Don’t Forget Areas Around New Mets Stadium, Mayor Is Advised

The almost universal welcome Mayor Michael Bloomberg received 10 days ago from Queens leaders when he announced a new Mets stadium would anchor the city Olympics 2012 bid was quickly followed last week by calls for details on how city funds committed for the project would be spent.

Lawmakers from areas near the Flushing stadium site and others also wanted assurances that the communities near the site would be brought into the planning so that the broader Flushing area would benefit from the city’s new plan.

Just about summing up the general feelings expressed was City Councilmember Hiram Monserrate’s message to the mayor. The Corona lawmaker, after hailing the new stadium project for bringing new jobs and economic growth to Queens and dramatically changing the face of the Willets Point community, further declared, “Before we invest $160 million of state and city money, plus other incentives, to improve the site for a new Mets stadium, we must ensure that everyone in the community feels the benefits of the new project.

“Also, if we are going to partner with the Mets on this project they must become active partners with us in bettering our mutual home. The mayor’s office was effective in developing a plan to build a stadium in a matter of days, and now I ask that they show the same commitment to building more schools and affordable housing in our community.”

Monserrate said the community, which is just next door to the stadium site deserves careful planning and consideration for the environmental impact and infrastructure adjustments to address new, heavy traffic.

Another Corona representative, Assemblymember Jose Peralta (D) reminded the Mets he had been talking to them for two years about a community Partnership Agreement “and for two years, they have been balking at the opportunity.”

Peralta added: “For too long, the Wilpon family has neglected the neighborhoods surrounding Shea Stadium. Now is the time for the Wilpon family to step up to the plate and work, not only for the Olympic Stadium, but for the long-term benefit of the community.”

Among the others addressing various aspects of the stadium and Olympics issues were Councilmembers John Liu and Tony Avella, and Leroy Comrie; state Senator Toby Stavisky and Democratic mayoral candidate Fernando Ferrer.

In contrast, Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. (D–Astoria) hailed the mayor. “After striking out earlier in the game, the mayor adjusted his swing and hit one into the next ball park,” Vallone declared.

Congressmember Joseph Crowley (D–Queens/Bronx) speaking as a longtime Mets fan, told the mayor, “I am excited to see the plan for a new and improved stadium and look forward to working with the mayor and the Queens community as we progress.”

Crowley added, “The new stadium will offer a much-needed facelift for the surrounding communities.”

Liu (D–Flushing), chair of the council Transportation Committee, urged the mayor to redirect the $2 million he had committed to the No. 7 line extension in Manhattan to other much-needed transportation projects in Queens and throughout the city.

Specifically, Liu proposed spending $625 million to rehab all 18 stations along the No. 7 line; $50 million for rehab of the LIRR stations at Willets Point and Main Street, Flushing, and $900 million for street and highway improvements to accommodate traffic growth during the Olympics.

Stavisky (D–Flushing) said it was essential that if New York City were to win the bid for the games, that in 2013 a flourishing mixed-use facility would remain.” It’s not only about the games, it’s about our future,” she said.

Comrie (D–St. Albans), chair of the council Queens delegation, said he was concerned about the impact on the community and so wants to ensure that this overall plan is an enhancement to the community, not a burden.

Avella said that before he could support the Queens Olympic stadium proposal, he needed to know how the city intends to deal with a huge traffic problem generated not only by the Olympic events, but also by almost eight years of construction activity. “My district and all of Northern Queens would effectively be landlocked and unable to get to the other side of the borough and the city,” he claimed.

Ferrer said he was glad Bloomberg “has finally come around to what we have all been suggesting for a long time,” but he said he had deep concerns about the city spending an extra $100 million of taxpayer dollars on the conversion of the Mets stadium into an Olympic venue. He said the cost for that should be paid by NYC 2012.

A statement by Raymond Irrera, Queens Chamber of Commerce president, welcomed the mayor’s plan. Irrera said his businessmen’s organization now envisions a comprehensive plan to link the stadium development with transportation recreation and other economic enhancements, including a new Exposition Center and hotel at the epicenter of the Flushing Meadows–Corona Park/Willets Point area.

David Oats reported that his Queens Olympic Committee (QOC), which had presented a Queens–centered Olympic plan earlier, had now been contacted by the NYC 2012 committee and had accepted an offer to add its efforts to those of NYC 2012 to bring the Olympics to Flushing.