Former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman is working hard to make people understand that the Flushing, Willets Point, Corona Local Development Corporation (LDC) is more about Flushing and Corona and less about Willets Point.
“The Willets Point development is a city project – we were involved very early on,” Shulman, the President and CEO of the LDC, explained. “Our primary focus is to develop downtown Flushing to the river, including an esplanade with a pedestrian bridge to Willets Point, and Corona of course.”
On Wednesday, April 14, the LDC held a fundraiser at Citi Field, home of one of their corporate members, the New York Mets. Initially a public/private partnership, the non-profit corporation has evolved into a privately-financed group, tapping both non-members and members like the Mets for financial support. “They’ve been very supportive,” Shulman said of her member/host.
Privately financed group? I think not. And the TDC-Mets connection is going to come back to bite Claire and the EDC in their asses. We'll all enjoy that when it happens, and trust me, it's already well on the way toward happening.
Now let's enjoy some snapshots from the event:
At the fundraiser, supporters of the LDC also got to meet real Mets, like 1969 World Champion first baseman the legendary Ed Kranepool, with Michael Lee, president and CEO of F&T Group and Catherine Lee of F&T China.
Several board members of the Flushing, Willets Point, Corona LDC share a light moment with Mr. Met. (From Left) Tom Spatafora of Posillico Construction; Joseph Farber of Farber, Rosen & Kaufman, P.C.; Myra Baird Herce, President, Flushing Chamber of Commerce; Carol Conslato, Con Ed and president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce; Eileen Auld, Citi; Andrew Manger, Con Ed; Vincent L. Riso of the Briarwood Organization, and Al Penisi, outgoing president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
Joseph Mattone, Sr., founder of the Mattone Group, stands with Claire Shulman, Mr. Met, Peter Magnani of the Queens Library and Keith Samaroo of PS&S Engineering.
The Main Street L.I.R.R. station will be developed into a handicapped-accessible and convenient hub, with shops and affordable housing (far left) under a plan now spearheaded by the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
