From the Times Newsweekly:City Council Member Peter Koo told Zausner that business owners around the tennis center say they don’t get promotional support from the USTA or see much additional business during the U.S. Open, which the center hosts every year and which the USTA cites as a serious boon for the local economy.
Koo suggested the USTA offer promotional opportunities inside the stadium to local restaurants during high-profile events.
“They have so many hot dog stands. What about a Chinese food stand?” he said.
“I will tell you that we have not done a good enough job reaching out to all the businesses in downtown Flushing,” Zausner responded, adding the tennis center has garnered lauds from the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel and the Flushing Business Improvement District.
“There will not be outright ‘no’s,’” he said. “There will be a conversation, and we will figure out what we can do together.”
Koo stated he would support the expansion if he could be assured the USTA would reach out to area businesses.
Why does Peter Koo think that it's his job to tell the USTA what they need to do to gain his support? Why doesn't he just let them try figure it out on their own?
Now you know who the Council Members really represent.
Why isn't Koo concerned that the Parks Dept suddenly, and for no reason, pulled Tommy Chan's vending permit this year?
Tommy has sold hot dogs for years near the mosaics in the park. According to the Courier, he was the only vendor authorized to sell in the park during the U.S. Open. (Figure that one out. The USTA has a legal monopoly?) Now he's been removed, as per a story featured on WPIX, which unfortunately was not posted online.
So who pulled the plug and why?
