Mayor Bloomberg
A Late Roundup of the Weekend
Sorry for the delay on these, but Mayor Bloomberg has been actively lobbying the City Council on his Willets Point plan. He’s been personally meeting with Council Members, and he appeared on NY1 to state his case. Be sure to check out both.
City Council Votes to Extend Term Limits
The New York City Council has passed legislation to extend term limits for city elected officials from two terms to three terms by a vote of 29 to 22.
More on this soon, but this will obviously have an impact on the future of Willets Point. Mayor Bloomberg is now officially running for Mayor in 2009.
Can’t say I’m thrilled with any aspect of this news. I was rooting for the next Mayor to be a strong supporter of the Willets Point plan as opposed to Bloomberg changing the rules in the middle of the game.
Monserrate Officially Against Term Limits Extension
Councilman Hiram Monserrate has come out publicly against the current plan to extend term limits. Currently, the Mayor and City Council may only serve two consecutive terms in office, but the Mayor is pushing a plan to extend those limits to three consecutive terms.
Monserrate had been on the fence with the issue but now joins a group of Council Members who oppose the proposal.
Whether or not term limits are extended will be the determining factor in whether or not Mayor Bloomberg can run once again for re-election. That, of course, could have a significant impact upon the future of Willets Point.
Despite that fact, I believe term limits should not be changed through the rushed legislative process that is taking place.
Council Hearing Could be Postponed
Stephen Sterling continues to be on top of the City Council hearing schedule for Willets Point. He’s reporting today that the hearing, which is tentatively set for Friday morning, could very well be in flux. The thing that could mess up that schedule is the hearing set to begin on Thursday afternoon regarding term limits.
If you’re interested in the whole term limits thing, by the way, be sure to check out Let NYC Vote if you’re opposed to changing them or the message from a Bloomberg supporter.
Regardless of what happens with term limits, if these hearings go very late into the night, I’m sure the Council would push back the Willets Point hearing.
Stephen also reports on the various groups that will be protesting the Willets Point plan or rallying in favor of development.
Monserrate Undecided on Term Limits
Councilman Hiram Monserrate, the main opponent of the plan to develop Willets Point, is undecided on term limits, according to the New York Observer.
The thing is, Monserrate won an uncontested primary for the Democratic nomination, which means he’s 99.9% sure of winning that seat on November 4.
If term limits are extended in the city, Monserrate could stick around as a Councilman if he’s willing to give up his State Senate race pending his re-election in 2009. Monserrate would be around the Council to continue his opposition to the project, though the main vote will take place before he has to make a decision.
If Monserrate is still in the Council, though, that means Michael Bloomberg also has a realistic shot at re-election, allowing him much more time to work on Willets Point.
Councilman Liu Calls on City to Act Quickly on Willets Point
Citing his and other Council Members’ concerns over the forthcoming vote on the plan to develop Willets Point, Councilman John Liu has called on the Mayor and his administration to move swiftly to complete deals purchasing land in Willets Point.
Liu has stated previously that he thinks the development needs to happen and is essential to the future of Queens. In that regard, he and Mayor Bloomberg sound quite similar.
The Councilman, however, is asking the City to acquire 90% of the land before resorting to eminent domain. Here’s the full text of his letter to Deputy Mayor Robert Lieber:
Dear Mr. Lieber,
With a month to go before the Willets Point redevelopment plan comes before the City Council for consideration, I am greatly concerned that the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has reached agreement with only a small number of the existing businesses with regard to the City’s plans for relocation and/or compensation. Even more problematic is my understanding that the agreements reached are non-binding on the EDC.
The EDC and this administration have consistently maintained that “one or two holdouts” should not impede progress. I can agree with that approach and application of eminent domain to condemn private property for greater public good. However, it appears at the moment that almost everyone at Willets Point is a “holdout”. At the moment, it appears the plan would invoke eminent domain to seize over 90% of properties at Willets Point.
This is patently indefensible. I implore you and the EDC to kick negotiations into high gear immediately.
After two years of what the City has described as “best efforts”, more binding agreements should have already been reached. Nonetheless, it’s not too late. There’s still a month left for negotiations. Engage the business owners ’round the clock if need be. Just don’t ask me and my colleagues to support a plan that would take land wholesale.
Good public policy sometimes necessitates invoking eminent domain to make progress. Coming to agreement for the acquisition of 90% of the land for this redevelopment and condemning the remaining holdouts probably makes sense. Seizing 90% of the land would be wrong an inexcusable, and I cannot in good conscience support a plan that amounts to that.
I am available to assist you and the EDC in any discussions and negotiations to get the job done.
Sincerely,
John C. Liu
Ultimately, the more land that can be acquired before eminent domain comes into the picture, the better. Although I hope eminent domain is truly a last resort with this project, I’d support it if that’s what it comes down to in the end.
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