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October 4, 2010
The abdication of government: BP Markowitz and the ESDC's Davidson will flack Ratner's project in China, but won't comment on job claims
Atlantic Yards Report
For all the evidence that Atlantic Yards is more a private-public development than a public-private one, the latest twist--the effort to trade green cards for 498 Chinese investors (and their families) in exchange for $500,000 each--amps up the evidence.
The willingness of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) Executive Director to pitch the project in China next week without saying (or knowing?) anything about the promised jobs suggests that project proponents have managed to rent government for private interests.
It's ridiculous to think that, without $249 million in low-cost financing from Chinese investors to build a new railyard, 7606 jobs would be saved.
Similarly, it's ridiculous to think that Forest City Ratner can't fulfill its obligation to build a new railyard without this money. It's simply a business proposition-a deceptive one that relies on the arena and team to raise money for another part of the project--to save money on financing.
No transparency
Markowitz's spokespeople simply wouldn't answer questions about how many jobs would be associated with this investment and why this specific investment is needed to create jobs.
ESDC spokeswoman Elizabeth Mitchell said that I should pose my questions about job creation to the NYCRC.
The NYCRC has not responded to my queries. Nor is it obligated to do so. So any public oversight of this important immigration issue gets very, very difficult.
You can do your part to fight this outrageous abuse by contacting the government to express your concerns.
Raising questions with the USCIS
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (part of the Department of Homeland Security, or DHS) spokeswoman Luz Irazabal told me that regional centers face annual oversight but questions can be raised by the public:
All petitions filed by a foreign entrepreneur connected to a regional center are reviewed individually as it pertains to the regional center.
To report your concern, feel free to send an email to USCIS.ImmigrantInvestorProgram@dhs.govUSCIS.ImmigrantInvestorProgram@dhs.gov. You can also contact the DHS Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-323-8603 (phone), 202-254-2392 (fax) or DHSOIGhotline@dhs.govDHSOIGhotline@dhs.gov (email).
Posted by eric at October 4, 2010 11:52 AM