Graphic: New York Times
As if things weren't bad enough with local thugs threatening to manhandle local officials unless they build a NASCAR track under the Goethals Bridge, it looks like they are about to get worse. In a typical Brooklyn vs. Staten Island snub, Brooklyn politicians are attempting to install a motorsports facility that is more glamorous, more complicated, and faster than the one currently being brawled over in its greener, hillier cousin to the south. According to a recent New York Times article, local politicians in the land of Fuhgedaboudit are angling to bring a Champ Car World Series track to Floyd Bennett Field, which is currently home to the Gateway National Recreation Center.
Photo: Speed TV
vs.
Photo: NASCAR
No Competition!
We at Prodigal Borough protest! The bloated, detergent-ad splattered NASCAR vehicles can't possibly compete with lithe, physics-defying Champ cars, either for looks, pedigree, speed, or right turning ability. The article claims Paul Newman backs the Brooklyn project, which is (like) totally not cool considering that we have it on very good intelligence that Newman once hung his hat at St. George's very own Ambassador, a neighborhood art deco landmark apartment building we can see from the prodigal bedroom. What's next, the Bronx courting ALMS and Queens hosting AMF Offshore boat racing?
Let's compare: The Jets want to have a new stadium in Manhattan, used at least 10-12 weekends a year. All the city has to do is cough up the land on which to build for bargain basement price; $700,000,000 of OUR money to help build it; AND give a municipal guarantee to the bonds the Jets are going to float for their portion of the tab to get sub-market interest rates.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, NACSAR Inc. wants to build a track on abandoned farm of since-torn-down liquid natural gas tanks, land bought on the open market, located on the absolute border of the city, adjacent two major arteries out of the city, with potential ferry access, to be used 2-3 weekends per year, spending $900,000,000 of THEIR money; all the city has to do is build an off ramp.
Can someone explain what was remotely attractive about choice #1?
I see nothing remotely attractive about either proposition. In the name of openly exposed fraud, I deeply resent $700M of our tax dollar being funneled to any kind of special interests. That while Bloomberg submits a lawsuit to prevent improvements from being made in the abominable SI Ferry schedule on weekends... among other abuses of the people of our borough. If there's one thing that Bloomberg learned from Giuliani who learned it from Molinari, the people of Staten Island can be punched, drop kicked, abused, defrauded, and lied to, and barely a voice of protest is raised.
ReplyDeleteGuy Monlinari's law firm stands to profit handsomely from the NASCAR deal. I suspect that the formal objections raised by our three councilmen have partly to do with behind the scene political conflicts; and partly to do with legitimate concerns.
My question is, if not NASCAR, then what happens to that vast tract of wetlands?