Battery Park City Authority Fishy Deal

During these times of economic turmoil when people are losing their jobs and their homes the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) is spending $30 million to renovate Pier A in order for a high end restaurant to open. A while ago, the BPCA awarded a long term lease to Lower Manhattan Restaurateur Harry Poulakakos while rejecting a plan that would have turned the last unoccupied historic building in Battery Park City for an Italian American Museum. This process was done with virtually no community review or input. 

One has to question how a State Authority could spend $30 million to accommodate a for profit restaurant while at the same time government agencies that take care of the neediest among us are having their budgets slashed? Bill Thompson, who heads the BPCA and would like to be the City's next mayor should be made to answer why his authority is squandering money while essential services are being cut from those that need it the most? If these are decisions that he is making as the head of an authority one should be concerned about what decisions he would make as a mayor of New York. 

The Italian American Community would still like the BPCA to justify their refusal to utilize Pier A for an Italian American Museum. All we were asking for was to lease this magnificent building.  I said LEASE, we did not ask for it for free. Unlike previous deals that were made by the BPCA, deals that we totally support, the granting of the land and air rights for the Museum of Jewish Heritage and the land and construction of the Irish Famine Memorial. These decisions were right and should be applauded. However, the question still remains, why was the Italian American Community slapped in the face and told NO? With the creation of an Italian American Museum at Pier A we could have had a museum corridor, which would have started at the Irish Famine Memorial to the Museum of Jewish Heritage to the Italian American Museum and end at the Museum of the American Indians. 

Italian Americans are the only major ethnic group in New York that has NO class A cultural institution. The museums that we have are extremely small and are given the crumbs that fall off the table of the other groups in this City. Ever since we arrived on these shores we have contributed to the very fabric of this Country. We were in the forefront of major inventions that made America so great. We discovered cures for diseases, built magnificent structures and when it was time to show our love for America we did so without hesitation in the various wars and conflicts.We did it then and will do it always. 

Recently, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn announced with such pride that she was allocating $11 million for a new Irish Arts Center. Bravo Speaker Quinn. Is there anyone out there that even gives a damn about our Italian American Community? If you are there, speak up and let your voice be heard.In the meantime we will continue to fight for our share of the pie. 

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