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Fresh Direct's Sweet Gov't Subsidies Sicken Some In The Bronx
By
Garth Johnston
Published Feb 13, 2012
Modified Feb 13, 2012
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By
Garth Johnston
Published Feb 13, 2012
Modified Feb 13, 2012
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Not so fast, Fresh Direct! Last week the Governor, the Mayor and the online grocery store were happily talking up their $130 million deal to move the company's homebase from Long Island City to the Bronx (as opposed to New Jersey). But a funny thing happened on the way to the getting approval—the neighbors started chiming in. And they aren't happy!
Two days after the news was announced (despite not being finalized), critics came out against it at a NYC Industrial Development Agency hearing on it. Local groups started writing up lists of why the deal was a bad one with the addresses of people to contact. And now City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito has chimed in with a letter to the Agency asking that it delay voting on its $74 million part of Fresh Direct's prize so as to "allow for more community input."
Those opposed to Fresh Direct have quite a few reasons to oppose the deal, but the biggies are as follow:
- Labor: Fresh Direct has not been good about letting its workers unionize (put another way, "Fresh Direct has made concerted efforts to block the union from organizing in their workplace, including holding anti-union meetings, passing out misinformation on what union representation means, and making threats.") despite the fact that it will often ask workers to put in "upwards of 16 hours in a facility refrigerated to 38 degrees." Also? No jobs are actually being promised for South Bronx residents who will near the company's many, many trucks (and their fumes).
- The South Bronx: Speaking of the South Bronx, for all of the company's presumed pleasure in moving to the area it is amazing they even know where it is. The company currently does not serve its residents and doesn't seem to plan to. Further, even though many fruit vendors on the street can now accept food stamps (which are mostly digital at this point), Fresh Direct so far won't.
- The Actual Plot Of Land: Beyond Fresh Direct's issues with the Bronx, many locals take issue with the plot of land (the Harlem River Yards) that the company wants to move to. Specifically, as it is a public parcel that has been leased to a private company that is "essential to a Harlem River Greenway as a necessary Bronx West - East connection from High Bridge and the Harlem River Greenway to the South Bronx Greenway and Randall’s Island." Many, including Councilwoman Mark-Viverito, have expressed concern that this new project will derail plans for that connection. "Federal funds have been committed to this project, and we do not want to delay putting those funds to use so that our communities can more easily reach Randall’s Island," she wrote.
So what happens next? The NYC Industrial Development Agency is scheduled to make a final vote on its part tomorrow. So not much, most likely. But hey Manhattan! Your groceries are waiting with your doorman.
Tagged
bronx
fresh direct
melissa mark-viverito
randall's island
the bronx
Garth Johnston
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