There were no surprises at the June 28, 2012 meeting of the Industrial Development Agency (IDA). With no discussion before the approval of the Consolidated Bond Application for 55 Maple Avenue this application was passed with no regard for how it will create permanent jobs in the City which is a requirement of IDA funding. Previously Chuck Strome had stated that only temporary construction jobs would be created. However, Strome did emphatically emphasize that the City of New Rochelle had no financial responsibility for the bonds which if approved will be used to finance the project. No IDA member was concerned about that no permanent jobs in New Rochelle were created by this project which is a state IDA requirement.
A presentation was made by Jason Luther on the Sound Shore Medical Center/ Landmark Health proposal to build a five story medical center which would be attached to the hospital and a four and a half story parking garage on the two present parking areas. The number of parking spaces presented indicated only a very small number of additional parking spaces. Luther’s services for construction will utilize both IDA and LDC (Local Development Corporation) benefits based on using IDA “for profit” benefits for the Medical Center, and LDC “not for profit” benefits for the parking garage. While financing is a major hurdle, other questions arouse during the presentation. Valerie Orellana, who is also a Board of Education member, wanted clarification that the first and second floor would be connected to the hospital and the parking garage would not be. She questioned whether the staffing would be hired locally and was answered in the affirmative to both questions. Leroy Mitchell was persistent in his questions about whether this addition, which included many doctors’ offices, would assist the hospital “in rendering better care” because many reports about the hospital are not positive. Chuck Strome added the hospital needs to maintain quality doctors. Allen Fox, legal counsel to the IDA, suggested the alternative to LDC financing would be to go to the Dormitory Authority. Strome added that they were still waiting for a previous request made some time back to that agency. The National Development Council retained by the City of New Rochelle to analyze projects, according to Strome, will complete a cost benefit analysis for the City.
While this was an IDA meeting, the members of the IDA were listening to LDC business. For example on the Sound Shore Medical Center project, will any environmental review take place? It already appears that the parking provided will be inadequate. It should be noted that the City Council appointed the members of the IDA board to the LDC board because they claimed they were experienced in this area. The City Council did not ask for any citizen input on these appointments. However, it should be noted when the State Comptroller came down to audit this IDA they were cited in many areas for not complying with IDA regulations especially in job creation. George Imburgia told Talk of the Sound that he felt this was another example of how the City’s promise to be more open and transparent is not being fulfilled.
No one in the audience was allowed to speak. The next meeting of the IDA will be held on July 26, 2012.
