Fight Over FreshDirect Facility Continues
Observer Politics
Hunter Walker
The plan to open a new headquarters for online grocer FreshDirect in the the Bronx continues to draw a mixed reception from local politicians and community members. Today, Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito sent a letter to the NYC Industrial Development Agency asking them to slow the approval process for the $74 million in tax exemptions being provided to the company as part of a $127.8 million package of grants, tax credits and other incentives from the City, the State, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.’s office and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation. Meanwhile, Mr. Diaz and the BOEDC announced they reached an agreement with FreshDirect to address concerns of those opposed to the plan and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce issued a statement in support of the FreshDirect facility.
Proponents of the FreshDirect move argue it will bring jobs to the area and preserve 2,000 existing jobs that would have been lost if FreshDirect, which is currently located in Long Island City, left New York. Those opposed to the proposal have a number of concerns including; the facility’s environmental impact, the use of public funds, the company’s relationship to the community, the lack of input on the deal from local residents and the quality of jobs at FreshDirect. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation approved the package of incentives for FreshDirect after New Jersey Governor Chris Christie aggressively lobbied and offered a $100 million bid to bring FreshDirect to the other side of the Hudson. The deal was announced before a scheduled public hearing on the FreshDirect facility that was held last Thursday.
In her letter to the IDA, Ms. Mark-Viverito asked the agency to delay its vote on the proposal to allow for more feedback from area residents.
“To hold a public hearing after an agreement was already announced in the press, and then schedule a final vote just a few days later, makes the City’s agreement with Fresh Direct seem like nothing short of a done deal,” Ms. Mark-Viverito wrote. “I understand that the City and State entities involved have engaged in a real effort to gain a number of concessions and reassurances from Fresh Direct to assuage community concerns, but since the vote is coming so soon after yesterday’s public hearing, members of the surrounding community feel that their concerns are not genuinely being taken into account.”
