The Level Playing Field Promoted Integral to Economic Development Cast Aside By Hezi Aris

 Includes Whisky Rio Update

Before  the financial crisis gripped the nation Yonkers was experiencing its own economic development meltdown. Our vision of economic development was postulated and grand in scope. We wanted to believe the rejuvenation that so often eluded Yonkers would finally make the imprint and impact we were promised it would. There were a few successes along the way that kept our resolve high. Our hopes soared at the completion of the Riverfront Library and the attached Yonkers Board of Education building, the refurbishment of the Yonkers Metro North Railroad Station, the construction of the Home Depot, Costco, Stew Leonard's shopping center, Zuppa's Restaurant, Peter Kelly's X20, the Animal Hospital on Odell Avenue, the Collins buildings on the waterfront,  66 Main Street, the Seton Manor affordable senior housing, the Classic Residence by Hyatt, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway, Mary Linehan Residence, and even more.

Public patience frayed at the edges when other projects were touted the elixir to our ills yet failed in execution for reasons suggested, some correct, some not. No matter the circumstances, they were a blight on Yonkers' effort to rejuvenate itself. Tearing apart the vision we were led to believe in was the demise of the Philipsburgh Performing Arts Center (PPAC), a $3 million blunder to which none have admitted failure or worse. The $21 million investment in and the commensurate $21  million additional losses incurred by Yonkers in getting and ridding itself of that monstrosity known as the nValley Technology Center. Even Ridge Hill cost us millions in potential windfall. We lost a $450 million lease in a sale which garnered less than $9 million, then it cost us $28 million more to save the posteriors of those who sat on its board of directors who got us into this mess in the first place (remember Ed Sheeran here). Then there was the $2 million taken from the Yonkers BoE to win our fair share in funding from Albany when in reality, Yonkers was paying the progeny of former influence peddlers their due. Further still, Homes for America, as well as its Point Street Landing  project was delayed for so long, it exacerbated its financial woes culminating in its demise. Even now, the Point Street Landing project is at least a year away from moving forward under somewhat different investors. The brownfields cleanup is still in progress.

On top of all that, we lost the Pier View Restaurant, now expected to re-open under new ownership by October 2009, Encore Caterers, Patty J's,  Lejends Restaurant, Audi's Restaurant, a woman's haberdashery on Main Street whose name eludes me, the Chartreuse Restaurant , which returned in the guise of Belle Havana yet is still on shaky grounds; in effect almost 20 businesses that have come and gone. Because I don't drive, I am more familiar with the downtown failures but there are many closed businesses and empty facades along the Central Avenue ribbon  that were considered successful businesses, but have come and gone, testing the wealthy corridor's viability.

The ruin of Homes for America  can be traced to the days when economic development guru Ed Sheeran ran the roost. He also failed miserably at every turn, incapable of asserting monetary value commensurate with Yonkers worth, he exacted little for the privilege of investing in Yonkers. He is still in the background turning the cauldron of personal failure on the city's dime having learned little from his failed schemes, plunging Yonkers headstrong toward failure in the same manner. He is even permitted to maintain a patronage mill of relatives and sycophants within City Hall to this day. The shame of it all is that the Irish Community is mum on the subject. But I understand, every ethnic group wants to protect its pride, even if it demands protecting those that should be slaughtered. He has yet to make amends.

Robert MacFarlane's purchase of land for future development under the nose of Mr Sheeran raised his wrath and it would never wane. Mr Sheeran won the battle; MacFarlane is ruined; and Yonkers was duped in the process - all to protect our "own."

Yonkers is made to suffer failed prospects. It is a self-filling prophecy exacted by petty agendas. The demise of business after business, including the yet to be revealed state of destitution at the Yonkers Parking Authority by its own hand is the iceberg by which all the other failed projects can be judged.

The latest scenario is over the Whisky Rio. For the sake of taking care of the "friends and family network" the owners of Social Caterers, the new owners of The Pier House, may also find they are the potential recipients of former "friends and family" who have won disfavor among City Hall. The Whisky Rio is being squeezed out of existence. The patio between the bar they rent from the Collins brothers and the board walk, who have refused to accept rental payment unless by a judge's ruling, has not been renewed by the Yonkers Parks and Recreation Authority. The annual license paid for the "park land" is $10,000.00. When you are not wanted, it's simply "hasta la vista, baby."

The Parks and Recreation Authority sent its people to the Whisky Rio at 7:15 this morning to take the chairs and tables that were found in the patio area. When they noticed they were being photographed, they chose to chain the chairs and tables and leave them on the property. They showed no legal document that gave them permission to take the property away or to chain it. The only one that could have done so would be a marshall. City Hall has set itself up for a major lawsuit which Yonkersites will have to pay; the reality is that those who played part in this conduct will be retired, and even if they stay, it's not their money. Any and all legal fees will be paid by the taxpayer.

Is that what economic development means in Yonkers? You decide.

Comments

[anon]

this is worse than when the city was caught sammy zherkas news boxes

[I LOVE SAM]

HEY SAM ZERKA , HEAD DOWN THERE BUY THE BAR AND I BET THE CITY WOULD NOT DO THIS TO YOU WITH JON LOVETT ON YOUR SIDE

[feds please]

Will someone from city hall, other than gay boy simpson explain whats going on down there?

[anon]

hezi,
your right again!!!!!!
yonkers will face yet again another lawsuit.
thank you mayor amicone, you are the best.

[OMG]

MASIVE CUTS YPD...........MANY TRANSFERS TODAY

[blue]

How about posting the transfers so the whole community can see how they are being screwed by the mayor. Cuts to the
PD, while no cuts to his staff, or reduction in cars.

[Anon E. Mous]

Ed Sheeran was brought to you by John Spencer, swooned over by Liam McLaughlin and Dennis Robertson, and then also embraced by Amicone.

Sheeran had a very checkered financial history involving at least one other big project (in Ireland), but that didn't seem to bother anyone. It should have.

To blue: The Council's own statement during the budget squabbling said they "anticipated" the administration would be taking about 50 city cars off the streets before too long. That comment has received no other publicity.

Also, you will have to look a long time to find any taxpayers crying over a reduction in police OT, which has been out of hand for too long.

But should some patronage jobs have gone too? Yes.

[anon]

you are a hypocrite, animus - anon e mous. Why don't you pay attention to what gronowski and others have been saying about 2nd floor patronage, city cars, cell phones etc., the very things you rant and rave about but only praise yourself for attacking. You concede nothing to any of them. You are a fake, phony and fraud and more than likely a low level something or other with nothing but bitterness. And, by the way, if it's not beyond the realm of your comprehension, take a class in government 101 and make the distinction between the executive and legislative branches of government - especially in light of this uber strong mayor form of government which we have suffered through for more than 15 years. Get someone to read some stuff to you.

[this shit stinks]

amicone has got to be the worst mayor ever.
i wouldnt open a lemonade stand in this city.

[anon1]

The clowns at the Rio have been abusing the entire area. Outraged neighbors have been calling the police, parks and the Mayor's office over the fact that they are serving booze outside, playing music and barbecuing at 2 in the morning. How would you like to live in a nearby building with this crap going on? We pay rent and taxes like everybody else. We can't open the windows because of the smoke and the noise. We deserve some piece and quiet. They can lower the music, serve their beer inside and stop keeping everyone up all night or get out of the area.

[anon]

wow did you move into your apartment before or after the pierview and whiskey rio opened? Maybe you didn't notice two outside bars underneath your window?

[Crooks]

THE MAYOR WAS AFRAID OF THE MEDIA TODAY. HE RAN BACK INTO X20 LIKE A LITTLE GIRL. HE KNOWS HE IS WRONG AND DOES NOT HAVE THE NERVE TO STEP UP. HE HIDES BEHIND THE LIES OF HIS SPOKESWOMEN DAIVD. DAVID LIED! FLAT OUT! THERE WAS 1 NOISE VIOLATION 4 YEARS AGO... NOTHING SINCE THEN. THE MAYOR AND HIS CREW ARE A BUNCH OF FAKE 2 FACED PEOPLE. LAWSUITES ARE IN THE MAKING AND THE CITY WILL PAY.

[LOL]

THE 2ND FLOOR DOES NOT RETURN PHONES CALLS OR EMAILS. THEY ARE AFRAID AND SHOULD BE... A BUNCH OF WASHED UP HACKS, THEIR TIME HAS COME.

PETERSON PUT SOME CLOTHES ON AND STOP SMOKING WEED ON YOUR ROOF.

REGAN YOUR GIRLS ARE WHORES.

AMICONE YOUR WIFE LOOKS LIKE GEORGE WASHINGTON.

LISA YOUR SON SHOULD BE IN JAIL FOR HIS MONEY UNDER THE TABLE.

[taxpayer]

Funny, I use to like going to the rio because of the bands they had and the crowds that came in, the firefighter cook off charity events, etc. You go down there now and they close early, music is low, no more bands...etc. not the same and there is simply nothing to do down there but look at the water - when it's not raining of course. Typical Yonkers.
To bad to the police dept. Rumor is that alot of guys are retiring because if this disaster situation with the budget...but keep blaming spencer / economy / council.....

[City of Hills]

How much you want to bet that when the Rio is forced out of business and one of Regan's friends takes the space over that a Parks permit will suddenly appear.

[LOL]

Was it me or did the Mayor Boy Toy David look like a gayer version of Rod Stewart on Channel 12 last night??? Not a good look bro.

By the way he lied. The Rio had 1 noise violation 4 years ago. He said there were 17 complaints...anyone can call and complain but they never turned into a violation. Also anyone can inquire about a liquior license, that does not mean anything. The judge will see this and overturn the ruling and grant the Rio their permit. David the boy toy will be called on the stand and get caught in a lie.

That's Mayor for now making the City pay for a law suit due to your own ego. Also your people will fold like lawn chairs and it will all be linked back to you and Regan and you will be gone!!!

[jack]

amicone has a 38% approval rating, he is going down as the worst mayor

[anon]

There are tons of complaints against that bar. Some of the neighbors have taken pictures of what is going on past midnight. We all have phoned and written letters to parks and the mayor. And we don't live in the building. There is so much smoke and noise and shouting and fighting that it disturbs the whole area, including the building across the way.

[silvertongue]

those guys are crazy to willingly come into downtown to open up after Pierview. They must have gotten some type of deal from the city to come in. How much?

[taxed-out]

All of this said...the whole story here is that Yonkers is anti-business.

City Hall does not do what it should to support business.

If there was conflict with rental tenants and an existing business, let the rental tenants move - or get relocated to another unit.

If there is a parking problem (which there is on the waterfront), the City should address it so that it works for everyone.

If there is a garbage collection problem, deal with it.

If permits are (not) going to be issued or renewed, talk about it in the open - and don't let "friends and family" dictate how businesses run.

But if the City of Yonkers expects to have businesses locate and thrive within its borders so that residents don't have to pay all of the taxes, WE NEED TO STOP FIGHTING WITH BUSINESS!!!

The headline for all of this Whiskey Rio/Bella Havana/Lejends/etc/etc is that Yonkers is not a good place to open a business.

That is a very scary headline for our future as taxpayers

[Peterson is Naked Now]

The Waterfront is Public Park Land and a lot of the issues are with the general public who live in the area that hang out along the walkway not the bar. You have young kids who should be home in bed running the streets and making babies in on the benches in the park. People move into a building with 2 bars with outside seating and don't think people will be there...? LOL

Give the Rio its permit.

I have seen Amicone, Regan, Peterson, Boy Toy David, Lisa and all the others stagger out of the Pier View or Rio over the years but now they want to shut them down so a new friend can come in. That's Bull Shit!

Can't wait for the judge to review this and reverse it.

[Peterson is Naked Now]

17 complaints but no violations!!!

Accused but never convicted!!!

They run an outdoor bar, there will be some noise but they have it under control.

There was 1 violation 4 years ago. They are being targeted and their Civil Rights are being violated!

I hope Help Me Howard gets involved.

[Peterson is Naked Now]

David The Boy Toy looked like a bad version on Rod Stewart in the TV interview on News 12. That outfit was not stylish and the new haircut is so 4 years ago. SO FUNNY!!!

Did he have a thin Piano Tie on? LOL

[Anon E. Mous]

Anon at 9:49 -- You are either becoming paranoid or are in need an eye exam. My comment was not critical of the Council. I simply noted the Council's statement about the cars.

I know very well the Council itself can't remove those city cars, but could turn in their own city cars -- those who have them. I also am aware of the differences between the legislative and executive branches.

And I am hardly alone in criticizing the Council for its generally lousy performances. Many others feel the same way, with reason, and many of those have posted their criticisms on this website.

[Savetheview]

I used to live on 79th and 1st Ave. NYC. The neighborhood was full of resturants and bars and people out all the time 24/7. When you live in a large city. that's the environment. Don't like it move to the country. The truth of the matter is that the waterfront epitomizes poor planning. These bottom feeders blocked one of the most beautiful views in the country with those ugly chicken coop bldgs. What do you expect, when you elect low life classless people?