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Groups say Councilman Dennis Gallagher is Working Hard (for Developer) 11/8/2007 10:21:00 PM Source: Forum West
 Some Maspeth activists involved in the fight to save the St. Saviour’s Church property are accusing Councilman Dennis Gallagher of lobbying on behalf of a developer seeking to build a housing development. In response, the councilman says he is not actively working to broker any deals leading to a zoning change the developer needs and that his goal is to save the church building. “I think the civic association has tried to mischaracterize my involvement in the issue,” he said. Community groups including the Juniper Park Civic Association (JPCA) and the Maspeth-Middle Village Task Force have been fighting to save the church and surrounding land for use as a park since learning last year Maspeth Development, LLC bought the land. Legal action by JPCA saved the church after a demolition permit was issued nine months ago, according to Association President Robert Holden. While the lawsuit was eventually dismissed because the JPCA lacked standing in the issue, the action saved the building even while the land was cleared of 185 trees. While the activist groups are want to preserve the entire property, which has historical significance, Holden claims Gallagher has been working on behalf of the developer to help push through a zoning change Maspeth Development needs to move ahead with a plan for at least 70 residential units. The property predates the American Revolution, and the Richard Upjohn-designed building has architectural significance, according to Holden. Artifacts have been found on the property, so preserving the land is as important as saving the building, he said. “The developer wants to change the zoning from manufacturing so he can put up residential units, and the community doesn’t want that,” said Holden. “We want to save the entire parcel… This would give (residents) a park and save a piece of our history and a great piece of architecture.” Instead, activists including Holden and Tony Nunziato, chairman of the Maspeth-Middle Village Task Force, suspect that Gallagher has been working behind the scenes on a compromise plan featuring residential units build around the church building. “We feel Gallagher his acting on behalf of the developer,” said Holden, who says the councilman has accepted cash contributions from the Parkside Group, a lobbying firm acting on behalf of Maspeth Development, LLC. “He is brokering everything, and since he’s not on any committees, he has time to do this.” On Wednesday, Gallagher said he previously worked to have the site designated as landmark, including writing three letters to the city Landmarks Preservation Commission. “Nothing would have made me happier than seeing the church and site preserved,” he said. “Having said that, Landmarks said ‘no’ and the (development) project went on.” When the landmarking effort failed, Gallagher says $1 million was included in the city budget to fund a purchase, but the Parks Department decided it isn’t interested in the land. According to Holden, Gallagher has taken steps to achieve his solution including asking Community Board 5 members where they stand on the issue before reappointing them, arranging for the city Parks Department to privately tour the site with the developer, allowing the trees to be removed to make the land less attractive to the Parks Department, lobbying Borough President Helen Marshall to support his plan and meeting with John Young, the Director of Queens City Planning to begin the process of changing the zoning. Gallagher in response says he isn’t actively brokering any deals as some local officials claim. “What I’m pushing for is for the developer to save the church,” he said. “If they request a zoning change, it comes before the community board, borough president and is open to the public.” With the Parks Department having decided against pursuing the property, the councilman doesn’t think preserving the entire property is a feasible outcome. “I don’t see it as realistic once Parks indicated they don’t have interest in this site, and I don’t know what other alternatives there are.” However, that thinking isn’t sitting well with those seeking to save both the land and church. “This site is in bad shape right now, but is certainly not beyond saving,” said Christina Wilkinson, who is leading JPCA’s efforts to preserve the land. “Converting the property into a park would have filled in a gap that currently exists. I’m not surprised that Parks passed on the property since the tour was lead by the same developer who has already desecrated the land.” According to Nunziato, Gallagher has not been representing the needs of the community through his alleged involvement with the developer. “It is a shame that the councilman is trying to preserve his future by working with the lobbyist for the developer,” he said. “He never reached out to see what the public wants, instead having private meetings under false pretenses. That is not what his job is meant to be, and he should be removed from office for failing to do what he is paid for, which is to represent the people.” At this point, Gallagher says the goal is to save the church and prevent the entire tract from being developed. “Now we’re at the next round - how do we save the church and what sort of zoning change should be negotiated,” he said. “It is quite possible the (property) owner decides he would like to go with manufacturing or a storage facility and take down the church.” And while he is “friendly” with members of Parkside Group, “that doesn’t mean they are going to get their way on every issue,” he said. “When I disagree with them, I will fight them.” Aside for the need for additional open space in the area – Holden points out the mayor’s 2030 plan calls for every resident to have a park within a ten minute walk – recent flooding in the area shows the area can’t handle intense development, he said. “This will overburden the sewer system and contribute the flooding,” he said. “There are a whole bunch of reasons why this shouldn’t be there,” including that the land is intended to serve as a buffer between the industrial and residential areas, he said. Additional reporting by Steve Garza |
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