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SCRAPYARDS TO HOTELS: Scrapyards and auto body shops that line the streets of Willets Point, Queens, may be replaced by hotels, retail space, and housing. (Tara MacIsaac/The Epoch Times)
FAIR PRICE
Rikon alleged that the environmental conservation law violation is only one of a few violations.
“The most glaring has been the failure to comply with the law's requirement for the city of New York to make good faith, fair market appraisals of all the properties and make written offers in the amount of 100 percent of the highest approved appraisal to all potential condemnees,” said Rikon.
He claims the most powerful landowners were appeased with beefy offers, while the smaller property owners were tossed the bones.
The EDC points to their acquisition of 90 percent of the land as evidence that many landowners were pleased with their price.
Martyn Daniel, an eminent domain and business relocation consultant, who is unconnected with the Willets Point case, speculates that the more affluent landowners may have been better able to hire appraisers and attorneys to negotiate a good price.
'HYPOTHETICAL' NATURE OF DEVELOPMENT
A final objection Rikon raised is that no developers have taken up the contract to develop the area. He says development plans are not definite enough without developers on board to warrant forcing property owners out under eminent domain.
EDC will send out the RFP (request for proposal) to developers in April. In 2009, 29 developers expressed interest in the project, so the EDC is hopeful of a bite once the line is cast.
Rikon objects that developers are not aware of the costliness of the enterprise.
“There has really been no disclosure to anyone interested in this project of the true extent of the contamination of the soil and of the fact that the soil cannot support any of the structures that they have shown on any of their imaginary plans,” said Rikon.The EDC contests, however, that everyone is aware of the soil contamination and they have always been clear that this is going to be a costly project.
"We will review any lawsuits when they are filed, but we feel confident that we are on strong footing and look forward to proceeding with our plan. Last night’s hearing was another step in the process that will allow us to transform Willets Point into a center of economic growth and the site of an historic environmental clean-up," stated Julie Wood, EDC spokesperson.
