From the Daily News:
Major League Soccer — which was in talks with the city to build a $340 million stadium in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, — won’t be coming to Queens, said a local politician.
“The location doesn’t work,” said City Councilman and Queens Borough President candidate Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans), who chairs the Council’s Land Use Committee. “There was no real benefit for Queens residents to site it in that location.”
Comrie, who said he opposes putting the stadium in the park, pointed out there is land available near Yankee Stadium.
Team officials said they are considering various sites all over the city — and Queens is not off the table just yet.
From the Daily News:
Two City Councilmen — who happen to both be running for Queens borough president — are trying to block the plate against a proposed mega-mall next to CitiField.
The lawmakers, Leroy Comrie and Peter Vallone Jr., announced Monday they oppose the current plan, which includes a 1.4-million-square-foot mall and is currently rounding third and headed for home in the city’s land-use review process.
“The community has responded negatively,” Comrie said. “They don’t feel their needs are being kept in the forefront.”
Comrie heads the powerful Council Land Use committee, and said changes may be needed before it gets the Council’s rubber stamp.
The lawmakers will vote on the mall and adjustments to the $3 billion development this fall.
Comrie (D-St. Albans) blasted a “ridiculous” provision that hinges the construction of the affordable housing to connecting ramps to the Van Wyck Expwy.
He said there are “ongoing negotiations.”
Meanwhile, Vallone said the new plan stretches outside of the boundaries of what was originally pitched in 2008.
“That’s not what we approved,” said Vallone (D-Astoria). “You can’t change it after we approve it.”
“It’s an urban renewal plan.” said Katz. “It’s so easy to talk about amending. We have to look at how to make it happen and move it forward.”
Ah, well Katz's reaction is not surprising. Neither is Comrie's. I'm sure this will sail through Comrie's Land Use Committee as soon as some adjustments are made to the plan.
But what happened to Peter Vallone's "it's not parkland" nonsense? He used to be all for this project before he was against it.
In the meantime, Tony Avella has proposed statewide legislation that would likely prevent the alienation of parkland in the future. Michael Simanowitz has agreed to introduce it in the Assembly. Let's see what the Albany tweeders do with it.
13 comments:
Whichever way the wind blows...a candidate will blow the voters...anyway the want it. After they've won, they'll spit out their pledge to represent you. Don't wait for any candidate to keep their campaign promises!
Politics is politics!
Notice how the "weasel word"--as it's know in the advertising business--is being used here.
That word being--"current".
H-m-m-m--
"under the current plan" there are objections.
The plan will be slightly tweaked--then junior Vallone, etc. will go for it--after the election is over, of course.
These kind of course changes in policy, mid stream, are quite common in any campaign in order to kiss up to the voters' wishes and win the election.
Voters beware. Do not get duped by candidates owned by the real estate development industry.
Take very careful note--
The Vallone law firm are developers' lobbyists!
We don't need anymore air pollution near this park!
The adjacent airport, 2 major highways, a truck route,
and the Citifield parking lot already make using FM Park
a major health hazard.
We want an air quality study NOW before any thought of new development !!!
Air pollution?
Nobody cares about working class Latinos living near the park as long as northeast Queens remains pristine.
These poor Hispanics are collateral damage in the war of mega-development...in which the developers seek victory.
What is John Choe's "One Flushing's" position on the soccer stadium?
Exactly what is and who is "One Flushing" for?
I don't see any "Brown" faces prominent in his organization.
when the mayor MIKE sends some money there way the vote will turn to a yes , just like CB7
In the meantime, Tony Avella has proposed statewide legislation that would likely prevent the alienation of parkland in the future. Michael Simanowitz has agreed to introduce it in the Assembly. Let's see what the Albany tweeders do with it.
................................................................
Ya mean reps like Toby Stashitsky? This whole thing is a travesty. I wish Avella good luck on this one.
Why don't they just build up the already commercial area on Roosevelt Ave between 114th and 111th Street. If you kick out the Maxicans, you could pretty much put up anything you like, a mall, a hotel, or just build an area that would attract stadium visitors before and after a Mets game, or US Open matches. You could even run a special express train from 111 Street.
how many of you so called activists showed up at the meeting today?
I know at least 3 people personally who testified today. Not that it matters. We already know how City Planning is going to vote.
Don't you mean the Department of City Plotting?
That's what I call City Planning.
how many of you so called activists showed up at the meeting today?
------------------------------------------------------------
They might have been busy working at, you know, real paying jobs unlike Generation Occupy.
Definition of a community activist
that I ran across years ago:
One who is retired or unemployed.
Your "Occupy" crows fits the bill.
Hey, where's the debbie downer dimwit who kept saying the soccer stadium couldn't be stopped?
It's dead, dopey. The people and the press fought it and won.
What do you have to say now? Not a f*&^in' thing, I bet.
Post a Comment