins. Lucky us.

Anonymous said...

What happened to the 2008 Parks Department proposal to daylight Flushing Creek and turn Fountain of the Planets into an outdoor concert lawn?

Nobody is asking this question.

What about using the 7 Train's Corona Yard for the expanded USTA or MLS stadium? If Barclay's Center and MSG could be built above rail yards, why not do the same for Queens?

Again, nobody is asking this question.

Shopping malls and convention centers create cheap retail jobs, but do they create lasting careers with living wages?

Again, nobody is asking this question. Are the journalists and bloggers of our borough asleep or too lazy to do their jobs?

Anonymous said...

Are the journalists and bloggers of our borough asleep or too lazy to do their jobs?

Y E S ! ! !

Anonymous said...

Vicki Schnepps has her head so far up Claire Shulman's butt they see eye to eye!!!

Anonymous said...

So far we have Moya, Stavisky, Marshall and Peralta supportive; Dromm, Ferrerras opposing. What about Simanowitz? The park is within his district too. Speak up, Mike! Also, what about the other BP candidates- Katz, Grodenchik, Comrie?

Anonymous said...

Ferreras is NOT opposing development of the park or parkland. Listen very carefully to what she says. She wants "the community to be heard" and "a compromise". She has NEVER told the community point blank that she will fight to keep the park and parkland as-is. Ferreras also totally supports the proposed Willets Point development, which now requires 30+ acres of parkland.

Anonymous said...

Maybe one of those dedicated "white knight" obscure "matching-funds" dark horse candidates can become our next mayor and knock Chrissy Quinn right out of her own "box".

LOL...and I expect to win the lottery next week.

NYC should end its matching funds program.
These political upstarts don't have a chance against the big money in any NYC election.

They're merely legends in their own minds...who are just pissing away our tax dollars that might be put to better use!

Anonymous said...

With tongue in cheek...perhaps a viable alternative for mayor is little Scottie Stringer...the finest product that the mediocrity mill has produced in a long time.

Face it folks...
New York is a real estate city and we're all FUCKED!

La Guardia was NYC's only really decent mayor!