WPIRA declares victory for 3 members

WILLETS POINT LAND AND BUSINESS OWNERS CLAIM VICTORY AGAINST THREAT OF EMINENT DOMAIN ABUSE BY CITY OF NEW YORK

Industrial businesses and jobs retained at Willets Point

(New York, NY) November 13, 2008 – The Willets Point Industry and Realty Association (WPIRA) today announced a major victory in the fight against New York City's intended use of eminent domain against their businesses. The group of the ten largest land and business owners successfully negotiated relocation deals with the Mayor's Office and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and more importantly, have negotiated for 3 of the largest businesses to remain at Willets Point. The multi-generational family run businesses, Fodera Foods, House of Spices and Tully Construction will remain in Willets Point and have been given assurances by the City that their businesses will not be threatened with eminent domain in the future.

The three landowners occupy 17.3 acres or 36% of the total 48 acres of the privately owned land at Willets Point. It is estimated the city has control over 16 acres. As a result of these 3 deals, 1,300 jobs will be retained at Willets Point. Several businesses will be relocated within Queens and the WPIRA is active in negotiations regarding further relocations for their remaining members.

The last-minute twist in negotiations with the City reflect the Administration's admission that relocation of major businesses requiring large parcels of manufacturing zoned land is next to impossible. And to proceed with a 3 billion dollar mega-development is fiscally irresponsible in the face of our City's economic crisis.

The land and business owners of the WPIRA stand by our original position – we oppose the taking of private land through eminent domain and turning it over to a private developer. And we urge all those involved to continue negotiating in good faith to reach fair and equitable deals, and to minimize the city's use of eminent domain.

If they're letting a construction company stay with all that property, then how are they going to fit everything else in? How will it blend in with the surroundings? Doesn't this whole thing sound like a stupid waste of money?

WPIRA responds to toxicity claim

The WPIRA today responded to today's Daily News article: "'Toxic' results at Willets Point aid Mayor Bloomberg's plan."

These statements are inconsistent with what Mr. McCarty told the City Council at their hearing on October 17, and with what the Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement said. Both Mr. McCarty and the FGEIS indicated that not enough testing has been performed to know what levels of contamination are present. If new testing has been performed since the hearing, its results should be made publicly available.

"Every industrial area in New York City, and many non-industrial areas, are likely to have the presence of various chemicals. What's important is not mere presence. A few molecules will not do any harm," said Michael Gerrard, WPIRA attorney. "Rather, it is the quantities and concentrations that must be known in order to determine whether there is a real problem. The Willets Point area does not appear on the State Superfund, State Brownfields, or Federal Superfund lists – the official governmental lists of highly contaminated sites. And if the area were heavily contaminated, the City would not want to take title to it or be responsible for the possibly liability associated with such "toxic" land."

AND THIS JUST IN from reporter Stephen Stirling:

"No Feinstein deal as of now. Some complications have arisen in the final negotiations. Several sources have told me that the deal isn’t dead, but not finalized either. More tomorrow."

City squeezing Willets Point landowners

Excellent reporting by Stephen Stirling:

...while many property owners remain at the table with the city and are participating in productive discussions, four members of WPIRA — Crown Container Co., Bono Sawdust and Supply Co., N&T Repairs and Shea Trucking — said the city has not been fairly negotiating.

As vote nears, city strikes new deals while others look towards eminent domain

“It’s an ongoing nightmare,” Jerry Antonacci, co-owner of Crown Container Co., said.

The four property owners said the city has put undue pressure on them to strike deals, pushing them towards deals they feel are unfair and undervalued.

“They come to us and say, ‘Prices are falling right now and I think you should jump on this while you can,’” Antonacci said. “But I’ve had appraisals done and they come in at double what the city’s offering. I’m not going to give it away for half price. But they basically said take it or leave it. They don’t even listen to what we need.”

John Bonici, of N&T Repairs Inc., said he had no contact with the city until he called them in late August. Bonici said he told the EDC he needed a property in College Point, where the majority of his customer base resides. The city told him they would get back to him.

“And then I don’t hear from them. Eleven messages I left them and they finally called me back,” Bonici said. “They said, ‘We didn’t call you because there’s nothing available.’ They said I could look for a property myself or let them offer to buy me out. So what, I have to be my own realty service now?”

While the four business owners did not rule out striking a deal with the city in the future, each said they are prepared to go to court and face an eminent domain battle if the situation does not improve.

“I’ll fight this all the way if I have to,” Bono said. “Because all they do is say what they want to say and they leave. How can you call something a negotiation if you don’t even get to hear what one party has to say?”

The city has identified those that they cannot accommodate. Instead, they isolate them by making deals with landlords and easily relocatable businesses. Those left are the folks that will be faced with eminent domain.

City lying about percentage of Willets Point land owned

The WPIRA was formed over three years ago with the specific intent of communicating our needs to the City. With their redevelopment plan in jeopardy, a week before the final City Council vote, the City is now motivated to strike deals with the businesses.

Let's be clear – we are not "holdouts" and we have always encouraged our members to work with the City to try to negotiate a deal that is fair and equitable, but let's not kid ourselves, we wouldn't be having these discussions with the city if the threat of eminent domain wasn't on the table.

As of yesterday, the city falsely claims to have control of 40% of the property at Willets Point. But they have intentionally left out the fact that these deals are only good if the Mayor's plan is approved by the City Council.

They have included the streets which were always owned by the City to prop up the percentage. It is our belief that the EDC has contracts on less than 20% of the land. If the vote were today, the City would be asking the Council for authorization to use eminent domain on 80% of the land at Willets Point.

Nydia: "Land Grabs Like This Give Eminent Domain A Bad Name."

This lady just makes too much sense. Watch the Tweeders' faces as she testifies.

This is a commercial that WPIRA will be putting on the air:

Willets Point City Council hearing today

Willets Point Business Owners Fight City Plan to Seize Private Property

Urge City Council to Reject Reckless Plan

(New York, NY) October 17, 2008 – Members of the Willets Points Industry & Realty Association (WPIRA) today called on the City Council to reject the Bloomberg Administration's reckless plan to spend more than $1 billion of taxpayer money to seize their private property through a massive abuse of eminent domain and hand it over to a politically-connected developer, while destroying thousands of jobs in the process.

The WPIRA, which represents more than 50 percent of the privately held land that the administration wants to seize, staged a truck rally on Friday to highlight its opposition prior to the Land Use Subcommittee Planning, Dispositions and Concessions hearing on the controversial Willets Point plan. More than a dozen trucks from member businesses circled City Hall to proclaim their opposition to the city's seizure plan.

Jack Bono, owner of Bono Sawdust Supply, said, "I served my country in the armed forces during the Vietnam War and I now find myself waging a personal battle to prevent my business and land from being seized by eminent domain, which would enable a private developer to steal my family's legacy and profit handsomely. The use of eminent domain in this instance is unjustified and my family and I intend to continue this battle until we win. It is our ardent hope that the Council Members will support the businesses of Willets Point and will vote NO to Mayor Bloomberg's plan to seize my land and my business."

The City's plan currently appears to rely significantly on the use of eminent domain to take private property for its foolhardy development plan, raising concerns from Council Member Hiram Monserrate and other members of the City Council.

More than 30 members have voiced opposition to the land grab, and as recently as Oct. 7, Councilman John Liu in a letter to Deputy Mayor Robert Lieber, said, "Good public policy sometimes necessitates invoking eminent domain to make progress. Coming to agreement for the acquisition of 90% of the land for this redevelopment and condemning the remaining holdouts probably makes sense. Seizing 90% of the land would be wrong and inexcusable, and I cannot in good conscience support a plan that amounts to that."

The abuse of eminent domain is just one area of concern, which will require a massive infusion of taxpayer money at a time that the city is looking to cut spending for education, public safety and environmental protection, while raising property taxes and personal income taxes.

In addition, noted environmental lawyer Michael Gerrard offered a compelling critique of the city's Final Environmental Impact Statement, which fails to address many of fatal flaws in the plan or support the city's case for seizing private property through eminent domain.

Gerrard's analysis found the city had failed to provide any meaningful evidence that the soil contamination in the area is so significant as to warrant a city takeover of the property and failed to adequately address problems with the massive increase in traffic jams that would result from the City plan, while attempting to duck a host of issues related to the cost and timing of the project.

"The City is adopting a 'we must destroy the community in order to save it' approach. This is both unprecedented and unwarranted," Gerrard said in his written testimony. Gerrard's testimony is available at the WPIRA's website,
www.wpira.com.

WPIRA files formal complaint against Grandma Shulman

Looks like Grandma Shulman doesn't have her paperwork in order...
Click on pages for readable size.

WPIRA Response to LaGuardia Workforce Retraining Program

It's shameful that the City is proceeding with its "workforce retraining" at Willets Point before the City Council has even voted on this project. The Administration appears to be dead set on dismantling a thriving industrial area and union jobs in spite of numerous signs that difficult economic times are ahead of us. It is irresponsible for this Administration to continue to promote a project that will cost the city upwards of $3 billion at a time when budgets are being slashed and services are being curtailed.

Just today, the New York Times reported that, "Most transactions in commercial real estate are on hold," said Mary Ann Tighe, regional chief executive for CB Richard Ellis, the real estate brokerage firm, "because nobody can be sure what the economy will look like, not only in the near term, but in the long term."

Today's event by LaGuardia Community College was nothing more than a PR stunt designed to deflect attention away from the many unanswered questions surrounding this project. LaGuardia admits that it can only expect a 25% success rate. What is to happen with the other workers in Willets Point? It's time for the City to start providing real details on relocating the high paying jobs that are already in Willets Point. The working men and women of Willets Point deserve more than the empty promises currently being offered. This roll out of LaGuardia is just more smoke and mirrors from the Administration before the City Council vote. It avoids the message the City Council has sent to the Administration that this plan in long on ideas and short on details.

Jerry Antonacci
Crown Container
WPIRA Member

Photo from Times Ledger which has an article about the confrontation.

Betsy not buying City's Willets Point B.S.

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum stated the following today:

"Tomorrow, the City Planning Commission will vote on a development plan for Willets Point that is far from complete. We can expect that the Commission will rubber stamp the plan. In less than two months, the City Council will be required, because of the ULURP clock, to vote on this same plan.

What’s wrong with this scenario? Plenty.

First, we just don’t have enough specific information. The Request for Proposals (RFP) sets out the framework for the redevelopment, but we don’t know who is going to be the ‘master developer’ for the site, to hold accountable for what the actual plan will look like at completion.

Second, the needs of local businesses in Willets Point haven’t been adequately addressed. These businesses have been in the area for a long time. Many have dealt with horrible conditions, including no sewer system and a lack of any City improvements or maintenance for years.

Third, given our current economic crisis, we need to know what kinds of public subsidies will be provided for this plan, and where the money will come from.

Unfortunately, the clock is already ticking for the City vote on the Willets Point plan. The administration shouldn’t force the Council to speculate on the details of this plan. It may be difficult in the short time left, but they need to come up with the specifics about the future of this development."

Response from WPIRA:

"Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum is exactly right about Willets Point: There are too many questions and not enough answers for the City Council to move forward with the Mayor's seemingly haphazard plan. This is exactly why 33 members of the Council have voiced opposition to it and it's probable abuse of eminent domain. Mayor Bloomberg should recognize the fatal flaws of this plan and instead work with the property owners on sensible and affordable infrastructure investment that Willets Point has needed for decades. If not, we trust the City Council will show the same independence that Ms. Gotbaum demonstrated today with her courageous stance and reject this misguided proposal."

Still fighting in Willets Point

“The city is making some progress in filling in the meat of the plans for Willets point,” said City Councilmember John Liu. “There still is a huge issue with this administration’s use of eminent domain and that is something that has not been addressed.”

Many are crediting the renewed talks between the businesses and the city to an August meeting organized by State Senator Minority Leader Malcolm Smith.

Anthony Fodera, the owner of Fodera Foods, was present at the meeting, and although he praised Smith for bringing back talks between the city and businesses, he said that the city has had three years to negotiate with the businesses and little has been resolved.

“We have always maintained that we have wanted to be a part of this process, but we have been excluded from it,” said Fodera, who pointed to the fact that only four agreements have been reached as ample evidence that the negotiations are not working.

“All we’ve ever asked for is that we own the land, we want to be included,” said Fodera, who is a member of the Willets Point Industry and Realty Association (WPIRA), which represents a majority of the property owners at the site. “You’re going to see more and more from us, not less.”

Progress with Willets, but still opposition

PRO: Willets Point Ascendant

CON: Don’t take our land

CB7 video raises questions of corruption

Video Demonstrates Community Board 7 Board Ignored its Own Conditions in Approving Willets Point Redevelopment

Willets Point business and land owners today released a video revealing the Queens Community Board 7 vote may have to be converted to a "No."

In June, the Land Use Committee of CB7 held several meetings to review the EDC's plan to rezone and redevelop Willets Point. After the final Committee meeting on June 23, it was very clearly stated by the Community Board Chair Gene Kelty and the Committee Chair Chuck Apelian that the Board required several "mandatory" concessions from the EDC before the Board would approve the plan. If these recommendations were not agreed to by the EDC or adopted by the CPC in its final approval, the CB7 vote would convert to a "no."

At the final hearing and board vote on June 30, 2008, Chair Chuck Apelian read a letter from Deputy Mayor Robert Leiber which he claimed addressed most — if not all — of the Board's concerns. The video provides a side-by-side comparison of the Board's Conditions set forth on June 23 and the EDC's response on June 30. It is clear from the Video that CB7 did not receive the mandatory concessions it required before approving the plan. WPIRA has distributed the video to the City Planning Commission and will distribute it to all members of the to NYC Council.

Dan Feinstein, President of Feinstein Iron Works, said, "If not for the strong-arm tactics of Board Chairman Gene Kelty and Willets Point Committee Chairman Chuck Apelian, it's clear the majority of board members would have voted against this illegal land grab. Kelty and Apelian clearly went over the line and IGNORED the interests of the very people they are supposed to represent."

"Kelty and Apelian should be removed from office immediately, and the board members should call for a new vote now that Kelty and Apelian's betrayal has been laid bare for all to see," Feinstein said. "Kelty himself said the board's approval would turn into a 'No' vote if its conditions are ignored. To date, there is no evidence the Administration will do anything but pay lip service to Community Board 7 and no evidence Apelian and Kelty will ever stand up for the residents of Queens. While it's clear the board's 'Yes' vote really meant 'No,' it's time for the board to make clear that Apelian and Kelty's shameful sellout will not succeed."

As the video clearly demonstrates, the board members made clear with their conditions that they do not support eminent domain and the plan as currently proposed by the EDC. The Board's conditions for approval included:

· More affordable housing – the board wants 30 percent of the project devoted to real affordable housing for low-income New Yorkers, while the City has continued to offer only 20 percent for low and middle-income families;

· A substantial traffic mitigation fund – the board has asked for 10 percent of the project cost for traffic mitigation (about $300 million) - the city has continued to offer the community board only $5 million to mitigate the impacts of this project. This in spite of the City's admission that the traffic impacts of the project are an incurable problem;

· Real Community Board oversight of the project – the board wants an ongoing and active oversight role in the project if it moves forward, while the city has promised only quarterly advisory meetings with an unknown developer who will have no obligation to heed the community's advice or concerns;

· Limited use of eminent domain to obtain private property for use by a private developer – while the Board acknowledged the possible need for eminent domain, it demanded the City exhaust all efforts to relocate current businesses before considering the use of eminent domain.

Anthony Fodera, owner of Fodera Foods said, "The City will continue to make claims of good faith in dealing with the business owners of Willets Point, but we know their word is as good as Kelty's and Apelian's. We will take this fight to the City Council, and beyond if necessary. We will not relent in our efforts to fight for our rights and our private property."

Yes never means no except when a pol flip-flops on an issue.

Q: What kind of idiots vote "yes - with conditions" when they mean "no, not as presented?"
A: Queens community board members who were appointed by and are controlled by the Machine.

Brilliant video, WPIRA. Bravo! No one from the media analyzed it this way or reported what actually happened at the hearings. Wonder why...

Monserrate Announces Legislation to Restrict Eminent Domain

Calls on Council to Address Loopholes Allowing City-Wide Use of Condemnation Proceedings for Private Economic Benefit

City Hall, NY – Council Member Hiram Monserrate today announced the introduction of legislation in the City Council to require responsible use of eminent domain in cases of economic development. The legislative package introduced at today's Stated Meeting of the City Council will call on the city and the state to address the growing use of the power of condemnation to create private wealth, rather than public benefit.

"On a federal level, we have lost sight of the due process of law concerning eminent domain," said Monserrate. "This legislative vacuum has left small business owners in Willets Point and homeowners in Atlantic Yards, among many, to fend off condemnation efforts that benefit large developers with deep pockets. Today, projects are underway in every part of the city that send the message to all residents and homeowners that your life's work can be stolen out from under you simply to enrich others. This legislative package challenges the city and state to step up to the plate and ensure residents a fair and open process that preserves the real intentions behind the 'public good.'"

Monserrate stood with business owners and workers from Willets Point, which is located within his Council district in Queens, who described their experiences with the potential loss of their property and livelihoods in the city's efforts to take their private property and give it to large, private developers. The project is one of many across the city that has or will face the threat of eminent domain in the name of economic development, including Atlantic Yards, Hudson Yards and the Bronx Terminal Market projects. Residents as well as property owners have joined community-wide protest efforts to prevent these development projects, including court challenges and public protest rallies. Monserrate noted that these citizen revolts are often overwhelmed in the face of the large legal staff and financial resources of the real estate developers working with the city to solidify lucrative contracts.

Monserrate's comprehensive regulatory package, including an introduction and 7 resolutions, will curtail and prevent abuse of the eminent domain law by providing the public and communities with mechanisms of democratic control and oversight. The proposed local law requires financial impact reports from local development corporations for real property acquired by the city through eminent domain, including an analysis of the estimated costs and benefits of the proposed project, the estimated amount of retained or additional tax revenue to be derived from the project for the next 3 years, the amount of assistance received by the local development corporation in the form of a loan, grant or tax benefit since the beginning of the project period, and the present value of the future assistance estimated to be given for the duration of the project period. The resolutions support state efforts to create comprehensive reforms, including providing local control, and requiring increased compensation economic development plans and homeowner impact statements.

The power of eminent domain authorizes the government to appropriate private property for the public good without having to obtain the consent of the owner. Eminent domain has long been recognized as an essential tool for governments seeking to acquire real property for the completion of public projects such as the building of roads, bridges, public utilities and other necessary public works. However, on June 23rd, 2005, in a 5 to 4 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court approved the Connecticut city of New London`s plan to take 90 acres of private land for a redevelopment program. This new Supreme Court ruling potentially allows local governments to claim property for the benefit for private entities, rather than restricting eminent domain to acquiring land for public use. Moreover, this process can proceed with minimal public input and review and without the traditional evidence that the area to be condemned is blighted.

Monserrate quoted Retired Justice Sandra Day O`Connor's dissenting opinion in the Kelo case, stating that the Court`s ruling favors the most powerful and influential in society, leaving small property owners with little to no recourse. Justice O`Connor wrote that the "specter of condemnation hangs over all property. Nothing is to prevent the State from replacing any Motel 6 with a Ritz-Carlton, any home with a shopping mall, or any farm with a factory."

Monserrate was joined by Council Members Diane Reyna and Vincent Gentile from Brooklyn and the Willets Point Industry and Realty Association.

(Photo, courtesy of WPIRA, L to R: Gentile, Monserrate & Reyna)

More from Crain's NY

Protest at CPC Hearing on Willets Point

Willets Point Land and Business Owners Protest Prior to City Planning Commission Hearings on Willets Point

The Willets Point Industry and Realty Association (WPIRA) the group of land and business owners who control more than 53% of the privately held land in Willets Point that the Bloomberg administration wants to seize through eminent domain – will hold a rally and press conference prior to the City Planning Commission hearings on Willets Point on August 13th, 2008. Council Member Hiram Monserrate and other elected officials will speak at the press conference.

Michael B. Gerrard, Esq., partner and head of Arnold & Porter's New York City office and Environmental Law Practice group is one of several experts set to challenge the City's Environmental Impact Study findings. Additionally, Willets Point land and business owners will testify against the City's controversial redevelopment plan.

Don Corace, Author of Government Pirates: The Assault on Private Property Rights--and How We Can Fight It, will speak at the press conference.

Date:
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Location:
Tishman Auditorium, NYU Law School, 40 Washington Square South

Time:
10 a.m. – 150 Willets Point workers demonstrate outside 40 Washington Square South

10:30 a.m. -- Press Conference

Noon – Approximate time of Willets Point public hearings

###

Media Contact: Patricia Jones
Patricia@PJonesInc.com

WPIRA Press Conference and Truck Demonstration at Shea Stadium

The Willets Point Industry and Realty Association (WPIRA) the group of business owners who control more than 53% of the privately held land in Willets Point that the Bloomberg administration wants to seize, yesterday announced plans for a demonstration outside the Mets game on Monday to make the public aware of the City's reckless plan to destroy thousands of jobs for working men and women by stealing their private property to help a politically-connected developer.

As part of the demonstration, trucks will carry banners informing Mets fans of the city's attempt to use eminent domain to take private property and turn it over to a politically-connected developer, destroying jobs in the process. Beginning at 3:30 p.m., about the time the Mets' afternoon game against the Pittsburgh Pirates is finishing, dozens of trucks from Willets Points businesses will begin to circle the stadium.

Date:
Monday, August 11, 2008

Location:
126th St. & 36th Ave. Willets Point

Time:
3:15 p.m. -- Press Conference with Council Member Hiram Monserrate
3:30 p.m. -- Truck Rally

Contact: Patricia Jones, Patricia@PJonesInc.com

UPDATE: Event is being rescheduled due to rain. (You know what those streets get like after a downpour thanks to decades of city neglect!)

WPIRA responds to city's ramped up tweeding effort

The Willets Point Industry and Realty Association, the group of business owners who control more than 53% of the privately held land in Willets Point that the Bloomberg administration wants to seize via eminent domain abuse, responded to yesterday's announcement by the EDC that minorities, women and Queens residents will play a major role in the city's redevelopment of the area.

"Women and minority business owners know that yesterday's announcement by Helen Marshall and Deputy Mayor Robert Lieber – two people who won't even be in office in about 16 months – is just another phony photo op. It's like George Bush proclaiming "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq all those years ago – a wild exaggeration that only misled the American public. Trust me, we are not going to be fooled by Marshall and Lieber anymore," said Irene Presti, WPIRA member.

WPIRA maintains if the Bloomberg administration really wanted to help women and minority owned businesses, it would provide the municipal services (sewers, street lights, sidewalks) that have been intentionally withheld for decades so the area could revitalize on its own. The cost-effective solution to redevelop Willets Point would maintain and expand good jobs. Instead, the City is determined to steal the businesses and land, thus destroying the jobs of thousands of working families for a development scheme that will never happen.

Neil Soni, Vice President of House of Spices in Willets Point said, "As a certified Minority-and-Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), I find today's announcement yet another betrayal by an administration that continues to try to pit one group of New Yorkers against another. This divide-and-conquer strategy will fail miserably because it is so transparent and comes from an administration with an appalling record on these issues. But even worse, this administration makes promises like they have already seized our private property through eminent domain. Deal with us first, fairly, honestly and like professionals—then make your promises. Only then can this be taken seriously."

Presti points out an article in the Village Voice on June 10, 2008 which reported that the City has failed miserably to provide opportunities for women and minority businesses. In the article, Commissioner Robert W. Walsh, who has run the New York City Department of Small Business Services since Bloomberg took office, conceded that he hasn't had a single meeting with the mayor to discuss the M/WBE program since the new law went into effect in late 2005. He also acknowledged that, from the beginning of the administration, his conversations with Bloomberg about aiding small businesses "had not been focused on gender or race." Asked if they'd ever had a conversation in which Bloomberg gave him "a sense of how important an MWBE program was to him," Walsh replied: "I don't want to put words in anybody's mouth. I can't remember a conversation like that."

"We agree with Betsy Gotbaum, whose investigations have found that the City just isn't getting the job done for women and minority businesses," said Irene Presti. "We also agree with State Senate Bill Perkins, who has spoken out forcefully about the City administration's failure to even acknowledge its failures in this program."

Pictured: The Soni Brothers' House of Spices was founded in 1970 on a corner in Jackson Heights. House of Spices now has nine distribution centers around the Unites States with a total of 500,000 square feet of space distributing to the ethnic markets as well as to mainstream markets. They are major landholders at Willets Point and the city is threatening to take away their business via eminent domain. Their American Dream has turned into a nightmare.

City may not come through for Willets landowner

The city is planning to make a last-ditch effort to avoid the collapse of their largest property acquisition deal with a Willets Point business owner later this week.

City’s largest Willets Point property deal in jeopardy

The city will meet Thursday morning with Sambucci Bros. Inc., which owns more than 52,000 square feet of property at Willets Point, in an effort to smooth a snag in their relocation agreement, Daniel Sambucci Jr. said Monday afternoon. Sources familiar with the negotiations have told the TimesLedger that rumors have been swirling around the deal for weeks, and that problems have arisen with the city’s plan to relocate the business to College Point.

Sambucci declined to go into detail, but said he will meet with the Economic Development Corporation Thursday morning to try and get the deal done.

The EDC did not immediately return a call for comment Monday.

An article in Crain's New York Business reports that the Economic Development Corp. (EDC) has run into problems with the site in College Point where it planned to relocate Sambucci Bros. Inc. Salvage, an auto parts business that sprawls across 52,000 square feet, according to one of the salvage yard's owners.

"This is just one more example of the EDC's complete incompetence. Like this deal, the entire Bloomberg boondoggle is destined to fail," said Anthony Fodera, WPIRA member. "We wish the best for the Sambucci family, but we know you can't trust the EDC and you certainly can't trust Bloomberg. That's why we will keep fighting everyday to protect our land and businesses in Willets Point from Bloomberg and his lawyers. Four agreements signed in two months is not a very impressive record. What about the other 256 businesses with no deals?"

Willets Point responds to Bloomberg

WPIRA RESPONDS TO MAYOR BLOOMBERG'S STATEMENT ON QUEENS BOROUGH PRESIDENT HELEN MARSHALL'S APPROVAL OF WILLETS POINT REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

"Mayor Bloomberg is kidding himself if he thinks this reckless land grab is going anywhere other than the same place as his plans for a West Side stadium and the Olympics -- the scrap heap of bad ideas. The Mayor has refused to answer any real questions about this boondoggle, but let him start with just one: How much will the City rely on eminent domain to take our private property? As property owners in Willets Point, we know the Mayor's true plan is to try to force us off our land. But he is too much the politician to admit it. Helen Marshall's betrayal of the people of Queens will not be forgotten, nor will we forget any who join with her to steal our land rather than provide us with the infrastructure improvements we all need. This fight will never end until the City renounces its plans to steal our private property and finally makes the sensible investments to improve Willets Point for the thousands of men and women who work here every day."

Jerry Antonacci, Willets Point Industry & Realty Association Member
President, Crown Container

Hey Jerry - your containers are placed on city streets? Plaster them with protest signs. Let the public know what is really going on.

WPIRA gains two more members; Helen approves of eminent domain abuse

Opposition to Mayor's Land Grab in Willets Point Grows Despite Borough President Marshall's Betrayal of Working Families in Queens

Two New Business/Landowners Join WPIRA

As Queens Borough President Helen Marshall today announced her support for Mayor Bloomberg's potentially illegal land grab at Willets Point, the landowners fighting to keep their family businesses issued a warning to Marshall and others who do not publicly denounce the abuse of eminent domain. "We will remember those who turn their backs on us and remind them that this fight will never be over so long as the City continues with its reckless plan to take our private land and give it to a politically connected developer," said Jerry Antonacci, WPIRA member. "Today, Helen Marshall demonstrated a callous disregard for the 2,000 men and women who work hard every day in Willets Point to provide for their families."

"This is clearly a situation where the emperor has no clothes," said Council Member Hiram Monserrate. "The land use process is designed to provide the community with the details of a proposed project. Yet, this is the second time the Mayor's Willets Point plan has been approved with the clear acknowledgment that it is absent necessary information. As their questions continue to go unanswered, the Queens community is disenfranchised from a project that will determine their future for decades to come. Unfortunately, the Queens Borough President chose to support this vague and noncommittal plan rather than question it. These questions will not be ignored in the City Council."

"This developer's boondoggle is little more than a blank check written on the backs of two thousand working breadwinners in Willets Point. Why all the secrecy about who will build it, for how much and for whom? In the midst of a City and State fiscal crisis, how can our City afford $3 billion for a deeply-flawed, pie in the sky plan?" said former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer.

Despite the act of betrayal, the Willets Point Industry and Realty Association, a group of land and business owners fighting the Bloomberg Administration's attempt to steal their land, continues to grow stronger and larger. Today, SIJ Inc. and Dahlia Group joined the coalition, adding a combined 34,000 square feet to the more than 24 acres of private land represented by the group. That's more than 53 percent of the private land in Willets Point.

SIJ Inc. owner Irene Presti, who has been in Willets Point for over 25 years said, "The City has been lying to all of the landowners at Willets Point for decades. They have been collecting our taxes and promising us that they would take care of us and give us the basic services we were asking for. Now we realize they are a bunch of lying crooks and that's why we are standing together as a group to fight them."

Pictured: Hundreds protested against eminent domain abuse outside CB7 meeting last night.

Willets Point coalition grows

OPPOSITION TO MAYOR'S LAND GRAB AT WILLETS POINT INCREASES
COALITION GROWS STRONGER, LARGER DESPITE BLOOMBERG ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS
With Five New Members, Coalition Represents Majority of Land Ownership

The Willets Point Industry and Realty Association (WPIRA), the group of land and business owners fighting the Bloomberg Administration's attempt to steal their property through abuse of eminent domain, today announced that five new businesses have joined the coalition. As a result of these additions, the coalition now represents more than 53 percent of the private land owned in Willets Point despite the Bloomberg Administration's attempts to divide the community.

"Our resolve is stronger than ever, and our numbers are growing larger despite the city's weak attempts to divide us," said Thomas Mina, a member of WPIRA. "With these new members, our coalition now represents more than 53 percent of the private property in Willets Point. That should send a clear message to this administration that we will never allow them to take our property just so they can give it to a politically-connected developer. This should also send a clear message to all those in Queens who think they can roll over us. This fight will never end until they stop trying to destroy our businesses, steal our land and kill the American dreams of our parents and grandparents."

Council Member Diana Reyna said, "The city must acknowledge the increasing number of business and landowners opposing their redevelopment plan. The City's lack of consideration for the hundreds of small businesses and their thousands of employees at Willets Point is a direct contradiction to their vowed commitment to protect and retain industrial and manufacturing businesses in NYC. The city is betraying and turning their backs on these hard-working men and women and their families."

The five new coalition members are St. John Enterprises, United Steel Products, Shea Auto Repair, Trading Used Auto Parts and Empire Group and represent more than 120,000 square feet of land. With the additions, coalition members now cover 24 acres of the approximately 45 acres of privately owned land in Willets Point -- or more than 53 percent of the land. Each of the businesses have long-standing ties to Willets Point, including St. John's Enterprises with 36 years in the same location.

Georgiou Charalambos, co-owner of Shea Auto Repair for 28 years said, "I am in jail with the city. I don't know what to do. I can't move, I can't sell my property. I'm 66 years old and I want to retire, but I am stuck. No one from the EDC has talked to me. They just the want the property."

Alfredo Franza, vice president of United Steel, a family business with 50 employees, said, "With Community Board 7 and the Queens Borough President supporting this takeover plan, we know that we have a fight ahead and we felt it was important to show a united front with our neighbors."

Queens Borough President Helen Marshall is expected to announce her formal support of the administration's development scheme in the coming weeks, despite the strong turnout by WPIRA members and employees at a recent hearing at Borough Hall. Several WPIRA members testified at the hearing, to combat the city's campaign of misinformation to get approval on the redevelopment project without a formal plan or identification of a developer.

"Helen Marshall should do the right thing and stand with the property owners and the working families of Willets Point and reject this plan," said Jerry Antonacci, WPIRA member. "At the very least, she should show some independence and make clear that her support is contingent on the city agreeing to not use eminent domain to take private property. Unfortunately, Marshall has continued the city's long neglect of Willets Point and refused to provide us with basic city services such as sanitary sewers despite the property tax bills we pay year after year. Hope springs eternal, so we call again on Marshall to side with working families over powerful developers."

Hiram's problems with Willets Point plan

A majority of the Council, led by local Councilman Hiram Monserrate, publicly opposed the city's move to start the rezoning process three months ago. And while the Bloomberg administration has won some victories recently--the community board endorsed the plan; the city has reached acquisition deals with three property owners; and organized labor now supports the project--Mr. Monserrate and others still express clear opposition to the project as currently planned.

* Eminent Domain--Mr. Monserrate said he wants an assurance that the city will not engage in the "wholesale use of eminent domain" in the project. More land deals need to be made or the city needs to come up with some other way of committing to a limited use of eminent domain before the Council votes on the project, he said. "I am not saying that some eminent domain can't be used--I think that there's a use," he said.

* Housing--Mr. Monserrate wants far more of a commitment to below-market-rate housing. The Bloomberg administration has thus far pledged that 20 percent of the units will be below-market rate; affordable housing groups want 60 percent. Agreements on housing usually come late in the approval process, perhaps just before a vote. "The number has to be dramatically higher," Mr. Monserrate said. "Eighty-twenty is unacceptable. ... Come back with a number that's real, and not a negotiating ploy that's an insult."

* Developer Approval--The plan currently calls for the city first to rezone the land with Council approval and then select a developer (the city believes it has to go this route to comply with eminent domain law). Mr. Monserrate and others, including the Land Use Committee's chairwoman, Melinda Katz, have expressed concerns with this structure. (The Council often wrests concessions from a developer, and without a second approval round, would be unable to have much say in the final plan.) "It has to come back to the Council," he said. "We are the check and balance system in city government."

At Willets Point, Unusual Uncertainty Over Political Path Ahead

Photo: Business owners from the Willets Point Industry and Realty Association (WPIRA) and over 150 of their supporters and workers rallied in front of the Queens Borough President's office prior to the Land Use Public Hearing where the City's redevelopment plan for Willets Point was reviewed for recommendation on July 10, 2008. Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer joined Council Members Hiram Monserrate and Tony Avella to support Willets Point business owners fighting to protect their private property from an unprecedented and potentially illegal land grab by the Bloomberg Administration.