DEC/Parks Department Reverse Ridgewood Reservoir Culvert Plan

The decommissioned Ridgewood Reservoir in Highland Park is a natural oasis on the Queens-Brooklyn border.  Activists were worried that a state-mandated plan to cut culverts in the reservoir would have impacted the natural beauty of the area. Citizens were concerned that this could pave the way for future development.  (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) click on images to enlarge.

Queens-Brooklyn

By Geoffrey Croft

For years the community fought vehemently against Mayor Bloomberg's $50 million PlaNYC proposal to clear out 20 acres of one of the basins for ballfields and develop the natural area for active recreation. 

It appears these efforts may finally be paying off. 

In what was one of the last remaining hurdles, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Parks Department are reversing course on a controversial $ 6 million dollar, two-year plan to cut large holes (culverts) into the three basins in Ridgewood Reservoir.  The move comes as pressure from environmentalists, area residents and elected officials were mounting to preserve the area exclusively as natural parkland.  

The State DEC has classified the Ridgewood Reservoir's three basins as a "Class C" High Hazard Dam, critics disagreed.   State officials originally mandated that the Parks Department cut culverts as part of an anti-flooding plan, a move which drew wide-spread criticism. 

The Parks Department is expected to submit a new application to the DEC shortly requesting the site be reclassified as a non-hazardous dam.  Plans are also in the works to map the basins as wetlands a move advocates and naturalists fighting to preserve the decommissioned dams requested four years ago.

Invasive species tower over the decommissioned Ridgewood Reservoir in Highland Park. Advocates want the $ 6 million dollars re-purposed and used to clear out invasive species and replace them with native flora which will among many things increase bio-diversity. 

In July, eight local elected officials sent a letter to Governor Cuomo requesting the plan be scrapped.  

Last week DEC Commissioner Joe Martins sent a letter to the elected officials informing them of the State's decision.  

"The Highland Park/Ridgewood Reservoir Alliance is cautiously optimistic that the reservoir will finally be getting the protection from development that the community has been fighting for since 2007," said Rob Jett,  HPRRA member and the Save Ridgewood Reservoir blog founder. 

"The next important follow up step will be the NYSDEC performing the promised wetlands mapping promised this fall. We had submitted an application for wetlands mapping to the state 4 years ago. In addition, the Ridgewood Reservoir habitats support over 150 species of resident, breeding and migratory species of birds. Many of those are Endangered, Threatened or of Special Concern by both state and federal agencies. For that reason we are asking that the state designate the reservoir a "Bird Conservation Area. 

The HPRRA will continue to work with the community, politicians and parks department to assure that our vision of Ridgewood Reservoir becoming a world class Urban Nature Sanctuary is realized," said Jett.

The environmental law firm Super Law Group were retained by HPRRA and played a key advisory role in the proceedings, acting as a liaison between the community and the Mayor's office, DEC and the Parks Department.  

Edan Rotenberg, a lawyer at the firm gave credit to the community and the elected officials for working together.  He looks forward to helping the community achieve further conservation goals via NY State DEC including  getting wetland status and recognition for endangered species. 

The DEC is being pressed for three things:  to map the wetlands in the Reservoir on its official state map of wetlands; recognize the Ridgewood Reservoir as an official Bird Conservation Area; and have DEC's "New York Natural Heritage Program" officially recognize the existence of rare and threatened plants and animals in the Ridgewood Reservoir.


American redstart at the Ridgewood Reservoir. (Photo: Steve Nanz)

New York Natural Heritage maintains New York's most comprehensive database on the status and location of rare species and natural communities. The information is used by public agencies, the environmental conservation community, developers, and others to aid in land-use decisions.

"We have an oral commitment from the DEC that they will map the wetlands in the park this Fall," said Edan Rotenberg.

"They are going to go through all three basins and look at the wetland to determine what parts of the basin or whether the whole basin should be classified as wetlands.  This is an environmental hot spot. There aren't many regional wetland forest habits left in New York City period. 

There are a number of endangered species in the reservoir, its important the state recognize this," he said.

What's Next?

Advocates are also pressing that the $ 6 million dollars be reallocated for much needed improvements. 

Community members and environmentalists have long advocated for the repurposing of two existing gate house buildings located on the basin's perimeter for an environmental center and Parks Enforcement Patrol and Ranger facility to help ensure the long-term viability and safety of the area.  

"We are glad that the NYC Parks Department finally recognized that the Ridgewood Reservoir is a habitat that should not be disturbed by construction and that it took the step of requesting reclassification to a low hazard dam," said Christina Wilkinson. 

"The money that was to be used for this project should now be re-purposed to clear out invasive species and replace them with native flora. Building a nature center and PEP command will go a long way to ensure the reservoir Highland park are properly used and safe." 

The community is pressing to use two of the reservoir's gatehouses located along the basin's perimeter to be used as an environmental center for public programs and a Parks Enforcement Patrol/ Ranger facility to help ensure the long-term viability and safety of the area.

Invasive vines are pervasive in Highland Park due to a lack of maintenance.  A long-term restoration and maintenance plan for the severally neglected park is vital.


Read/View More:

Parks Officials Say State Wants Ridgewood Reservoir Basins to Be Safer
NY 1 - July 10, 2014 - By Agnes Chung 
http://www.ny1.com/content/212041/parks-officials-say-state-wants-ridgewood-reservoir-basins-to-be-safer/

Plan To Cut Into Historic Ridgewood Reservoir Has Activists Fuming - 
Fears This Will Lead To Development
A Walk In The Park - July 6, 2014

City Considering Leaving Ridgewood Reservoir Natural

A Walk In The Park - October 5, 2012 

Cracks In Ridgewood Reservoir Found - Renovations Delayed

A Walk In The Park - January 13, 2012 

Central Park Vs. Ridgewood Reservoir Fence Discrepancy

A Walk In The Park - May 27, 2010 

Community Boards Not Happy With Ridgewood Reservoir Plans

A Walk In The Park - January 6, 2010 

Plan To Cut Into Historic Ridgewood Reservoir Has Activists Fuming - Fears This Will Lead To Development

Flood Hazzard?  The New York State DEC has classified the Ridgewood Reservoir's three basins as a "Class C" High Hazard Dam, critics disagree.  (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) click on images to enlarge


The decommissioned Ridgewood Reservoir in Highland Park is a natural oasis on the Queens-Brooklyn border. Local activists are worried that a state-mandated plan to dig out culverts in the reservoir will destroy the natural beauty of the area. Park and State officials say it is necessary to prevent flooding, activists disagree. 

For years the community fought against Mayor Bloomberg's $50 million PlaNYC proposal to clear out 20 acres of one of the basins for ballfields and develop the area for active recreation. 

Community residents instead wanted the unique area as let along as a natural oasis.

Mayor Bloomberg finally got the message and cut funding for the project.

Critics of the culvert plan say the $ 6 million dollars would be much better spent clearing out the invasive species and providing facilities for educational programing and for security personnel.

Community members and envirmentailists have long advocated for the repurposing two of the existing gate house buildings located on the basin's perimeter for use as an environmental center and a Parks Enforcement Patrol/Ranger facility.  

These funds could play a vital role in the future success of a newly reclaimed natural area! 

 - Geoffrey Croft

Invasive species strangle heathy trees and dramically reduce bio-divercity. 



Queens/Brooklyn

Local activists are fuming over a city plan to cut culverts into the historic Ridgewood Reservoir in order to stave off the threat of future flooding. They say the $6 million plan — currently awaiting state environmental approvals — is unnecessary and wasteful of money, according to the New York Daily News.  

“It would have to rain 24 hours a day for months to reach capacity,” said Geoffrey Croft of New York City Park Advocates. 

Critics also worry the project will disturb the ecosystems in the defunct reservoir. 

“Construction will destroy the natural habitats within the basins, not to mention that it is also a colossal waste of taxpayer money,” said local civic activist Christina Wilkinson said. 

“Furthermore, if this weather event actually were to occur, allowing the basins to drain into a small catch basin on Vermont Place would be pointless as the sewer system would already be overflowing.” 


The reservoir, located on the Brooklyn-Queens border, was built in 1858 and supplied water to Brooklyn until 1959. 



But the Parks Department said it will face fines by the state if the work is not done, since the reservoir is considered a flooding hazard. 

The only other solution that would satisfy the state — which would involve extensive tree removal and ongoing maintenance — is more costly and intrusive, parks officials said.

The reservoir, located on the Brooklyn-Queens border, was built in 1858. It supplied water to Brooklyn until 1959.

Former Mayor Bloomberg announced 10 years ago that the site would be transferred from the city Department of Environmental Protection to the Parks Department as parkland.

         

The long abandoned gate houses along the reservoir basin's perimeter could be repurposed and used as an environmental center and a permanent station for Parks Enforcement Patrol officers and park rangers.


The Bloomberg Administration originally pegged the reservoir and surrounding Highland Park for renovations. But the $50 million proposal to clear out 20 acres for ballfields and develop the area for recreation died for lack of funds.   

A Tale Of Two Reservoirs? The community had also requested the fences in the redesign match the historical ones but Park Department officials said that could not be done for safety reasons.  The fence around the Central Park reservoir (left) however used the exact same design as in Ridgewood (right). (Save Ridgewood Reservoir) 

The city did complete a smaller project to repair pathways and lighting around the reservoir, and make the areas more handicapped accessible. Agency officials said the flood prevention project would not change the condition of the reservoir or reduce public access. 

But concerned citizens worried that the culverts could pave the way for future development. 

“It is my firm belief that (the Parks Department) crying crocodile tears when they say that they’d rather not breach the basins but are being forced to by the DEC,” said Rob Jett, who founded the Save the Ridgewood Reservoir website.

He and others worry that the city will revive old plans to clear parts of the reservoir to build the ballfields.   


Familiar bluet at the Ridgewood Reservoir. (Photo: Steve Nanz)

 Interpretive Sign.

Read More:

Parks Officials Say State Wants Ridgewood Reservoir Basins to Be Safer
NY 1 - July 10, 2014 - By Agnes Chung 
http://www.ny1.com/content/212041/parks-officials-say-state-wants-ridgewood-reservoir-basins-to-be-safer/

Plan to cut culverts in historic Ridgewood Reservoir has local activists fearful it will lead to development of the natural oasis   

New York Daily News -  June 4, 2014  - By Lisa L. Colangelo  

Controversy Swirling Around Newtown Creek Boathouse - Public Funds Going To Build Private Hotel?

The North Brooklyn Boat Club is proposing to build The Greenpoint Boathouse and Environmental Education Center at a new location owned by Broadway Stages in a building which will house a small private "hotel" for company employees.  Broadway Stages president Gina Argento said she plans to split the cost of the entire hotel project, which will include about half a dozen hotel rooms, down the middle with the boathouse. 

Just how much is the boathouse supposed to cost now? Queens Crap points out that the original cost estimate for the project was $ 3 million dollars which left more than half of the settlement for other projects.  The City Parks Foundation (CPF) is overseeing $ 7 million dollars from the Newtown Creek Environmental Benefit Project Fund and is getting 10 % of the funds. 

It appears now that all of the funds could be used to build the controversial boathouse.

The project was orignally approved at the site of the Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center at 1155 Manhattan Avenue but that deal quietly feel through.   

All projects were supposed to be off the ground by February 18th, 2014, within five years of the MOU, but that is happening.  

The City Parks Foundation has quietly asked for an extension of the deadline for the boathouse.

"It is not fair that this project, which has been drastically altered from its original plans, gets an extension, while other projects which have been ready to go the entire time are told to continue waiting in line indefinitely," said Christina Wilkinson, head of the Newtown Historical Society.

The City's Department of Health and Environmental Protection fought against awarding the funds for the boathouse along Newtown Creek due to heath concerns over kayaking 

on a federal Superfund site. 

Three months later however State officials overruled the concerns of the two agencies responsible for public health and the environment and approved the  $3-million boathouse and education center.   

In April 2010, the NY State DEC selected three organizations to administer Environmental Benefits Projects (EBP):  City Parks Foundation (CPF) received $7 million; New York State Energy, Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) received $2 million; and Hudson River Foundation (HRF) received $1 million.   

- Geoffrey Croft

Brooklyn

It's not just the pollution that stinks along Newtown Creek.

Local activists are crying foul over what they say is a plan to use public money to build a boathouse inside a proposed four-story hotel at 51 Ash St. in Greenpoint, on the banks of the Superfund site, according to the New York  Daily News.  

The Greenpoint Boathouse and Environmental Education Center, a volunteer group that sends canoes and kayaks down the waterway dividing Queens and Brooklyn, was awarded $3 million from the state in 2011.


Not Happening.   The project was approved for the site of the Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center at 1155 Manhattan Avenue.  Apparently there were even some GWAAP board members who were not aware of the major changes to the project.  


“It’s beyond sketchy,” Geoffrey Croft, executive director of NYC Park Advocates, said of the plan to use public funds to help build a for-profit enterprise, which was selected in 2011 and recently turned up on two local blogs, Curbed and Queens Crap. 

“No money from the city should go for a private hotel.”

The state awarded the money to the nonprofit boathouse in 2011, from a $10 million fine levied against the city for missing a deadline to improve the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. It was supposed to be based at the Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center, but the 250-member group couldn’t come to a lease agreement. 

Instead, it took up Broadway Stage’s offer to move into a series of shipping containers along the creek on land owned by the production facilities company.  


The original cost estimate for the Greenpoint Boathouse and Environmental Education Center was $ 3 million dollars which left more than half for other projects. (image: Queens Crap.  http://queenscrap.blogspot.com/2014/01/something-reeks-in-greenpoint-besides.html



Broadway Stages is now seeking zoning approval to build a private hotel on the site that would also include a two-story boathouse and community center.

“There’s absolutely no conflict of interest,” said Dewey Thompson, co-president of the North Brooklyn Boat Club. The club runs the boathouse at the mouth of the creek, near the East River. 

“The grant money is going specifically and only to building the community boathouse facility within the commercial structure,” he said. 



The North Brooklyn Boat Club in Greenpoint.


State Department of Environmental Conservation officials also said the money will be used for the boathouse, not for the hotel, and said the City Parks Foundation requested an extension for the project completion deadline, which was to expire on Feb. 18. 

But Broadway Stages president Gina Argento told a different story, saying she plans to split the cost of the entire project, which will include about half a dozen hotel rooms, down the middle with the boathouse.

“Nothing is final yet,” said Argento, who has also been identified as an investor in the controversial Knockdown Center event space in Maspeth.    

RELATED: BOATHOUSE FOUNDER IN HOT WATER


The North Brooklyn Boat Club in Greenpoint.   (Photo: Pearl Gabel/New York Daily News)

The City Parks Foundation would not comment. The city and state Health Departments and city Department of Environmental Protection did not return calls and emails.  

Local activists, however, say the plans should be re-evaluated. 

“The project that was approved is not what they are now proposing to do,” said Christina Wilkinson, president of the Newtown Historical Society. 

She also questioned the safety of boating on the polluted creek. 

“It’s ridiculous that a so-called environmental organization is promoting recreation on Newtown Creek,” she said. 

The waterway is one of the most polluted in the country, according to Environmental Protection Agency officials. 

In heavy rains, raw sewage and water ends up in the creek, said Queens College microbiologist Eli Dueker, who has studied the site. That’s in addition to the millions of gallons of oil that would up in the water. 

“There’s definitely an ‘eww’ factor,” said Dueker, though he admitted he understood the appeal of boating on the waterway. But “much of Newtown Creek is actually quite beautiful.”  

Read More:

Critics slam plan they say would use public funds to build boathouse in private hotel
New York Daily News - February 1, 2014 - By Clare Trapasso

What's Going On With Greenpoint's Newtown Creek Boathouse? 

Curbed - January 30, 2014, by Jessica Dailey

Something reeks at Newtown Creek (and it isn't the water)!

Queens Crap -  January 30, 2014  

New York Shitty
January 29, 2014

Anchors? Away! City looks to be torpedoing its own boathouse plan 

The Brooklyn Paper  -  June 23, 2011-  By Arron Short 

State approves Greenpoint boathouse

The Brooklyn Paper -  October 29, 2011 - BY AARON SHORT 

Newtown Creek communities to have their say on green projects

New York Daily News - December 1, 2010 - By Clare Trapasso

Willets Point Land Grab In Flushing Meadows Park Blasted

"Willets West is a scandal and the conspirators should not be rewarded for their illegal scheme. The city council must vote, No-and let the next mayor sort out this scandal,"  - Irene Presti  - Willets Point property owner



Under the proposal a massive 1.4 million sq. ft. mall would be built by Bloomberg-preferred developer the Related Companies in partnership with Sterling Equities, the real estate firm controlled by the owner of the Mets,  in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park on parkland currently used for Citi-Field parking.   In 2008 the Council approved the Willets Point redevelopment application but the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park acreage was not part of the plan.  The city is desperately trying to rely on a 1961 bill that never replaced parkland used for Shea Stadium. Critics of the plan argue that 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. 

Willet's Point business owner Jamie Sabetti holds up an eviction notice from HPD at Wednesday's press conference where he spoke passionately about having thirty days to vacate and not being compensated.   

"We rely on these jobs. We don't know where we are going to go," said Mr. Sabetti. "Officials hear us but they do nothing."

Willets Point United Inc. were joined by organizations representing more than 100 civic organizations, park advocates and civic leaders to oppose "the corrupt bargain at Willets West and Willets Point."

Queens

By Geoffrey Croft

Opponents of the Willet's Point West attempted land grab in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park gathered on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday and voiced their overwhelming opposition toward the mega-development project planned on more than 30 acres of public parkland.  

Under the proposal a massive 1.4 million sq. ft. mall would be built in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park on parkland currently used for Citi-Field parking.   The majority of the land for the $3 billion Willets Point project would be taken from the public parkland.  

Critics of the plan argue that 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. 

The City and Bloomberg-preferred developer the Related Companies in partnership with Sterling Equities, the real estate firm controlled by the owner of the Mets -  are attempting this without seeking State Alienation legislation as is required under state law to use parkland for non-park purposes. 

Sign On The Times.  Willet's Point business owner Jerry Antonacci blasted City Council member Julissa Ferreras for not protecting the parkland and business owners.

In 2008 the City Council approved the Willets Point redevelopment application but the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park acreage was not part of the plan.

Since then a new scheme was hatched involving the mega-developer and the owner of the Mets which does not resemble the project orginally approved in any way.

In the public parkland givaway the city is now desperately trying to rely on a 1961 bill that never replaced parkland used for Shea Stadium.   

The 1961 statute that the city and the applicants are desperately trying to rely on in order to justify being allowed to develop the public parkland for non-park purposes does not permit a shopping mall.   Administrative Code 18-118 explicitly states that any monies gained from a temporary lease on the property must go back into the property.

Back into the property not line the pockets of Related or Sterling Equity.   

The revenue must aid "in the financing of the construction and operation of such stadium, grounds, parking areas and facilities, and any additions, alterations or improvements thereto, or to the equipment thereof,"  the law states.  

Clearly this is not the case.  

The intention of the law was not to allow any project to make a permanent claim on the parkland or its facilities, because the revenue was supposed to fund the property.

The largest of the three projects being proposed in Flushing Meadows Corona Park - Willets Point West - would seize more than 30 acres of public parkland to build the City's largest mall at 1.4 million Square feet.  The city has been chipping away at the only green space many Queens residents have since Robert Moses remade it for the World’s Fairs in 1939 and 1964.   The developers first choice was to build an enormous casino project documents show.

Yesterday Willets Point United Inc. were joined by numerous organizations including Queens Civic Congress, New York City Park Advocates, members of Community Board 3, local tenant business owners, South Bronx Unite, Good Jobs NY, Save Flushing Meadows Corona Park,  and elected officials State Senator Tony Avella and City Comptroller John Liu.

Willets Point United Inc. is the property and business owners’ group that has been fighting the redevelopment of the Iron Triangle for over five years.

"What was never contemplated was that you would take parkland and built a parking mall," said Willets Point United's David Schwartz.

"This is a favor to Sterling Equities and the Wilpon family that should not be allowed to happen," he said. 

Willets Point property owner Irene Presti blasted the deal calling it,  "illegal and unethical."  saying that the Bloomberg administration is putting forward to develop the Iron Triangle, in violation of not only the not for profit lobbying laws of New York State; but by the brazen violation of Federal law. 

"In order to promote this dirty deal the city helped to set up a phony not for profit local development group headed by Claire Shulman. The group, made up of rich developers with the names Muss, Wilpon, Mattone and TDC, was never anything but a not for profit but in name only-it was put in place to advance the special interest of its real estate company members. Incredibly, NYC EDC forwarded $500,000 in tax payer funds to finance this illegal lobbying scheme."

She pointed out that  in July 2012, NY State Attorney General  Eric Schneiderman cited the violation of the law but, shamefully, failed to do anything to sanction the illegal behavior. 

"Willets West is a scandal and the conspirators should not be rewarded for their illegal scheme. The city council must vote, No-and let the next mayor sort out this scandal."

"We see that Mr. Wilpon of the Mets-the prime mover of the illegal lobbying group- has been awarded the development rights to Willets West and $200 million worth of property for $1. And there is no one with the courage to step in and put an end to this criminal scheme. Who says crime doesn’t pay?" 

Long-time critic State Senator Tony Avella called the plan a disgrace.

“Park land should be sacred,”  said State Senator Tony Avella who was only one of two City Council members who originally voted against the project. 

“The proposed Willets West Mall is part of the biggest land grab for parkland not only in Queens but in the entire City.  I voted against the original Willets Point project as a member of the City Council because, among other things, the City was using eminent domain to take private property and give it to private developers without a public benefit.  Now, the City is proposing to give away sacred parkland for private development.  That is simply unacceptable and I am proud to stand here today with Willets Point United in strong opposition to this project.” 

“This is the classic bait and switch," City Comptroller John Liu stated.  

"Because what we were promised by the administration is no longer. What's now remaining in this current plan that the administration would like to go forward with is but a semblance of what the original plan was. This has to be stopped. It is not right. It should not go forward,” the  Comptroller said. 

"We should not be encroaching on parkland illegally against New York State law," said City Comptroller John Liu.

"I want to call out one person Julissa Ferreras...for five years she's done nothing,"  said     Willet's Point business owner Jerry Antonacci.

"Everything is wrong with this and she still stands by this project. I want to know when is she going to come out and stand by the people in her community and say no, enough is enough.  Five years of lies,  five years of broken promises and do what her community voted for her to do and that's vote this down," he said.

"There's clearly no equity or no interest  in protecting the public, there's no interest  in protecting parkland, there's no interest  in protecting jobs,"  said Save Flushing Meadows Corona Park's Paul Graziano.

"There's no interest  in protecting community that use the park which desperately need it because they don't have their own places to have recreation. " 

"This is an outrageous deal," said Jackson Heights Beautification Group and CB 3 board member, Ed Westly.

"We expect our City Council member Elizabeth Crowley to vote against this project and we urge the rest to do the same," said Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together's (COMET) Christina Wilkinson.

"The process has not been at all lead by the community which is  not news to anyone here,"  commented Bettina Damiani of Good Jobs NY. 

"But this is unfortunately what the Bloomberg administration has done over and over again."

"Because we are Spanish, Latino's,  we don't need those kinds of discriminations,"  said  Willet's Point business owner Marco Neira,  "they are stealing our businesses, they are stealing our lives."

"It is the position of Willets Point United Inc. that the present land use application of Sterling Equities and Related Companies should be denied, and that a new Request for Proposals should be issued and new developer responses solicited – responses that conform to the property boundaries and the goals approved by the Council in 2008," Willets Point United said in a statement.

"Moreover, any selection of a developer must take place with the participation of the Willets Point Advisory Committee and Queens elected officials, as had been promised by the City administration in writing during 2008 but disregarded when Sterling and Related – and their plan to site a huge mall on parkland – were chosen."

Critics denounced numerous issues regarding the Willets Point redevelopment project including:

1. This was not the deal that the Council approved: The affordable housing component has been delayed and subject to escape clauses, and the agreed living wage provision has been eliminated;
2. No project - let alone a 1.4 million square foot mall - should be built on public parkland;
3. The City Administrative Code does not authorize or provide any legal basis for the construction of a mall on 30+ acres of parkland, in violation of the parkland Public Trust Doctrine;
4. No massive development should be built in this area without new access ramps being built to and from the Van Wyck Expressway before any other construction;
5. No private property should be taken to merely be paved over as a parking lot;

6.      Developers Sterling and Related were selected via a process that excluded the Willets Point Advisory Committee and Queens officials – contrary to written promises made by the City administration in 2008;

7. The City must be compensated for the $200 million it has spent to buy Willets Point property;
8. No team of billionaire developers should be given said property as a $1 gift;
9. No developer who was part of an illegal lobbying scheme should be allowed to profit for engaging in the illegality;
10. No development deal based on an illegal lobbying scheme should be approved by the City Council

Press Conference Statement from Irene Presti, Willets Point property owner

My name is Irene Presti and I own property at Willets Point that is threatened by the illegal and unethical deal that the Bloomberg administration has put forward to develop the Iron Triangle. That’s right, the entire development was promoted by a violation of not only the not for profit lobbying laws of New York State; but by the brazen violation of Federal law as well.

In order to promote this dirty deal the city helped to set up a phony not for profit local development group headed by Claire Shulman. The group, made up of rich developers with the names Muss, Wilpon, Mattone and TDC, was never anything but a not for profit but in name only-it was put in place to advance the special interest of its real estate company members. Incredibly, NYC EDC forwarded $500,000 in tax payer funds to finance this illegal lobbying scheme.

Unfortunately, this LDC was barred from doing any legal lobbying from the standpoint of the NY State law on local development corporations. Don’t just take my word for it. In July of 2012, the NY State Attorney General cited the violation of the law but, shamefully, failed to do anything to sanction the illegal behavior.

Apparently, some people are considered to be above the law and the AG even failed to demand that the Shulman group refund the illegal contribution from EDC and the tax payers. So small property owners like myself were forced to fend off the big real estate companies who were publicly funded in the campaign to take away my property.

But it gets worse folks. When the Shulman group filed for tax exempt status with the IRS there are two important boxes it checked. The first was: Will you be doing any lobbying? The second was: will you be doing any economic development? The group, lying through its teeth, answered no to both questions-even though Shulman told the NY Times that the entire purpose of the group was to lobby for the Willets Point project.

Did the IRS act on this blatant violation of the federal not for profit laws? Not on your life. It was busy chasing the Tea Party and didn’t have the time to investigate and punish a clear violation of law. So on the state and the federal level, law enforcement is a partisan activity and justice be damned!

Now, however, it gets much worse. We see that Mr. Wilpon of the Mets-the prime mover of the illegal lobbying group- has been awarded the development rights to Willets West and $200 million worth of property for $1. And there is no one with the courage to step in and put an end to this criminal scheme. Who says crime doesn’t pay?

Not only that, but the entire original development deal has been changed in a breathless bait and switch that has eliminated the affordable housing and living wage pledges that were the heart of the approval in 2008. Instead of the “next green neighborhood” we have been given a huge mall and a parking lot. For this we are abusing the eminent domain process?

I am a proud member of Willets Point United. If my group had done what EDC, Wilpon and Shulman have conspired to do, we would be under arrest and awaiting trial. Instead, Shulman remains at large and Wilpon is poised to reap billions of dollars for evading the law and ripping off the tax payers.

Willets West is a scandal and the conspirators should not be rewarded for their illegal scheme. The city council must vote, No-and let the next mayor sort out this scandal.

Critics of the plan argue that if the 30-plus acres being proposed for mall use are no longer needed for Citi-Field parking then it should revert back to its original recreational use.   (Photo: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates)

Read More:

Flushing Meadows Park Development Projects Blasted
A Walk In The Park  - July 24, 2013 

City Begins Land Use Process On Willets Point Land Grab
A Walk In The Park  - March 22, 2013  - By Geoffrey Croft

Legal Questions Emerge About Citi Field Mall

City Limits - July 30, 2012 - By Pat Arden