By Stephen Stirling
Anger and confusion were dominant at Willets Point Monday afternoon when City Councilman Tony Avella (D−Bayside) and property owners railed against what they called city “hypocrisy” over the city Economic Development Corp.’s plan to begin moving toward eminent domain.
About three dozen Willets Point property owners and workers gathered outside Shea Trucking and Auto Repair, at 127−48 Northern Blvd., and called on the city to pursue fair negotiations with property owners or abandon its multibillion−dollar development plans altogether.
“We should all be working right now, but instead we have to come out here and fight for what is already ours,” said Jake Bono, co−owner of Bono Sawdust and Supply Co. “They say sell us your land or we’re taking it. That’s not negotiating.”
The event came about two weeks after the EDC announced its intentions to start the long legal march toward eminent domain, which allows the government to take private land under certain circumstances, by sending out letters announcing it would hold a public hearing June 22, as pursuant to state law.
But the letters never arrived, leaving property owners to wonder where they stood. Avella called this unacceptable.
“It’s amazing the hypocrisy that exists within city government,” Avella said. “Within 15 minutes of announcing we would hold this press conference, the EDC called me up and said, ‘We’re not really moving forward with it, there isn’t going to be a hearing.’”
Reached for comment, the EDC said its plan to hold a public hearing on eminent domain remained intact, but has been pushed back as it works to insure that every person affected by the potential use of eminent domain is properly informed ahead of time.
EDC spokesman Dave Lombino said the city has not deviated from its original plan.
“From the beginning we have always said that condemnation remains our method of last resort for acquiring property at Willets Point, and that we would follow the public approval process with an EDPL [Eminent Domain Procedure Law] hearing,” Lombino said. “There will be a public hearing in the coming weeks where all stakeholders will have the opportunity to testify, as required by state law, and each property owner will receive notice via mail.”
Avella said even the discussion of eminent domain is unacceptable.
“Holding the threat over these business owners’ heads is unfair,” he said. “Once you threaten eminent domain, then it’s not a fair negotiation.”
Irene Presti, who owns two lots of land on Willets Point Boulevard, said she has yet to be approached by the city.
“I got a notice two years ago saying they were going to have a scoping meeting on plans for redevelopment. After that, nothing,” Presti said. “Where are the negotiations? They know where I am.”
Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e−mail at sstirling@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 138.
