Holy cow, just saw this on QNS.com
More than 100 Queens restaurants have signed on to the CommUNITY Passport Program, an initiative meant to support local restaurants by encouraging people to spend rewards points at these businesses that they will receive from staying at the Hard Rock Hotel set to come to Willets Point. The development of the hotel is expected to be part of the proposed Metropolitan Park plan, which would transform 50 acres of asphalt around Citi Field into a sports and entertainment complex.
So we’re going to give up PARKLAND so that people can hit the Hard Rock and earn POINTS, and then you’re going to use those points elsewhere in Queens. Right.
Steve Cohen is quoted:
“The community made it clear that any development must work with, support and help grow local businesses and restaurants. We listened. The Community Passport initiative will encourage hotel and entertainment guests to explore Queens – driving business to local restaurants and businesses,” Cohen said. “Our message is simple: come for a show or some fun at Metropolitan Park, and fall in love with all of Queens.”
And let’s be sure to name the restaurants that appear to be in support of giving parkland away. They include:
Among the Queens businesses that have already signed on for this program are “Moon Cheese” in East Elmhurst, “Pio Pio,” “Cositas Ricas,” “El Budare Cafe” and “Emoji Burger” in Jackson Heights and “Mojitos” in Corona.
I decided to look more closely.
Lets say I visit the Hard Rock and take part in some sort of activity at the Hard Rock and earn points.
Then, I could take my “points” and go to Moon Cheese which appears to be at 88-11 31st Ave. Hopefully there is a parking spot out front, and what, I turn in 500 points for 2 slices?
How many people are going to actually do that?
Don’t give away parkland. There is plenty of land, say, across the street that Mr. Cohen can purchase and develop. He could attempt to build affordable housing or a soccer stadium like the other developers. Maybe even a casino. Whatever he wants. The other side of the street is not parkland, and the side he wants to build on is.
Another quote:
Everyone loves getting rewards for having a good time. With Metropolitan Park, guests are going to come out to see a music concert and then be rewarded to explore Queens,” Emoji Burger owner Jarvis Fernandez said.
Yeah Mr. Fernandez? Emoji Burger is at 80-07 37th Ave. I grew up in Jackson Heights so I know the neighborhood well.
What’s the plan here? I go see a concert at the Hard Rock, that ends when – is 10:30 fair? I drive to 37th avenue, where there is unlikely to be parking, or perhaps I take the 7 train. and walk from 82nd and Roosevelt. Now it’s 10:50.
Too bad the Emoji Burger closed at 10. I would have liked to use my points after the concert as I explored Queens.
Maybe the concert hall is planning on doing 6pm concerts, or perhaps Emoji Burger plans on staying open until 1 to accommodate the post-concert points using crowd that wants burgers after a show. What do I know?
I can’t believe these businesses are going for this nonsense, and I wonder if someone digs more we will find out more reasons why they are so excited.
It’s a park. The courts have said it is a park.
