Statements by Local elected officials and candidates regarding the theft of 1/2 acre of parkland for more tennis facilities:

State Senator Tony Avella [contact]
State Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi [contact]
  • "residents of the surrounding communities, users of the park, patrons of the US Open and particularly Queens and New York City residents should weigh the benefits and look to coalesce around this project to enable the USTA to retain its top tier status for these international competitions." 
Congress Member Joseph Crowley [Call (718) 779-1400]
  • "The US Open turns the eyes of the world to Queens each summer. I’m pleased the USTA is making this investment, which will ensure the US Open remains a part of Queens for years to come. The US Open has a tremendous impact on our local economy, and these investments will ensure that visitors and New Yorkers alike will continue to enjoy the facility, the great sport of tennis and all that Queens has to offer."
Borough President Helen Marshall [contact]
  • "For generations, the Borough of Queens has played host to the US Open, a world-class sporting event and a major economic catalyst for our city.  I look forward to working with the USTA to ensure that the new additions to the National Tennis Center bring the maximum benefit to the people of the borough of Queens."
City Council Member Julissa Ferreras [contact]
  • "It is important that the USTA remains a competitive facility in the global marketplace, and this expansion will ensure that Queens continues to be home to the most state-of-the-art tennis facility in the world," said Council Member Julissa Ferreras. "As the council member who represents Corona and Flushing Meadows Corona Park, home to the USTA, I look forward to working with the USTA to ensure that the expansion of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center moves forward."

Statements by elected officials regarding the theft of 13 acres of parkland for a soccer stadium/concert venue:

State Senator Tony Avella [contact]
  • “Parkland is sacred.  And it shouldn’t be taken away for a money-making proposition.”
City Council Member Leroy Comrie  [contact]
  • “I normally try to work with the members involved before I take any position ahead of them, since things are still evolving,” he said.
City Council Member Daniel Dromm [contact]
  • "You can't just ignore our community and take our parkland away."
  • "Why are they choosing our flagship park?  Why don't they put this in Central Park?  Because they always dump on Queens. And this time, I don't think they're going to dump on Queens and be able to get away with it."
City Council Member Julissa Ferreras [contact]
  • “I’m excited to help bring MLS soccer to Queens.  But there are so many unanswered questions about the MLS proposal including identifying replacement park land, traffic and parking impacts, flooding and other environmental concerns and the need for true community input.”
  • “It is very frustrating for me to find out what the plans are. I’ve learned we’re not always going to get what we deserve. This is the time to negotiate.”
  • “It would be difficult for me to support any giveaway of public parkland that does not include solid commitments to park improvement and other community benefits.”
  • “We cannot make any deals behind closed doors.  We cannot have such an important part of our community — the lungs of our community — be negotiated in City Hall. This is important for our community; I cannot be supportive of a project that says it’s at the finish line, when we are only at the beginning.”
Former City Council Member and Borough President-elect Melinda Katz [contact]
  • Katz, who formerly chaired the Council Land Use Committee, also indicated that she needed to learn more about the proposal before making up her mind, especially since other developments are taking place on public parkland and any more greenspace taken for private gain, a process called alienation, is a serious issue.

    “I think it’s got to be looked at overall,” she said. “Alienation of parkland should never, ever be taken lightly.”
Assembly Member Francisco Moya [contact]
  • "This is exactly what this community needs."
State Senator Jose Peralta [contact]
  • "Let’s recognize a good deal for what it is. And bringing a big-league soccer franchise to Queens and rejuvenating Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is certainly a good deal. It’s an even better deal when you factor in the economic impact."
  • “I share the concern over lost park space, which is why my final support is contingent on the replacement space that is secured.  If that concern is addressed, there is a great deal to like about the project — jobs, economic activity and improvements to the park, all privately funded.”
    City Council Member Peter Vallone, Jr.  [contact]
  • “It is not possible for me to support this project without knowing any specifics.  I would need to know exactly where the comparable parkland will be. And I’m not going to accept vague promises.”

LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND CANDIDATES AGAINST THE THEFT OF 42 ACRES OF PARKLAND FOR A SHOPPING MALL:

*State Senator Tony Avella (Queens Borough President Candidate) [contact]

City Council Member Dan Halloran [contact]

City Council Member Peter Vallone, Jr.

* Voted against the project in 2008 while a member of the City Council

Local elected officials and candidates in favor of the theft of 42 acres of parkland for a shopping mall:

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn [contact]

State Senator Toby Stavisky [contact]

Assembly Member Francisco Moya [contact]

State Senator Jose Peralta (Queens Borough President candidate) [contact]

City Council Member Julissa Ferreras [contact]

City Council Member Leroy Comrie  (Queens Borough President candidate) [contact]

City Council Member Karen Koslowitz (former Deputy Borough President) [contact]

Borough President-elect and former City Council Member Melinda Katz [contact]

Borough President Helen Marshall [contact]

+Deputy Borough President Barry Grodenchik  [contact]

* Voted in favor of eminent domain at Willets Point 2008, without demanding that parkland not be touched as part of the final plan.  When plan revealed in 2012, they all stayed silent.  So did the City Council Parks Committee (see below).
+ Lobbied for the project as a member of the Parkside Group consulting firm