“BE careful what you wish for” was the advice I doled out back in November upon the initial opposition to HQ2 coming to LIC. With the appointment this week of our State Senator Mike Gianaris as one of only three voting members of a board – any of whom can veto the Amazon deal – Gianaris now owns whether this deal can be negotiated to his liking, or if Amazon walks. In doing so I hope that he is taking into consideration all of his constituents and not just pandering to that au courant segment of his political party that seems to be grabbing headlines the past few months.
It’s quite a turn in the spotlight for the Senator, who like most local officials usually takes a back seat to our charismatic and outgoing City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer. The New York Times wrote a profile of Gianaris yesterday in which he stated “that his opposition was grounded in a commitment to fighting economic inequality: ‘This is an inflection point about the direction of our country, and how we handle one of the greatest issues of our time.’ Hmm.
While LICtalk agreed from the outset that NYC probably could have struck a much better deal, even with the enormous price tag this is not a national issue. More importantly, it’s a huge win for Long Island City. Please don’t conflate the two when you get to the bargaining table.
Amazon Opponent Picked For Powerful State Board That Could Stop Project – Gianaris represents the Long Island City neighborhood where Amazon’s new headquarters will be located
Amazon Wants to Come to New York. This Senator May Stand in The Way – “Mr. Gianaris’s opposition to the deal has won him progressive accolades at a time when the demographics in his district are rapidly changing”
Michael Bloomberg: Amazon Didn’t Need NYC Incentives – would have come anyway given all that NYC/LIC has to offer
New Poll: 80% of Queens Voters Approve of Amazon Coming – as do 77% of voters who live in Gianaris’ Senate district
Renting in LIC: What $2,900 Will Get You – a brand new white box
BQX Plan Expected to Roll Into Next Phase – NYC about to waste $7 mil on an environmental plan
LIC Bagel Opens at 41-02 27th Street – Dutch Kills gets bagels
Why The Library Took So Long – and what to do about it in the future
j rashnee says
February 8, 2019 at 2:27 pmLooks like amazon may be walking…
Really? says
February 8, 2019 at 4:04 pmReach out to your elected officials! Support HQ2
Senator Michael Gianaris
District Office
31-19 Newtown Avenue Suite 402
Astoria, NY 11102
Phone: 718-728-0960
Fax: 718-728-0963
gianaris@nysenate.org
Assembly Woman Nolan
District Office
47-40 21 Street Room 810
Long Island City, NY 11101
Phone: 718-784-3194
Fax: 718-472-0648
NolanC@nyassembly.gov
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer
District Office
47-01 Queens Boulevard Suite 205
Sunnyside, NY 11104
718-383-9566 phone
718-383-9076 fax
JVanBramer@council.nyc.gov
Mayor Bill DeBlasio
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
Phone: 212-NEW-YORK
Congresswoman Maloney
31-19 Newtown Ave.
Astoria, NY 11102-1391
Phone: 718-932-1804
Fax: 212-860-0704
Kevin says
February 10, 2019 at 6:28 pmUpdate: Michael Gianaris’ e-mail box is currently full with Google replying that e-mail delivery will be retried in 24 hrs. Keep at it!
Local Politicians Don’t Have Our Best Interest In Mind says
February 10, 2019 at 10:00 amYour next article should focus on how detrimental it is for our vocal, local politicians to put “blinders” on and not even offer a proposal for Amazon to consider. What is Senator Gianaris and Van Bramer’s plan besides gathering people who who are opposed to the deal and attracting media attention to get their name/agenda out there? They don’t care about the local businesses. They don’t care about improving the neighborhood. They don’t care about bringing different types of jobs to the community. They don’t want to inspire people to study and work hard to join in a company’s success. They don’t want a productive conversation.
If Amazon leaves NYC, what are they going to do to ensure the city moves forward properly? Another city will pay them to come because they know the value they provide. Why is our city so blind?
Michael says
February 10, 2019 at 6:26 pmWell said, the unfortunate reality is that for these politicians, tough talk is the cheapest and easiest route to success. If they actually came up with an alternative, the politicians would be accountable for delivering on that plan. However, none of these politicians have the power to fix any of the problems they highlight: they can’t find $25 billion to fix public housing, can’t change MTA union benefits and power that take priority over using tax and ridership revenue to fund subway maintenance and they can’t state laws to eliminate subsidies for companies that were put in place precisely because NY Upstate voters want to use NYC tax money subsidize upstate industrial concerns. So what’s left is talk to excite a vocal minority that doesn’t understand NY state politics but wants “change” with a game of chicken.
Kevin says
February 10, 2019 at 11:22 amCall, sign and share this petition so that our elected officials will listen to the vast majority of LIC and Queens residents who welcome Amazon:
https://www.change.org/p/long-island-city-small-businesses-collect-signatures-in-support-of-amazon-hq2-in-long-island-city?recruiter=879052992&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition
Peter says
February 10, 2019 at 10:06 pmIt is very dumb to give away such huge opportunity. If Amazon walks, other businesses won’t want to deal with LIC. Smart people grab such opportunity and resolve challenges.
Local Politicians Don’t Have Our Best Interest In Mind says
February 11, 2019 at 10:09 amMaybe an article should be written comparing the potential of a LIC world where (a) Amazon stays & what that could look like for the neighborhood & state vs (b) Amazon leaves & what that could look like for the neighborhood & state. Short and mid-term, those worlds are DRASTICALLY different for New Yorkers.
Then maybe an article could be written about whether Jimmy Van Bremer’s position (this morning on Fox5NY) that the HQ2 jobs won’t be accessible to everyday New Yorkers makes sense. Corey Johnson stated on Fox5NY that Amazon wants to come here for our deep talent. Doesn’t that directly conflict with each other? What is an “everyday New Yorker”? Doesn’t Amazon coming to NY mean they will employ New Yorkers? Doesn’t the promise of high-paying jobs lure young people to study harder so they can work hard to obtain those jobs? Isn’t that the point of educating yourself and finding a good job to pay for your family? And wouldn’t Amazon being in NY mean that retail, construction and services businesses booming in LIC will also help everyday New Yorkers? Would be interesting to hear what you may be able to offer regarding these questions.