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November 11, 2005

Lobbyists for NYC box stores

These comments were submitted by an NLG reader in response to the Observer profile on Richard Lipsky, the anti-box-store crusader who has crossed to the dark side to support Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards plan, even though Ratner is the king of bringing box stores to Brooklyn.

On Related's PR team:

The Marino Organization is working for Related Co., developer of the Bronx Terminal Market. Marino is also spearheading the campaign by Wal-Mart to gain access into NYC.

On Related's lead attorney:

Jesse Masyr is also working for Related. He is cited on google as land-use attorney for Related, IKEA, etc. Apparently he is an ex-Manhattan deputy borough president, and a partner in the Wachtel and Masyr law firm whose clients have included:
* Blumenfeld Development Group
* Forest City Ratner Corporation
* Home Depot

It seems like developers all go to the same few people to get anything done in this town.

For a fascinating article on lobbying in NYC see: http://www.gothamgazette.com/iotw/lobbying/

This is where I first saw the term "astro-turf" lobbying.

Posted by lumi at November 11, 2005 7:05 PM