Queens Gazette

Queens Projects To Go Forward Despite Loss Of Games





Designed by architectural firm Morphosis, the proposed Olympic Village in Queens West could still be built, even though New York City lost the bid for the 2012 Olympic games to London. Instead of housing athletes, residential units in the complex would be rented or sold at either subsidized or market rates to residents of New York City.

Designed by architectural firm Morphosis, the proposed Olympic Village in Queens West could still be built, even though New York City lost the bid for the 2012 Olympic games to London. Instead of housing athletes, residential units in the complex would be rented or sold at either subsidized or market rates to residents of New York City.

Queens officials wasted little time lamenting the loss of the 2012 Summer Olympics, instead focusing on the benefits gained from the effort and looking ahead to a future campaign to win the 2016 games.

Enthusiasm is still running high to get on with planning for the new Mets stadium in Flushing along with the Willets Point makeover, both projects a legacy of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s 11th hour bid to snatch victory from defeat.

Although the mayor has not indicated whether he will seek to bring the 2016 games here, there is considerable support for the idea here in Queens. Among those indicating their approval were Congressmembers Anthony Weiner and Gregory Meeks, City Councilmember Helen Sears, Assemblymember Brian McLaughlin and the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

Another surprise development following the gloom in Singapore when London was awarded the games was the possibility that the Olympic Village planned on the Queens West site may still go forward under an altered scenario to build affordable housing there.

Borough President Helen Marshall favors the new plan, as does Weiner. A spokesman for the mayor said the plan will go forward, but Queens West officials have not signed off on the project yet.

The new Mets stadium proposal got a big boost as the recent state legislative session wound to a close. The Queens assembly delegation, Assemblymember Michael Gianaris reported, not only voted to provide $75 million for infrastructure improvements related to the new stadium, but also set up meetings with Mets officials to solidify the plans, Gianaris said.

Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry (D–East Elmhurst) has been chosen as point man for the delegation in those discussions, Gianaris said. In addition to the new stadium and Willets Point issues, Gianaris said, other ideas being discussed include developing the Flushing Bay waterfront similar to Baltimore’s successful Inner Harbor project, which would bring restaurants and retail stores to the waterfront areas.

“This is an opportunity for the city and state to make Flushing Meadows–Corona Park a world class destination for sports, the arts and entertainment,” Aubry declared.

The borough’s business community reiterated its strong support for the Mets/Willets Point project following the 2012 Olympic bid loss.

Queens Chamber of Commerce President Raymond Irrera said that his organization looks forward to working with the city to fine-tune New York’s proposal to ensure New York City’s chosen to host the 2016 games, and added that major efforts in this direction would include moving forward with plans to build a new Shea Stadium, develop Willets Point and fulfill the chamber’s vision of bringing an exposition center/hotel to Queens County, all of which will create new jobs and improve the economy of both the borough and the city.

Regarding the Queens West housing project, Marshall stated, “Construction will also move forward on the Queens West development along the East River and much needed housing will be built. I am committed to achieving these goals and the momentum needed to reach them is still here.”

Weiner said he supported the idea and advised the mayor to get on board with it, too. In response, a mayoral spokesman rapped Weiner for not supporting the Olympic bid, but Bloomberg aides also said the projects Weiner listed will go forward.

However, it was also reported that

Charles Gargano, chairman of the state Economic Development Corporation, which has oversight over the Queens West development, said that Queens West is going to hire a consultant to recommend whether or not any plans for the Olympic Village site can be incorporated into the general Queens West project plan.

Perhaps because he will not be in office in 2016, even if he wins a second term this year, Bloomberg has not had anything to say about the city pursuing the games for that year.

However, in addition to the general public looking favorably on the idea, according to some polls, several elected officials are beating the drums to bring the event here 11 years from now.

McLaughlin, who was a strong supporter of the 2012 Olympics, seems equally supportive of making the city the site for the 2016 version.

In a statement issued after he returned from Singapore, where he was part of the official Bloomberg party, he said regarding 2016: “We proved that we could pull together all segments of the city to make a strong, viable proposal that would let the rest of the world know what New Yorkers have known for so long. This is an exciting, secure spot on the map, with vibrancy and endurance that few other places can boast.

“While I am sorry we were not given the chance to strut our stuff this time around, the experience has reaffirmed that New York City can compete with the best.”

Sears (D–Jackson Heights), also a strong supporter of the 2012 bid, said after New York City lost out to London: “It is my hope that the founders and supporters of NYC 2012 will not be disheartened and will carry on the Olympic dream into the 2016 bidding process. I am certain that my colleagues and I who supported NYC 2012 will do so again in the future, no matter what position we hold.”

“Also, as we think ahead to the future, we must not forget the grand economic redevelopments promised to us across the entire city.”

Following the loss of the 2012 bid last Wednesday, Weiner stated: “The push for the 2016 Olympics begins today. And the right plan for 2016 puts Queens at the center from Day 1. As I said over a year ago, Queens is the right place for an Olympic stadium. But the process has to get better.”

Meeks (D–Southeast Queens) conceded the vote handing the 2012 Olympics to London was “disappointing,” but on the other hand was encouraging about New York’s chances for the 2016 games.

In a recent
Daily News
poll, 58 percent of those surveyed said the city should try for the 2016 games.


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