SOME ARTICLES & LINKS TO IMPORTANT ARTICLES ABOUT THE GOLF COURSE
you have to copy and paste some sorry
The eastern section of Ferry Point Park, located at a bend of the East River next to the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, is one of the bleakest sites in New York City.
The former municipal landfill is marked by bulldozer tracks and large hills of grayish dirt. In recent years, residents of the adjacent Throgs Neck neighborhood heard repeated promises that this 222-acre wasteland would be transformed into the city's first luxury golf course, complete with a new 20-acre waterfront park and a 7-acre community park.
A decade ago, the prospect of that golf course, along with an anticipated downzoning of the area, helped spark a housing boom on undeveloped lots adjacent to the park. Dirt streets were paved, sewers were installed, and hundreds of two- and three-family homes were erected.
But environmental problems stalled the project, and in 2006, the Bloomberg administration cancelled the city's contract with the private developers who were to build and operate the golf course.
Now, the city has announced that it will build the new links itself. In it for the long haul
Throgs Neck residents are hopeful that if the plan goes off without a hitch, their property values will rise and they'll be looking out over a golf course rather than a pile of dirt by 2010.
City Council Member James Vacca, a resident of Throgs Neck, said that since 2000, 300 to 400 homes have been built on what were vacant lots.
"They sold for top dollar," Vacca said. "I think that they eventually would have been built anyway, but they wouldn't have commanded those prices — it was the allure of looking out over a golf course."
Some say the prospect of the Ferry Point Park course has been influencing the area's real estate market for the past 30 years.
"In the 1980s and 1990s, there were some houses that were built in the area, which people bought in anticipation of the golf course," said Lynn Gerbino, president of the Throggs Neck Homeowners Association, which still uses the traditional spelling of the neighborhood's name.
She added, "I would say that some of the houses for sale were sold above market rate."
Despite the fallow links, data show new homeowners in the neighborhood have not done badly. Figures accumulated by PropertyShark.com show that home values within the 18-block stretch adjacent to Ferry Point Park have increased in the past several years. The median home sales price rose from $315,000 in 2003 to $488,800 in 2007.
"Anyone who bought after 1999 saw their real estate values go up significantly to begin with," said Marcia Davis, an associate broker with Coldwell Banker. "So they certainly were not hurt."
However, many homeowners have recently been hit hard by the subprime crisis. The streets adjacent to Ferry Point Park are dotted with "for sale" signs.
According to a recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the 10465 zip code, which includes the area of Throgs Neck adjacent to the golf course, ranks 78th out of the 2,205 New York State zip codes in terms of the number of subprime first lien loans.
More shockingly, approximately 47 percent of the subprime loans in the 10465 zip code are in default by at least 30 days.
Increased property values
If the golf course gets built, it could provide some buffer against any potential downturn in property values.
"Certainly, getting it done and looking attractive would raise the value of homes nearby a minimum of 10 percent, depending on proximity and view," said Barry Hersh, associate director of the Steven L. Newman Real Estate Institute at Baruch College.
Dorothy DeMarco, principal at the Bronx-based Town and Country Homes and Properties, said that the houses will increase in value "because it will become a much more attractive and glamorous location."
But DeMarco said that she is still not convinced the course will get finished anytime soon. "I have been disappointed before; it has been such a difficult development.
"But it is going to happen," she added. "It is just a question of time."
The original Giuliani-era project was one of the largest concession agreements in the history of the city's Department of Parks and Recreation. Ferry Point Partners, a group of private developers that included golf legend Jack Nicklaus and New York City-based developer Paul Kanavos, won the contract to build and operate the course.
The project had the enthusiastic backing of Mayor Giuliani, who announced in December 2001, just three days before he left office, that he was negotiating with the Professional Golfers' Association to bring a major tournament to the site.
However, the project was mired in controversy. Lawsuits centered on both environmental issues and the legality of the contract between the city and the developer.
A boondoggle
The course was supposed to have been completed in the spring of 2002, but its building dragged on for years. Instead of becoming a world-class greenway, Ferry Point Park became a boondoggle.
Environmental problems caused by the underlying landfill plagued the project and caused repeated delays. In November 2006, when the city terminated its contract with Ferry Point Partners, the New York Times reported that the estimated cost of the golf course had risen from an initial $22.4 million to $84 million.
Local historian Bill Twomey noted that during that time, truckloads of construction and demolition debris were brought in, intended to serve as a base layer for the new links.
In the spring of 2007, months after the Bloomberg administration terminated the contract with Ferry Point Partners, the city issued an RFP for a new developer to build and operate a golf course at Ferry Point Park. The city received just two bids, both of which were deemed unsatisfactory.
So this time, instead of turning the project over to a private developer, the city is taking matters into its own hands. It will be hiring its own contractor to build the golf course, and will then broker a separate agreement with an operator once the links have been built.
In announcing the RFP in January for a contractor, Mayor Bloomberg said, "Leaving this land fallow doesn't serve anyone."
The former landfill still causes problems, which will presumably be resolved once the golf course gets built. Dust blows off the dirt hills, and people complain of smells wafting from the site. "When the wind blows the wrong way, you get a terrible stench coming from the dump," said Davis from Coldwell Banker, "but when the golf course gets built, you are not going to have that."
Vacca, who first started advocating for a golf course at Ferry Point Park in the late 1970s when he was a member of the local community board, said that he is cautiously optimistic. "It's been a long haul," he said. "I am waiting; I am holding my breath."
Reclamation project article
Ferry Point or Fairy Tale
http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/ron.mon/2008/03/07/ferry_point_golf_course_in_da_bronx_ferr
Alec Appelbaum shows current sketch of Future Course 1/11/08
NEW! New York Magazine Golf Course 2008
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/tags/ferry%20point
NEW! Article from Bronx Beat Architects bid on Golf Course 2008
Article from Anne Swartz Gotham Gazette Golf Course Update.
http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/parks/20010701/14/628
NEW! NYC Park Dept. Golf Course press release 2007
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_newsroom/press_releases/press_releases.php?id=19867
http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/parks/20030321/209/320
http://www.gothamgazette.com/landuse/mar.00.shtml
http://gothamgazette.com/forums/read.php?23,8745
Vaccas campaign plus golf
http://www.gothamgazette.com/campaign2005/13
http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/parks/20011201/14/623
http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/parks/20010101/14/164
http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/parks/20010701/14/628
Parks uses with mention of Golf at FP
http://www.gothamgazette.com/iotw/parkuse/
http://gothamgazette.com/forums/read.php?20,8436
http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/parks/20001001/14/637
Freight Barges and emissions Hunts Point
http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/waterfront/20030430/18/367
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WHAT IS THE FAILED EX- DEVELOPER OF THE EAST SIDE GOLF COURSE J. PIERRE GAGNE UP TO?
Do your Searching under these Titles.
check out the article below!
Gagne Development Company (Whiteplains)
Gagne Development (Conn.) (Austin, Texas)
Ferry Point Partners
Ferry Point PartnersLLC
Ferry Point Golf and Recreation
Ferry Point Golf and Conference Center
http://newsok.com/article/2972412/?print=1
Thu November 16, 2006
Lake Texoma lodge to be sold to developer
By Julie Bisbee
Staff Writer
Commissioners of the Land Office on Wednesday voted to accept a proposal to sell the Lake Texoma lodge and surrounding land to a developer for $14.6 million.
To make way for construction crews, the state-owned lodge will close Dec. 1.
Point Vista Development LLC agreed to pay the state $14.6 million for the 758 acres it plans to develop into a resort.
The development group, comprising of Mark Fischer, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Chaparral Energy, and Aubrey McClendon, chairman and chief executive officer of Chesapeake Energy, plans to add a 240-room convention center and hotel during the first phase of construction.
The plan also calls for two 18-hole golf courses, 250 to 350 condominium homes and other features such as an aquatic center, Fischer said.
The development group was chosen from a pool of three bidders.
Point Vista Development, formerly known as Texoma Development LLC, was the highest bidder on the property.
The state agreed in March to sell the property to another developer for $14 million, but the deal fell through when Gagne Development of New York failed to make an initial $1 million earnest payment.
An evaluation team looked at the new proposals before making a recommendation to members of the Land Commission.
Point Vista got the group's endorsement because the development seemed more likely to "stand the test of time," said Keith Kuhlman, director of the real estate management division for the state Land Office.
Fischer said his group wants to create a resort that would draw visitors and conferences from outside Oklahoma.
Construction on the convention center is expected to be completed by summer 2008, Fischer said.
A second hotel catering to weekend visitors also is part of the plan, he said.
"We want something that will also cater to the fishing community," he said.
Point Vista beat out a proposal put together by Lake Texoma Development Co., a group made up of the partners of Harding & Shelton Inc., an Oklahoma City oil company and Jim Brewer, a developer in Bricktown.
Their proposal had called for 450 home sites that would have added to the area's tax base, said Charles F. Harding, owner and vice president.
"It would have been a big stimulus for the community," Harding said.
AUSTIN TEXAS ELECTION PROMISES INCLUDE GAGNE DEVELOPMENT PROMISES
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/election/propositions_2000.htm
Proposition No. 3
The lease, for a term not to exceed 99 years, of a maximum of 400 acres of parkland owned by the City of Austin on the northeast side of Lake Walter E. Long; the land to continue to be owned by the City and leased to and managed by an entity owned or controlled by Gagne Development Company, Inc., to be used for a hotel, golf course, conference center, and other related facilities, under a lease agreement, with the land and improvements reverting to the sole possession and control of the City at the end of the lease term.
Approval of this proposition would allow for the development of a hotel, conference center and golf courses in the Desired Development Zone at Lake Walter E. Long. Although a private development, a vote by Austin residents is necessary since the proposal would utilize 400 acres of undeveloped City parkland.
The proposed development would include:
€ A 250-room hotel, with the potential to be expanded to 350 rooms.
€ A 65,000 square foot conference center.
€ Two 18-hold golf courses that would be open to the public.
€ Driving range.
€ Putting green.
€ Clubhouse and Pro Shop.
€ Other recreational amenities, including a 224-seat restaurant; 90-seat lounge; health club; and tennis courts.
Annual revenue to the City’s General Fund from the project, including the $1 million ground lease that the developer is proposing to pay for the lease of the property, would be approximately $1.5 million. Through a September 2000 resolution, the Austin City Council has expressed an intent to dedicate 40% of this revenue to affordable housing, with the remainder being subject to appropriation for other purposes. Annual revenue to the Austin Convention Center Fund would be approximately $900,000. Annual revenue to Austin Energy would be approximately $400,000. On an all-funds basis, the City would receive annually approximately $2.8 million. In addition, the proposal is expected to generate between 300 and 400 permanent new jobs in this currently underdeveloped part of East Austin.
Poughkeepsie Journal
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Retailers slow to join environmental campaign
Locally, merchants are taking less costly steps
By Sarah Bradshaw
Pierre Gagne, of Connecticut-based Gagne Development Co., discussed another setback. |
He is the developer of the proposed St. Andrews at Historic Hyde Park project that will include housing and commercial space. |
"Green elements have not been officially adopted as a formal standard in any community," Gagne said. "However, there are procedures that may become more official, that professional engineers, architects and developers are using to create a more green environment." |
The privatization of the Lake Texoma state lodge was put on hold Thursday after Gagne Development Company Inc. of Connecticut was unable to raise enough cash to commit to the land sale.
Commissioners of the Land Secretary Clifton Scott said he sent a letter to the development company on Thursday informing them that the bid process would be reopened after the company was unable to provide a $1 million deposit of earnest money that was requested to allow the contract negotiations to continue for ...
Written by Dorothea Poggi
as the Vice Pres.Ferry Point Civic Association during the time it was disbanded and usurped by a different group of neighbors. At this time Dotti was using the Group Name as follows:
We at the Ferry Point Community Association (later to become the Ferry Point Community Advocates) are writing to make a point to stop the consideration of a new Permit that has been applied for by Pierre Gagne and Laws Construction. To allow these companies to increase the volume of dirt on site, create a rock crushing, asphalt receiving, day and night operation at this site, and hydraulically compound the existing fill to 2 or less feet seems to be another misguided mistake at this point.
The constant contradictions in Pierre Gagne’s speeches alone should tell us this:
1. The original agreement that was voted on by Henry Stern, said that the developers would be using their own 22 million dollars as an investment to construct this Golf Course.
1a. Instead the Contractor is collecting 7.50 -12.75 per cubic yard for the material dumped in this landfill, with the excuse that this is the money needed to build the course.
2. The original agreement that Fernando Ferrer signed was with the stipulation that he wanted the greenway not to be cut off but to continue through the promenade to connect to Pelham Bay as was planned since Robert Moses created this Landfill/Beach.
2a. This design was later changed to cut off with a fence instead of a wall.
3. Ferry Point Partners (Golden Bear, Gagne Developers, Ferry Point Golfing) was supposed to invest 22 million to build this course.
3a. The Gagne Developing Co. is collecting money running a landfill business, on Parks property, without paying rent, for 5 years. There is one bulldozer and a rusty trailer collecting millions that is unaccountable. Trailers come and go at 1am and 2am. The DEC tester leaves at 4:00pm
4. When They got permission to have a landfill it was a public landfill
4a. Yet Local contractors have been charged 1000.00 for a test and failed, they have brought the same dirt back and for 1000.00 more they have passed.
b. Local contractors pay DiPino to pick up/haul/and dump their dirt because DiPino gets such a cheap rate that it cost the “out of group” contractor more to use his own men and trucks.
c. Local Contractors are basically high priced away to leave room for the more profitable low priced “in group” deliveries.
d. There are FBI tapes stating that the “mob” is making $40,000 a month since the year 2000. They state that they make money on both ends picking up and hauling and dumping.
5. The main defense Pierre Gagne uses at public meetings is that the non-specific toxic runoff water is being abated by placing clean fill over the polluted garbage dump fill. (which has to be 2 feet deep to protect humans using the area)
5a.Now he requests in the new permit for the permission to hydraulically compound the soil to 2 feet or less…what’s this about? more money from dumping fees, or did he put to much dirt in already?
6. This same clean fill that he uses to defend the fact that there has been no testing of ground water or water monitoring wells on the south end facing the East River,
6a.He now asks to replace the cheaper clean fill with toxic asphalt (with processing on site) which would mean the asphalt would not only be a runoff poison, but the pulverized dust would end up in the surrounding community.
7. Pierre Gagne states that the 20 - 40 foot hills are in the design of the course.
He then stated they are stockpiles for the future designing of the course.
7a. Why would they now ask to hydraulically compound the dirt to 2ft or less?.
8. The methane is known to be in pockets throughout the landfill. Compounding the landfill will require more methane monitoring wells
8a. The new permit asks for less monitoring wells.
9. The old permit said there would be no use of Brush Ave. by the haulers to the Landfill.
9a.Thousands of trips have been made up Brush Ave. by DiPino and Laws Construction trucks, to a point where the first turn from DiPinos yard on Brush Ave. and Wenner Place, has sunken about 18 inches from grade. Who will repair this?
10. Gagne says that there will be no entrance on Balcom (the far east side).
10a Everyone seems to be ignoring the fact that the TBTA/DOT/Homeland Security/NYC Parks Dept. all have agreed to close the street under the Whitestone Bridge since Sept. 12th after the attack on NYC (at dusk). Also each day if the Homeland Security reaches code Orange workers at the TBTA physically walk out and place barriers in front of this entrance to the Park and future course.
11. Trucks have been using the entrance near the Throggs Neck Houses and have been seen there at 1am-2am.
Thank you…
Vice President
Ferry Point Community Association (later to become FP Community Advocates)
Dorothy Poggi
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Attn: Designers for the Future Ferry Point Golf Course on the East side of the Park.
Thomas Balsley Associates 3/13/2006 emailed
rewritten 9/21/07
Theme idea for
There is an interesting history of this particular area of the
This was one of two battles that were important turning point of the Revolutionary war, the other was near Pell Mansion.Because the British were delayed they were not able to catch Washington with his depleted army and destroy them.This is a synopsis but a Revolutionary theme would be nice twist to this Golf course, or just the waterfront nature walk promenade. The appropriate statue would be a man in Minuteman clothing.There could be a plaque commemorating the occurrence, and there may be some garden motif that lends towards a rustic look. Maybe the black Iron Fence that seperates the promenade from the golf course property can have a decorative section repeated every 4th panel that would have a silhouette of a relating image. maybe just a boat with large sails???, a cannon? I don't advise the rifle motif in the Bronx....
Contact us with any questions..we appreciate your time..
Dorothea (Dotti) Poggi
3/26/07
Dorothea Poggi
A Ferry Point Advocate
Golf Course Promises: GONE WITH THE WIND (BAGS)
The Parks Department and our Elected Officials should be ashamed of their handling of the Proposed Golf Course at Ferry Point Park East,
.
All that talk (wind) that was spread around Throggs Neck, Westchester,
What we as a community are left with is a not so beautiful plan to put a crater shaped Links style course which is a contradiction…traditionally Links Courses are basically flat…. With no accountability for the promised amenities the Community was promised.
First we were supposed to get a “state of the art golf course” a “Pebble Beach in the Bronx” that would be “a jewel in the crown of the Bronx”. In order for the developer to have the right to dump on the large 220 acres of
Original Permit:
7 years later:
So basically the removal of all the amenities to the Public is the compensation “WE” pay for the “Developer walking away Scott (or should I say
Mayoral funds means our tax dollars? Are paying for the future golf course and the 2 parks on each side
YET the original overused, over permitted
Lets hope that the next group to pay the largest lobbying fee ever…will actually want to build a course. Not just encourage our Elected officials and City agencies to have poor judgment again???? Only Time will tell….. like it did this last time.
What about the rumor that the Parks Department was only interested in having this large parcel of toxic land covered so that in 35 years they could use it for anything they might like????.
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Hello Neighbors, Lets stop this nonsense, every meeting about the future golf course has been full of contradictions by the developer.
It is time to build a Golf Course or face the fact that there may never be one.
Stop making excuses, Stop increasing the abuse to our noses, eyes, roads, air, ears, water ways, while others collect money at our expense. Let the Golf Course begin it’s construction as is or stop it until the FBI completes its investigation.
Pierre Gagne (the Developer) is quoted in the Village Voice Article as saying the Golf Course can be built with the existing fill. SO BUILD IT !
SAY NO TO THE NEW PERMIT REQUEST!!!
Changes from Original Plan included:
Minus for the public;
Plus for others ;
Fill out this attached letter, add your specific complaint the mail it to the DEC (Department Of Environmental Conservation).
With the Pelham Bay Landfill as an example, leachates (poisons) travel through under ground water and non specific run off from rain etc. into various surrounding areas of any landfill. When your cellar floods after 3 days of rain, when your back yard or the side of your street has a constant puddle, when a rush of water floods your neighborhood during a storm, all these waters bring with them any toxins from surrounding areas. There is a normal water table under each home. This water table varies according to the proximity to Rivers, streams, under ground streams etc. It is known even by the few (16) core samples taken at Ferry Point before the construction, that there are horrendous toxins located at this site.
The removal of these toxins were never in the plan. The Methane Gas Monitoring wells were only put in due to a lawsuit to the Ferry Point Partners.
The 2 feet of clean fill which was the only required mitigation to isolate the community and the Park visitors from the surface (Rain) run off of Toxins. This step has been done.
So build the course.
next_______________________________________________________________________________________
From: Albert Poggi
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters
47-40 21St Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
718-482-4997
mmmoore@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Ref: Accountability of Parks Dept./ Developer/ Contractor/ Partners.
I am a Home owner on Brush Avenue which is located in Ferry Point (Throggs Neck area). This area is located across the highway, West of the Landfill. We still have areas of our neighborhood that have fresh water springs that come from Westchester and percolate up to the low areas including some of our basements and backyards. I worry about the toxins from the Landfill mixing with these underground streams and bringing these toxins to ourselves and our pets through our vegetable gardens and damp areas. When I read about the Seniors that had a garden near Pelham Bay Landfill I worry not only for myself but for the many children who run through sprinklers in their yards and wade swim in the waters off the shores of Ferry Point puddles and
I am against the new permit mainly because there has been very little accountability given to this Company from the beginning of the concept of this site‘s development.
The information I have received from meetings about this project has changed so drastically and without public comment, that I am not in favor of continuing this project without some drastic changes to the accountability of this Developer/ Contractor/ Partners.
First Westway Construction, then Fairway, now Laws Construction.
There has been misleading information given at meetings and in the local paper that continue to allow this project to rake in dollars without concern for the community it should not be allowed any more.
*I was advised to send the articles of reference along with my letter
Thank you…
Albert Poggi
next_______________________________________________________________________________________
From: Geanine Profita
716 Brush Avenue Bronx, NY, 10465 718-892-7303
To: Michelle Moore
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters 9/1/2005
47-40 21St Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
Dear Michelle Moore,
I am upset with the Change of the Design of the Proposed Golf Course without Public or Community Board Discussion and therefore I am against a new permit.
When James Vacca was asked how he allowed the Design of the Golf course to be changed so dramatically from a sunny/shady beautiful 200 mature tree lined course with a pond and a public access snack bar, he said that he was not approached to discuss this change.
Madeline Provenzano seems to have OK’d these changes in one afternoon with a visit from Jack Nicklaus who was in for the day. ****** (enclosed article)
The original agreement called for frequent meetings with Board 10 to keep the public up to date on the progress or digress of the construction of this large parcel of Parks Dept. Land. This did not happen.
The original plan called for 200 mature trees throughout the course. This will not happen. The new design has just seedlings surrounding the course on three ends.
The original plan had a public access snack bar which my friends and I looked forward to since there are no working water fountains or store nearby to get water, sandwich or whatever. We visit the West Side Public Park frequently. This will not happen.
I do not feel that we should encourage this same developer to continue this work with the lack of respect he has shown for the surrounding community. Please do not issue a new permit to these Partners.
*****article describing change in one afternoon of plans for course.
Drawing was all completed when Jack Nicklaus attended that day.
PS. Why is there going to be a managers house on site??? Do all golf courses have that and who does he pay rent to? And how many people are allowed to stay there??
Sincerely
Geanine Profita
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From: Jerica Torres
To: Michelle Moore
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters 9/7/2005
47-40 21St Street
Long Island City , NY 11101
Dear Michelle,
I asked Dotti to type this letter for me because my handwriting is not very good and I want you to read my words.
I live on Brush Avenue. My girlfriend lives on Balcom Ave. in the projects. I visit her often. After school I used to walk home with her and sometimes stay over on weekends. There was a playground across the street from her where we used to practice throwing a ball and play tag. Now there is a big hole. Our mothers won’t let us go near it because of the bad gas. We also have to keep the windows shut. There is a lot of dust from the trucks. They also come in the morning at night (1am) and the lights sometimes wake us. My mom tells me that the news papers say one year, then two years, then one year, now two years. We don’t like to play golf. We are kids and don’t know how. My mom said we cant afford to play golf anyway. We don’t want a golf course we want our space to play back.
Do not let the golf course take any longer. If you do let them make them fix the play area first, please. Thank you.
PS….When we walk to Orchard Beach we see the Mountain with pipes. Mom says this is the same gas. Maybe the pipes would be smaller and we could still have room to play without bad gas in our lungs.
Jerica Torres age 13
712 Brush Avenue
Bronx, NY 10465
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From: Catherine Poggi
Historian of Ferry Point Park Civic Association
722 Brush Avenue Bronx, N.Y. 10465
718-829-4705 607-843-9398
Michelle Moore
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters 9/5/2005
47-40 21St Street
Long Island City , NY 11101
Hello Michelle Moore,
I am interested in the Accountability Now for future Sewer and non specific toxic and non toxic run off of water from 220 acre site.
We have been told at meetings with Pierre Gagne (the developer of the “Golf Course”) that the insecticides, herbicides, fertilizers etc. that run off every golf course, will not go into the East River because they will be draining into a Pond that was supposed to help store run off. This pond has been eliminated, and now it will empty into the Storm Sewer. When asked if there will be an improvement to the sewer system to handle all this extra water, he has said no because there is an existing large sewer line that runs under the site already. When asked if this would be the same sewer that overflows already in the Silver Beach area, he said he didn’t know. There is only one sewer line in that area and there are already problems with it.
To use the Pelham Bay Landfill as an example, leachites (poisons) travel through under ground water and non specific run off from rain etc. into various surrounding areas of any landfill. When your cellar floods after 3 days of rain, when your back yard or the side of your street has a constant puddle, when a rush of water floods your neighborhood during a storm, all these waters bring with them any toxins from surrounding areas. There is a normal water table under each home. This water table varies according to the proximity to Rivers, streams, under ground streams etc. It is known even by the few (16) core samples taken at Ferry Point before the construction, that there are horrendous toxins located at this site.
The removal of these toxins were never in the plan. The Methane Gas Monitoring wells were only put in due to a lawsuit to the Ferry Point Partners.
The 2 feet of clean fill which was the only required mitigation to isolate the community and the Park visitors from the surface (Rain) run off of Toxins. This step has been done.
So build the course.
Why shouldn’t Gagne know about the sewer system? After 5 years of filling up a site? When are these developers going to show some concern about the actual information needed to create a Golf Course and not just a Landfill? He says no one can dig down into this toxic area. It would be dangerous for his men. How will this sewer be placed after they fill it higher? Who is in place to check if this course (if ever constructed) will flood the surrounding area with sewage from the huge Banquet Hall that they are planning to construct??? I have trouble believing that during or after the filling of this location with raw garbage and construction debris, that there was a sewer pipe placed under it. But if there is a line under this location, how is it’s structure handling the large amounts of dirt being added. Now the new permit asked to hydraulically compound this dirt to 2 feet or less. Doesn’t this seem as if the sewer line will be in danger?
I want the sewer lines checked and the appropriate escrow or bond put aside by “The Ferry Point Partners” to handle this large projected increase of water and sewage to the community. Attached is article from Gotham Gazette 2002
Thank you for your help,
Catherine Poggi
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From: dpoggi@ferrypointpark.org
To: rciarfardinibxtimes@earthlink.net
Subject: Partner that Gagne Says he doesn't have.
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 16:13:04 -0500
Bobby "C" The Bx Times article from Oct. 12,2000 stated that Ferry Point Golf..owned by Paul Kanavos and Jonathan Stern, were one of the three Partners involved in Ferry Point Partners. The other besides Gagne Development, is Golden Bear International. This is a copy from a description from the website of the Anguila, A St. Regis Retreat. Flag Luxury Properties, LLC headquartered in New York City, owns and develops hotel, residential, and retail projects in North America. Founded in 1946 by Peter J. Kanavos Sr., the Flag Group of Companies has developed over $4 billion worth of assets, including some of the first Marriott and Holiday Inns Hotels; Intercontinental Hotel Athens , Greece; The Sheraton Hotel Brussels, Belgium; and the Trade Fair Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria. Paul Kanavos, Chairman and CEO, and Jonathan Stern, President, continue this legacy of excellence and dedication with a successful model for identifying, acquiring, branding, and developing world-class luxury real estate assets. Through innovative financing, strategic partnerships and distinctive architectural execution, Flag Luxury is on the cutting edge of today’s real estate industry. Current projects include The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach; The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club & Spa, Jupiter; The Hawaiian Marketplace, on the Las Vegas Strip; Ferry Point Park Golf and Conference Center, New York City, and Temenos Anguila, A St. Regis Retreat. When asked at the meeting held this year at Com Bd 10 office..Gagne denied knowing or being partners with anyone by that name. It makes you wonder how much has changed from the start? Does he still have partners? After all you can pay Nicklaus to design a course, you don't have to be partners with him. Who else besides his sub contractor who without his knowledge, seems to be giving away the store actually are acountable for the completion of this Course?
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From: Jimi Hughes
Dear Ms. Moore, 8/17/2005
Department of Environmental Conservation
This letter is in response to your letter dated August 5, 2005. I am proud to tell you that we have been opposed to this project since we gained knowledge in 2003 that Provenzano and Gagne had secret plans to take away the Public Park on the West side of Ferry Point. Their plans were to make it a 9 hole golf course which would expand the proposed 18 hole course to a 27 hole PGA certifiable course. Our research also showed that there had already been almost 7million dollars of taxpayers money secretly spent for environmental mitigation. We were lied to when we were told “this project would not cost the taxpayers a penny”.
The Developer says he was unaware of the chemicals in the ground and he now needs more dirt to cover these toxins. We are not fooled by this…it is on record that there were 16 soil borings taken in 1999 and each one showed just about every poison known to man.
Even though it is not required in their permit, why would the DEC not want to protect water quality of all surrounding communities? This would have been a simple procedure of installing water monitoring wells at the slopes in front of the site that faces the East River.
We watched in horror as 13 children died of cancer from the water that surrounded the Pelham Bay Landfill. Is the D.E.C. going to repeat this condition again. We feel that Baxter Creek which runs under this toxic landfill site and into the East River could be poisoning our water as the massive weight of dirt gets dumped atop the cancer chemicals hidden underground.
To eliminate all trees from the original plan we feel is not only ugly but unsafe, because of the thousands of trucks and Buses polluting the air crossing the Whitestone Bridge everyday.
We also don’t see why a hammer should be used onsite to break up anything that should happen before the fill arrives.
Now to include asphalt as fill we say no, no, no! that is not considered clean fill.
With the new revelations that the Federal Bureau of Investigations has made arrests due to wire taps of organized crime making millions of dollars at this site is an outrage to all the people of the Bronx.
And we are starting to understand why a golf course that should have been completed in 2 years is now maybe done by 2007. But even now who can believe this date? Mr. Gagne has missed every completion date since 2001.We are demanding that the Eastern side of the park be closed at once. No more dumping. No more permits. Investigations should also be added by NY State & NY City agencies to find out what other crimes have taken place here since dumping started in 1998.
While that process is going on we now are demanding a full environmental impact statement to see what is safe to build here if anything.
Our suggestion is what we have always stated for years, a beautiful playground and ball fields for the children of the Throggs Neck houses, a green market, a mariner with fishing docks, and a water taxi dock. All of this on the East side and the restoration of hundreds of trees and all this could connect to our wonderful but neglected of any improvements for over 50 years) riverfront Westside. We feel then, this would truly be the grand entrance to the Bronx that the people who didn’t run away in tuff times during the mid 70’s and 80’s and after Sept. 11 deserve.
Ferry Point Park could then become the central Park of the Bronx signed.
Mr. Jimi Hughes
Founder: Ferry Point Park West Coalition
700 Strong and Counting.
Please send written comments only directly to
J. Hughes
POB 954
Bronx, NY 10465
cc. Klien, Harris, Stern, Vacca, Webb, Ferrer, Carrion, Lutz
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From: Emily Sofia
Michelle Moore
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters 9/6/2005
47-40 21St Street
Long Island City , NY 11101
Dear Ms. Moore,
When I visit my Aunt, she keeps promising me we are going to walk along a beautiful water road that will be near the Big Bridge (Whitestone). I have been waiting. When she brings me for a walk, we have to go where there is no Bathroom and no food (Ferry Point Park West). I have been waiting to walk on the water road (Promenade) since I was 8 years old. I am now 13 and live in Florida. Maybe the next time we visit my Aunt there will be a water road and a snack bar and a golf course to look at?
I hope they put a bathroom near the park because I am not allowed to go in the weeds.
I am allergic to mold and many other things.
Thank You,
Emily Sofia
Dotti’s Niece
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Ferry Point Park West Coalition
716 Brush Avenue
Bronx , NY 10465
12/12/2005
Dear Commissioner of NYC Parks
Hector Aponte:
(Our best wishes for you and your families New Year.)
The Ferry Point Park West Coalition is working on a survey of our neighboring companies to determine the volunteer work or donations available to widen the scope of the 6.9 million dollars granted to our park by the Croton Water Filtration Money.
We will furnish you with the results as soon as possible.
We are pleased to have been awarded such a significant amount from this money.
The problem we now face is the proper use of the finances. Our detailed Master Plan has suggestions. Our main concern is to bring the greenway completely around the base of the Park from the Hutchinson River Service Road South to the Hutch. Service Road North with a few park benches for resting along the way. This pathway will enable the utilization of this park by the overdeveloped surrounding neighborhoods.
As most people realize, this park has been considered abandoned for the last 30 years.
The lighting is probably useless. There are still working water pipes throughout the park.
Yet, it is a naturally beautiful peninsula with great views, fishing, wetlands, wildlife (especially the Hawks, spotted snow owl, falcons, etc.)
This park is an asset to NYC in general and should be improved.
Sincerely, Dorothea Poggi
718-892-7303 Fax: 718-829-7165 dpoggi@ferrypointpark.org
| Region 2 SEQR and Other Notices | Region 2 SPDES Renewals |
| Bronx County | |
| Applicant: | NYC Dept Of Parks & Recreation 830 5Th Ave New York, NY 10021-7001 |
| Facility: | NYC Parks-Ferry Point Park Ferry Point Park Bronx, NY - |
| Application ID: | 2-6006-00014/00013 |
| Permit(s) Applied for: | Article 27 Title 7 Solid Waste Management |
| Project is Located: | Bronx, Bronx County |
| Project Description: On February 13, 2002 the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation ("DEC") received an application to modify a Solid Waste Management permit that had been issued on July 17, 2000 to New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) and Ferry Point Partners, LLC (FPP) under 6NYCRR Part 360-1.9(b). The permit authorized the placement of 1,000,000 cubic yards of fill for the purpose of bringing the site to grade and using it to construct a golf course, park and associated facilities at Ferry Point Park. The permit modification proposes to place on site an additional 550,000 cubic yards of fill to achieve design grades that have been revised since the issuance of the original permit. Receipt of the modification request was noticed in the February 20, 2002 edition of the Environmental Notice Bulletin. Plans and technical specifications, which detail the placement of fill on the project site, a Technical Environmental Assessment and a Methane Monitoring study report have been received as supporting material to the application. The site is located in Community District 10, Block 5583, Lot 100 & Block 5622, Lot 1. The project area is located in the eastern portion of Ferry Point Park, bounded by Bronx Whitestone Bridge to the west, Balcolm, Miles & Emerson Avenues to the east, Schley Avenue to the north, and the East River to the south. Project related information, including the permit modification request and supporting materials are available for viewing at a document repository established at the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Borough Office at Ranaqua, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Bronx. | |
| State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Determination: Project is an Unlisted Action and will not have a significant impact on the environment. A Negative Declaration is on file. A coordinated review was performed. | |
| SEQR Lead Agency: NYC Dept of Parks & Recreation | |
| State Historic Preservation Act (SHPA) Determination: Cultural resource lists and map have been checked. No registered, eligible or inventoried archaeological sites or historic structures were identified at the project location. No further review in accordance with SHPA is required. | |
| Coastal Management: This project is located in a Coastal Management area and is subject to the Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Act. | |
| Opportunity for Public Comment: Comments on this project must be submitted in writing to the Contact Person no later than May 24 2002. | |
| Contact: | Michelle Moore NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters 47-40 21St Street Long Island City, NY 11101 (718)482-4997 mailto:mmmoore@gw.dec.state.ny.us?bcc=enb2@gw.dec.state.ny.us |
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/tags/ferry%20point
LINKS TO IMPORTANT ARTICLES ABOUT THE GOLF COURSE
you have to copy and paste some sorry
New york Magazine Golf Course 2008
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/tags/ferry%20point
NYC Park Dept. Golf Course press release 2007
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_newsroom/press_releases/press_releases.php?id=19867
___________________________________________________________________________Written as the Ferry Point Civic Association
Office:716 Brush Avenue
Bronx, NY 10465
718-892-7303 9/3/05
www.ferrypointpark.org
We at the Ferry Point Community Association are writing to make a point to stop the consideration of a new Permit that has been applied for by Pierre Gagne and Laws Construction. To allow these companies to increase the volume of dirt on site, create a rock crushing, asphalt receiving, day and night operation at this site, and hydraulically compound the existing fill to 2 or less feet seems to be another misguided mistake at this point.
The constant contradictions in Pierre Gagne’s speeches alone should tell us this:
1. The original agreement that was voted on by Henry Stern, said that the developers would be using their own 22 million dollars as an investment to construct this Golf Course.
1a. Instead the Contractor is collecting 7.50 -12.75 per cubic yard for the material dumped in this landfill, with the excuse that this is the money needed to build the course.
2. The original agreement that Fernando Ferrer signed was with the stipulation that he wanted the greenway not to be cut off but to continue through the promenade to connect to Pelham Bay as was planned since Robert Moses created this Landfill/Beach.
2a. This design was later changed to cut off with a fence instead of a wall.
3. Ferry Point Partners (Golden Bear, Gagne Developers, Ferry Point Golfing) was supposed to invest 22 million to build this course.
3a. The Gagne Developing Co. is collecting money running a landfill business, on Parks property, without paying rent, for 5 years. There is one bulldozer and a rusty trailer collecting millions that is unaccountable. Trailers come and go at 1am and 2am. The DEC tester leaves at 4:00pm
4. When They got permission to have a landfill it was a public landfill
4a. Yet Local contractors have been charged 1000.00 for a test and failed, they have brought the same dirt back and for 1000.00 more they have passed.
b. Local contractors pay DiPino to pick up/haul/and dump their dirt because DiPino gets such a cheap rate that it cost the “out of group” contractor more to use his own men and trucks.
c. Local Contractors are basically high priced away to leave room for the more profitable low priced “in group” deliveries.
d. There are FBI tapes stating that the “mob” is making $40,000 a month since the year 2000. They state that they make money on both ends picking up and hauling and dumping.
5. The main defense Pierre Gagne uses at public meetings is that the non-specific toxic runoff water is being abated by placing clean fill over the polluted garbage dump fill. (which has to be 2 feet deep to protect humans using the area)
5a.Now he requests in the new permit for the permission to hydraulically compound the soil to 2 feet or less…what’s this about? more money from dumping fees, or did he put to much dirt in already?
6. This same clean fill that he uses to defend the fact that there has been no testing of ground water or water monitoring wells on the south end facing the East River,
6a.He now asks to replace the cheaper clean fill with toxic asphalt (with processing on site) which would mean the asphalt would not only be a runoff poison, but the pulverized dust would end up in the surrounding community.
7. Pierre Gagne states that the 20 - 40 foot hills are in the design of the course.
He then stated they are stockpiles for the future designing of the course.
7a. Why would they now ask to hydraulically compound the dirt to 2ft or less?.
8. The methane is known to be in pockets throughout the landfill. Compounding the landfill will require more methane monitoring wells
8a. The new permit asks for less monitoring wells.
9. The old permit said there would be no use of Brush Ave. by the haulers to the Landfill.
9a.Thousands of trips have been made up Brush Ave. by DiPino and Laws Construction trucks, to a point where the first turn from DiPinos yard on Brush Ave. and Wenner Place, has sunken about 18 inches from grade. Who will repair this?
10. Gagne says that there will be no entrance on Balcom (the far east side).
10a Everyone seems to be ignoring the fact that the TBTA/DOT/Homeland Security/NYC Parks Dept. all have agreed to close the street under the Whitestone Bridge since Sept. 12th after the attack on NYC (at dusk). Also each day if the Homeland Security reaches code Orange workers at the TBTA physically walk out and place barriers in front of this entrance to the Park and future course.
11. Trucks have been using the entrance near the Throggs Neck Houses and have been seen there at 1am-2am.
Thank you…
Vice President
Ferry Point Community Association
Dorothy Poggi
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Attn: Designers for the Future Ferry Point Golf Course on the East side of the Park.
Thomas Balsley Associates 3/13/2006 emailed
rewritten 9/21/07
Theme idea for
There is an interesting history of this particular area of the
This was one of two battles that were important turning point of the Revolutionary war, the other was near Pell Mansion.Because the British were delayed they were not able to catch Washington with his depleted army and destroy them.This is a synopsis but a Revolutionary theme would be nice twist to this Golf course, or just the waterfront nature walk promenade. The appropriate statue would be a man in Minuteman clothing.There could be a plaque commemorating the occurrence, and there may be some garden motif that lends towards a rustic look. Maybe the black Iron Fence that seperates the promenade from the golf course property can have a decorative section repeated every 4th panel that would have a silhouette of a relating image. maybe just a boat with large sails???, a cannon? I don't advise the rifle motif in the Bronx....
Contact us with any questions..we appreciate your time..
Dorothea (Dotti) Poggi
3/26/07
Dorothea Poggi
A Ferry Point Advocate
Golf Course Promises: GONE WITH THE WIND (BAGS)
The Parks Department and our Elected Officials should be ashamed of their handling of the Proposed Golf Course at Ferry Point Park East,
.
All that talk (wind) that was spread around Throggs Neck, Westchester,
What we as a community are left with is a not so beautiful plan to put a crater shaped Links style course which is a contradiction…traditionally Links Courses are basically flat…. With no accountability for the promised amenities the Community was promised.
First we were supposed to get a “state of the art golf course” a “Pebble Beach in the Bronx” that would be “a jewel in the crown of the Bronx”. In order for the developer to have the right to dump on the large 220 acres of
Original Permit:
7 years later:
So basically the removal of all the amenities to the Public is the compensation “WE” pay for the “Developer walking away Scott (or should I say
Mayoral funds means our tax dollars? Are paying for the future golf course and the 2 parks on each side
YET the original overused, over permitted
Lets hope that the next group to pay the largest lobbying fee ever…will actually want to build a course. Not just encourage our Elected officials and City agencies to have poor judgment again???? Only Time will tell….. like it did this last time.
What about the rumor that the Parks Department was only interested in having this large parcel of toxic land covered so that in 35 years they could use it for anything they might like????.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Hello Neighbors, Lets stop this nonsense, every meeting about the future golf course has been full of contradictions by the developer.
It is time to build a Golf Course or face the fact that there may never be one.
Stop making excuses, Stop increasing the abuse to our noses, eyes, roads, air, ears, water ways, while others collect money at our expense. Let the Golf Course begin it’s construction as is or stop it until the FBI completes its investigation.
Pierre Gagne (the Developer) is quoted in the Village Voice Article as saying the Golf Course can be built with the existing fill. SO BUILD IT !
SAY NO TO THE NEW PERMIT REQUEST!!!
Changes from Original Plan included:
Minus for the public;
Plus for others ;
Fill out this attached letter, add your specific complaint the mail it to the DEC (Department Of Environmental Conservation).
With the Pelham Bay Landfill as an example, leachates (poisons) travel through under ground water and non specific run off from rain etc. into various surrounding areas of any landfill. When your cellar floods after 3 days of rain, when your back yard or the side of your street has a constant puddle, when a rush of water floods your neighborhood during a storm, all these waters bring with them any toxins from surrounding areas. There is a normal water table under each home. This water table varies according to the proximity to Rivers, streams, under ground streams etc. It is known even by the few (16) core samples taken at Ferry Point before the construction, that there are horrendous toxins located at this site.
The removal of these toxins were never in the plan. The Methane Gas Monitoring wells were only put in due to a lawsuit to the Ferry Point Partners.
The 2 feet of clean fill which was the only required mitigation to isolate the community and the Park visitors from the surface (Rain) run off of Toxins. This step has been done.
So build the course.
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From: Albert Poggi
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters
47-40 21St Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
718-482-4997
mmmoore@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Ref: Accountability of Parks Dept./ Developer/ Contractor/ Partners.
I am a Home owner on Brush Avenue which is located in Ferry Point (Throggs Neck area). This area is located across the highway, West of the Landfill. We still have areas of our neighborhood that have fresh water springs that come from Westchester and percolate up to the low areas including some of our basements and backyards. I worry about the toxins from the Landfill mixing with these underground streams and bringing these toxins to ourselves and our pets through our vegetable gardens and damp areas. When I read about the Seniors that had a garden near Pelham Bay Landfill I worry not only for myself but for the many children who run through sprinklers in their yards and wade swim in the waters off the shores of Ferry Point puddles and
I am against the new permit mainly because there has been very little accountability given to this Company from the beginning of the concept of this site‘s development.
The information I have received from meetings about this project has changed so drastically and without public comment, that I am not in favor of continuing this project without some drastic changes to the accountability of this Developer/ Contractor/ Partners.
First Westway Construction, then Fairway, now Laws Construction.
There has been misleading information given at meetings and in the local paper that continue to allow this project to rake in dollars without concern for the community it should not be allowed any more.
*I was advised to send the articles of reference along with my letter
Thank you…
Albert Poggi
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From: Geanine Profita
716 Brush Avenue Bronx, NY, 10465 718-892-7303
To: Michelle Moore
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters 9/1/2005
47-40 21St Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
Dear Michelle Moore,
I am upset with the Change of the Design of the Proposed Golf Course without Public or Community Board Discussion and therefore I am against a new permit.
When James Vacca was asked how he allowed the Design of the Golf course to be changed so dramatically from a sunny/shady beautiful 200 mature tree lined course with a pond and a public access snack bar, he said that he was not approached to discuss this change.
Madeline Provenzano seems to have OK’d these changes in one afternoon with a visit from Jack Nicklaus who was in for the day. ****** (enclosed article)
The original agreement called for frequent meetings with Board 10 to keep the public up to date on the progress or digress of the construction of this large parcel of Parks Dept. Land. This did not happen.
The original plan called for 200 mature trees throughout the course. This will not happen. The new design has just seedlings surrounding the course on three ends.
The original plan had a public access snack bar which my friends and I looked forward to since there are no working water fountains or store nearby to get water, sandwich or whatever. We visit the West Side Public Park frequently. This will not happen.
I do not feel that we should encourage this same developer to continue this work with the lack of respect he has shown for the surrounding community. Please do not issue a new permit to these Partners.
*****article describing change in one afternoon of plans for course.
Drawing was all completed when Jack Nicklaus attended that day.
PS. Why is there going to be a managers house on site??? Do all golf courses have that and who does he pay rent to? And how many people are allowed to stay there??
Sincerely
Geanine Profita
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From: Jerica Torres
To: Michelle Moore
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters 9/7/2005
47-40 21St Street
Long Island City , NY 11101
Dear Michelle,
I asked Dotti to type this letter for me because my handwriting is not very good and I want you to read my words.
I live on Brush Avenue. My girlfriend lives on Balcom Ave. in the projects. I visit her often. After school I used to walk home with her and sometimes stay over on weekends. There was a playground across the street from her where we used to practice throwing a ball and play tag. Now there is a big hole. Our mothers won’t let us go near it because of the bad gas. We also have to keep the windows shut. There is a lot of dust from the trucks. They also come in the morning at night (1am) and the lights sometimes wake us. My mom tells me that the news papers say one year, then two years, then one year, now two years. We don’t like to play golf. We are kids and don’t know how. My mom said we cant afford to play golf anyway. We don’t want a golf course we want our space to play back.
Do not let the golf course take any longer. If you do let them make them fix the play area first, please. Thank you.
PS….When we walk to Orchard Beach we see the Mountain with pipes. Mom says this is the same gas. Maybe the pipes would be smaller and we could still have room to play without bad gas in our lungs.
Jerica Torres age 13
712 Brush Avenue
Bronx, NY 10465
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From: Catherine Poggi
Historian of Ferry Point Park Civic Association
722 Brush Avenue Bronx, N.Y. 10465
718-829-4705 607-843-9398
Michelle Moore
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters 9/5/2005
47-40 21St Street
Long Island City , NY 11101
Hello Michelle Moore,
I am interested in the Accountability Now for future Sewer and non specific toxic and non toxic run off of water from 220 acre site.
We have been told at meetings with Pierre Gagne (the developer of the “Golf Course”) that the insecticides, herbicides, fertilizers etc. that run off every golf course, will not go into the East River because they will be draining into a Pond that was supposed to help store run off. This pond has been eliminated, and now it will empty into the Storm Sewer. When asked if there will be an improvement to the sewer system to handle all this extra water, he has said no because there is an existing large sewer line that runs under the site already. When asked if this would be the same sewer that overflows already in the Silver Beach area, he said he didn’t know. There is only one sewer line in that area and there are already problems with it.
To use the Pelham Bay Landfill as an example, leachites (poisons) travel through under ground water and non specific run off from rain etc. into various surrounding areas of any landfill. When your cellar floods after 3 days of rain, when your back yard or the side of your street has a constant puddle, when a rush of water floods your neighborhood during a storm, all these waters bring with them any toxins from surrounding areas. There is a normal water table under each home. This water table varies according to the proximity to Rivers, streams, under ground streams etc. It is known even by the few (16) core samples taken at Ferry Point before the construction, that there are horrendous toxins located at this site.
The removal of these toxins were never in the plan. The Methane Gas Monitoring wells were only put in due to a lawsuit to the Ferry Point Partners.
The 2 feet of clean fill which was the only required mitigation to isolate the community and the Park visitors from the surface (Rain) run off of Toxins. This step has been done.
So build the course.
Why shouldn’t Gagne know about the sewer system? After 5 years of filling up a site? When are these developers going to show some concern about the actual information needed to create a Golf Course and not just a Landfill? He says no one can dig down into this toxic area. It would be dangerous for his men. How will this sewer be placed after they fill it higher? Who is in place to check if this course (if ever constructed) will flood the surrounding area with sewage from the huge Banquet Hall that they are planning to construct??? I have trouble believing that during or after the filling of this location with raw garbage and construction debris, that there was a sewer pipe placed under it. But if there is a line under this location, how is it’s structure handling the large amounts of dirt being added. Now the new permit asked to hydraulically compound this dirt to 2 feet or less. Doesn’t this seem as if the sewer line will be in danger?
I want the sewer lines checked and the appropriate escrow or bond put aside by “The Ferry Point Partners” to handle this large projected increase of water and sewage to the community. Attached is article from Gotham Gazette 2002
Thank you for your help,
Catherine Poggi
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From: dpoggi@ferrypointpark.org
To: rciarfardinibxtimes@earthlink.net
Subject: Partner that Gagne Says he doesn't have.
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 16:13:04 -0500
Bobby "C" The Bx Times article from Oct. 12,2000 stated that Ferry Point Golf..owned by Paul Kanavos and Jonathan Stern, were one of the three Partners involved in Ferry Point Partners. The other besides Gagne Development, is Golden Bear International. This is a copy from a description from the website of the Anguila, A St. Regis Retreat. Flag Luxury Properties, LLC headquartered in New York City, owns and develops hotel, residential, and retail projects in North America. Founded in 1946 by Peter J. Kanavos Sr., the Flag Group of Companies has developed over $4 billion worth of assets, including some of the first Marriott and Holiday Inns Hotels; Intercontinental Hotel Athens , Greece; The Sheraton Hotel Brussels, Belgium; and the Trade Fair Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria. Paul Kanavos, Chairman and CEO, and Jonathan Stern, President, continue this legacy of excellence and dedication with a successful model for identifying, acquiring, branding, and developing world-class luxury real estate assets. Through innovative financing, strategic partnerships and distinctive architectural execution, Flag Luxury is on the cutting edge of today’s real estate industry. Current projects include The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach; The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club & Spa, Jupiter; The Hawaiian Marketplace, on the Las Vegas Strip; Ferry Point Park Golf and Conference Center, New York City, and Temenos Anguila, A St. Regis Retreat. When asked at the meeting held this year at Com Bd 10 office..Gagne denied knowing or being partners with anyone by that name. It makes you wonder how much has changed from the start? Does he still have partners? After all you can pay Nicklaus to design a course, you don't have to be partners with him. Who else besides his sub contractor who without his knowledge, seems to be giving away the store actually are acountable for the completion of this Course?
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From: Jimi Hughes
Dear Ms. Moore, 8/17/2005
Department of Environmental Conservation
This letter is in response to your letter dated August 5, 2005. I am proud to tell you that we have been opposed to this project since we gained knowledge in 2003 that Provenzano and Gagne had secret plans to take away the Public Park on the West side of Ferry Point. Their plans were to make it a 9 hole golf course which would expand the proposed 18 hole course to a 27 hole PGA certifiable course. Our research also showed that there had already been almost 7million dollars of taxpayers money secretly spent for environmental mitigation. We were lied to when we were told “this project would not cost the taxpayers a penny”.
The Developer says he was unaware of the chemicals in the ground and he now needs more dirt to cover these toxins. We are not fooled by this…it is on record that there were 16 soil borings taken in 1999 and each one showed just about every poison known to man.
Even though it is not required in their permit, why would the DEC not want to protect water quality of all surrounding communities? This would have been a simple procedure of installing water monitoring wells at the slopes in front of the site that faces the East River.
We watched in horror as 13 children died of cancer from the water that surrounded the Pelham Bay Landfill. Is the D.E.C. going to repeat this condition again. We feel that Baxter Creek which runs under this toxic landfill site and into the East River could be poisoning our water as the massive weight of dirt gets dumped atop the cancer chemicals hidden underground.
To eliminate all trees from the original plan we feel is not only ugly but unsafe, because of the thousands of trucks and Buses polluting the air crossing the Whitestone Bridge everyday.
We also don’t see why a hammer should be used onsite to break up anything that should happen before the fill arrives.
Now to include asphalt as fill we say no, no, no! that is not considered clean fill.
With the new revelations that the Federal Bureau of Investigations has made arrests due to wire taps of organized crime making millions of dollars at this site is an outrage to all the people of the Bronx.
And we are starting to understand why a golf course that should have been completed in 2 years is now maybe done by 2007. But even now who can believe this date? Mr. Gagne has missed every completion date since 2001.We are demanding that the Eastern side of the park be closed at once. No more dumping. No more permits. Investigations should also be added by NY State & NY City agencies to find out what other crimes have taken place here since dumping started in 1998.
While that process is going on we now are demanding a full environmental impact statement to see what is safe to build here if anything.
Our suggestion is what we have always stated for years, a beautiful playground and ball fields for the children of the Throggs Neck houses, a green market, a mariner with fishing docks, and a water taxi dock. All of this on the East side and the restoration of hundreds of trees and all this could connect to our wonderful but neglected of any improvements for over 50 years) riverfront Westside. We feel then, this would truly be the grand entrance to the Bronx that the people who didn’t run away in tuff times during the mid 70’s and 80’s and after Sept. 11 deserve.
Ferry Point Park could then become the central Park of the Bronx signed.
Mr. Jimi Hughes
Founder: Ferry Point Park West Coalition
700 Strong and Counting.
Please send written comments only directly to
J. Hughes
POB 954
Bronx, NY 10465
cc. Klien, Harris, Stern, Vacca, Webb, Ferrer, Carrion, Lutz
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From: Emily Sofia
Michelle Moore
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters 9/6/2005
47-40 21St Street
Long Island City , NY 11101
Dear Ms. Moore,
When I visit my Aunt, she keeps promising me we are going to walk along a beautiful water road that will be near the Big Bridge (Whitestone). I have been waiting. When she brings me for a walk, we have to go where there is no Bathroom and no food (Ferry Point Park West). I have been waiting to walk on the water road (Promenade) since I was 8 years old. I am now 13 and live in Florida. Maybe the next time we visit my Aunt there will be a water road and a snack bar and a golf course to look at?
I hope they put a bathroom near the park because I am not allowed to go in the weeds.
I am allergic to mold and many other things.
Thank You,
Emily Sofia
Dotti’s Niece
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Ferry Point Park West Coalition
716 Brush Avenue
Bronx , NY 10465
12/12/2005
Dear Commissioner of NYC Parks
Hector Aponte:
(Our best wishes for you and your families New Year.)
The Ferry Point Park West Coalition is working on a survey of our neighboring companies to determine the volunteer work or donations available to widen the scope of the 6.9 million dollars granted to our park by the Croton Water Filtration Money.
We will furnish you with the results as soon as possible.
We are pleased to have been awarded such a significant amount from this money.
The problem we now face is the proper use of the finances. Our detailed Master Plan has suggestions. Our main concern is to bring the greenway completely around the base of the Park from the Hutchinson River Service Road South to the Hutch. Service Road North with a few park benches for resting along the way. This pathway will enable the utilization of this park by the overdeveloped surrounding neighborhoods.
As most people realize, this park has been considered abandoned for the last 30 years.
The lighting is probably useless. There are still working water pipes throughout the park.
Yet, it is a naturally beautiful peninsula with great views, fishing, wetlands, wildlife (especially the Hawks, spotted snow owl, falcons, etc.)
This park is an asset to NYC in general and should be improved.
Sincerely, Dorothea Poggi
718-892-7303 Fax: 718-829-7165 dpoggi@ferrypointpark.org
| Region 2 SEQR and Other Notices | Region 2 SPDES Renewals |
| Bronx County | |
| Applicant: | NYC Dept Of Parks & Recreation 830 5Th Ave New York, NY 10021-7001 |
| Facility: | NYC Parks-Ferry Point Park Ferry Point Park Bronx, NY - |
| Application ID: | 2-6006-00014/00013 |
| Permit(s) Applied for: | Article 27 Title 7 Solid Waste Management |
| Project is Located: | Bronx, Bronx County |
| Project Description: On February 13, 2002 the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation ("DEC") received an application to modify a Solid Waste Management permit that had been issued on July 17, 2000 to New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) and Ferry Point Partners, LLC (FPP) under 6NYCRR Part 360-1.9(b). The permit authorized the placement of 1,000,000 cubic yards of fill for the purpose of bringing the site to grade and using it to construct a golf course, park and associated facilities at Ferry Point Park. The permit modification proposes to place on site an additional 550,000 cubic yards of fill to achieve design grades that have been revised since the issuance of the original permit. Receipt of the modification request was noticed in the February 20, 2002 edition of the Environmental Notice Bulletin. Plans and technical specifications, which detail the placement of fill on the project site, a Technical Environmental Assessment and a Methane Monitoring study report have been received as supporting material to the application. The site is located in Community District 10, Block 5583, Lot 100 & Block 5622, Lot 1. The project area is located in the eastern portion of Ferry Point Park, bounded by Bronx Whitestone Bridge to the west, Balcolm, Miles & Emerson Avenues to the east, Schley Avenue to the north, and the East River to the south. Project related information, including the permit modification request and supporting materials are available for viewing at a document repository established at the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Borough Office at Ranaqua, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Bronx. | |
| State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Determination: Project is an Unlisted Action and will not have a significant impact on the environment. A Negative Declaration is on file. A coordinated review was performed. | |
| SEQR Lead Agency: NYC Dept of Parks & Recreation | |
| State Historic Preservation Act (SHPA) Determination: Cultural resource lists and map have been checked. No registered, eligible or inventoried archaeological sites or historic structures were identified at the project location. No further review in accordance with SHPA is required. | |
| Coastal Management: This project is located in a Coastal Management area and is subject to the Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Act. | |
| Opportunity for Public Comment: Comments on this project must be submitted in writing to the Contact Person no later than May 24 2002. | |
| Contact: | Michelle Moore NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters 47-40 21St Street Long Island City, NY 11101 (718)482-4997 mailto:mmmoore@gw.dec.state.ny.us?bcc=enb2@gw.dec.state.ny.us |
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Attn: Designers for the Future Ferry Point Golf Course on the East side of the Park.
Thomas Balsley Associates 3/13/2006 emailed
rewritten 9/21/07
Theme idea for
There is an interesting history of this particular area of the
This was one of two battles that were important turning point of the Revolutionary war, the other was near Pell Mansion.Because the British were delayed they were not able to catch Washington with his depleted army and destroy them.This is a synopsis but a Revolutionary theme would be nice twist to this Golf course, or just the waterfront nature walk promenade. The appropriate statue would be a man in Minuteman clothing.There could be a plaque commemorating the occurrence, and there may be some garden motif that lends towards a rustic look. Maybe the black Iron Fence that seperates the promenade from the golf course property can have a decorative section repeated every 4th panel that would have a silhouette of a relating image. maybe just a boat with large sails???, a cannon? I don't advise the rifle motif in the Bronx....
Contact us with any questions..we appreciate your time..
Dorothea (Dotti) Poggi
3/26/07
Dorothea Poggi
A Ferry Point Advocate
Golf Course Promises: GONE WITH THE WIND (BAGS)
The Parks Department and our Elected Officials should be ashamed of their handling of the Proposed Golf Course at Ferry Point Park East,
All that talk (wind) that was spread around Throggs Neck, Westchester,
What we as a community are left with is a not so beautiful plan to put a crater shaped Links style course which is a contradiction…traditionally Links Courses are basically flat…. With no accountability for the promised amenities the Community was promised.
First we were supposed to get a “state of the art golf course” a “Pebble Beach in the Bronx” that would be “a jewel in the crown of the Bronx”. In order for the developer to have the right to dump on the large 220 acres of
Original Permit:
7 years later:
So basically the removal of all the amenities to the Public is the compensation “WE” pay for the “Developer walking away Scott (or should I say
Mayoral funds means our tax dollars? Are paying for the future golf course and the 2 parks on each side
YET the original overused, over permitted
Lets hope that the next group to pay the largest lobbying fee ever…will actually want to build a course. Not just encourage our Elected officials and City agencies to have poor judgment again???? Only Time will tell….. like it did this last time.
What about the rumor that the Parks Department was only interested in having this large parcel of toxic land covered so that in 35 years they could use it for anything they might like????.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Hello Neighbors, Lets stop this nonsense, every meeting about the future golf course has been full of contradictions by the developer.
It is time to build a Golf Course or face the fact that there may never be one.
Stop making excuses, Stop increasing the abuse to our noses, eyes, roads, air, ears, water ways, while others collect money at our expense. Let the Golf Course begin it’s construction as is or stop it until the FBI completes its investigation.
Pierre Gagne (the Developer) is quoted in the Village Voice Article as saying the Golf Course can be built with the existing fill. SO BUILD IT !
SAY NO TO THE NEW PERMIT REQUEST!!!
Changes from Original Plan included:
Minus for the public;
Plus for others ;
Fill out this attached letter, add your specific complaint the mail it to the DEC (Department Of Environmental Conservation).
With the Pelham Bay Landfill as an example, leachates (poisons) travel through under ground water and non specific run off from rain etc. into various surrounding areas of any landfill. When your cellar floods after 3 days of rain, when your back yard or the side of your street has a constant puddle, when a rush of water floods your neighborhood during a storm, all these waters bring with them any toxins from surrounding areas. There is a normal water table under each home. This water table varies according to the proximity to Rivers, streams, under ground streams etc. It is known even by the few (16) core samples taken at Ferry Point before the construction, that there are horrendous toxins located at this site.
The removal of these toxins were never in the plan. The Methane Gas Monitoring wells were only put in due to a lawsuit to the Ferry Point Partners.
The 2 feet of clean fill which was the only required mitigation to isolate the community and the Park visitors from the surface (Rain) run off of Toxins. This step has been done.
So build the course.
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From: Albert Poggi
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters
47-40 21St Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
718-482-4997
mmmoore@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Ref: Accountability of Parks Dept./ Developer/ Contractor/ Partners.
I am a Home owner on Brush Avenue which is located in Ferry Point (Throggs Neck area). This area is located across the highway, West of the Landfill. We still have areas of our neighborhood that have fresh water springs that come from Westchester and percolate up to the low areas including some of our basements and backyards. I worry about the toxins from the Landfill mixing with these underground streams and bringing these toxins to ourselves and our pets through our vegetable gardens and damp areas. When I read about the Seniors that had a garden near Pelham Bay Landfill I worry not only for myself but for the many children who run through sprinklers in their yards and wade swim in the waters off the shores of Ferry Point puddles and
I am against the new permit mainly because there has been very little accountability given to this Company from the beginning of the concept of this site‘s development.
The information I have received from meetings about this project has changed so drastically and without public comment, that I am not in favor of continuing this project without some drastic changes to the accountability of this Developer/ Contractor/ Partners.
First Westway Construction, then Fairway, now Laws Construction.
There has been misleading information given at meetings and in the local paper that continue to allow this project to rake in dollars without concern for the community it should not be allowed any more.
*I was advised to send the articles of reference along with my letter
Thank you…
Albert Poggi
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From: Geanine Profita
716 Brush Avenue Bronx, NY, 10465 718-892-7303
To: Michelle Moore
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters 9/1/2005
47-40 21St Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
Dear Michelle Moore,
I am upset with the Change of the Design of the Proposed Golf Course without Public or Community Board Discussion and therefore I am against a new permit.
When James Vacca was asked how he allowed the Design of the Golf course to be changed so dramatically from a sunny/shady beautiful 200 mature tree lined course with a pond and a public access snack bar, he said that he was not approached to discuss this change.
Madeline Provenzano seems to have OK’d these changes in one afternoon with a visit from Jack Nicklaus who was in for the day. ****** (enclosed article)
The original agreement called for frequent meetings with Board 10 to keep the public up to date on the progress or digress of the construction of this large parcel of Parks Dept. Land. This did not happen.
The original plan called for 200 mature trees throughout the course. This will not happen. The new design has just seedlings surrounding the course on three ends.
The original plan had a public access snack bar which my friends and I looked forward to since there are no working water fountains or store nearby to get water, sandwich or whatever. We visit the West Side Public Park frequently. This will not happen.
I do not feel that we should encourage this same developer to continue this work with the lack of respect he has shown for the surrounding community. Please do not issue a new permit to these Partners.
*****article describing change in one afternoon of plans for course.
Drawing was all completed when Jack Nicklaus attended that day.
PS. Why is there going to be a managers house on site??? Do all golf courses have that and who does he pay rent to? And how many people are allowed to stay there??
Sincerely
Geanine Profita
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From: Jerica Torres
To: Michelle Moore
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters 9/7/2005
47-40 21St Street
Long Island City , NY 11101
Dear Michelle,
I asked Dotti to type this letter for me because my handwriting is not very good and I want you to read my words.
I live on Brush Avenue. My girlfriend lives on Balcom Ave. in the projects. I visit her often. After school I used to walk home with her and sometimes stay over on weekends. There was a playground across the street from her where we used to practice throwing a ball and play tag. Now there is a big hole. Our mothers won’t let us go near it because of the bad gas. We also have to keep the windows shut. There is a lot of dust from the trucks. They also come in the morning at night (1am) and the lights sometimes wake us. My mom tells me that the news papers say one year, then two years, then one year, now two years. We don’t like to play golf. We are kids and don’t know how. My mom said we cant afford to play golf anyway. We don’t want a golf course we want our space to play back.
Do not let the golf course take any longer. If you do let them make them fix the play area first, please. Thank you.
PS….When we walk to Orchard Beach we see the Mountain with pipes. Mom says this is the same gas. Maybe the pipes would be smaller and we could still have room to play without bad gas in our lungs.
Jerica Torres age 13
712 Brush Avenue
Bronx, NY 10465
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From: Catherine Poggi
Historian of Ferry Point Park Civic Association
722 Brush Avenue Bronx, N.Y. 10465
718-829-4705 607-843-9398
Michelle Moore
NYSDEC Region 2 Headquarters 9/5/2005
47-40 21St Street
Long Island City , NY 11101
Hello Michelle Moore,
I am interested in the Accountability Now for future Sewer and non specific toxic and non toxic run off of water from 220 acre site.
We have been told at meetings with Pierre Gagne (the developer of the “Golf Course”) that the insecticides, herbicides, fertilizers etc. that run off every golf course, will not go into the East River because they will be draining into a Pond that was supposed to help store run off. This pond has been eliminated, and now it will empty into the Storm Sewer. When asked if there will be an improvement to the sewer system to handle all this extra water, he has said no because there is an existing large sewer line that runs under the site already. When asked if this would be the same sewer that overflows already in the Silver Beach area, he said he didn’t know. There is only one sewer line in that area and there are already problems with it.
To use the Pelham Bay Landfill as an example, leachites (poisons) travel through under ground water and non specific run off from rain etc. into various surrounding areas of any landfill. When your cellar floods after 3 days of rain, when your back yard or the side of your street has a constant puddle, when a rush of water floods your neighborhood during a storm, all these waters bring with them any toxins from surrounding areas. There is a normal water table under each home. This water table varies according to th