7/28/2019 USTA Expansion Rally PA

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Xavier San MiguelFriday, April 19, 2013 (718)357-3094/(917)952-0157

ADVISORY: AVELLA, NYC PARK ADVOCATES, ANDQUEENS CIVIC CONGRESS TO RALLY AGAINST

PROPOSED USTA EXPANSION

This Sunday, April 21 at 1:00 PM, Senator Tony Avella will be joined by NYC ParkAdvocates and the Queens Civic Congress at a rally to protest the proposed expansion ofthe USTA Tennis Center in Flushing Meadow Corona Park. The New York City PlanningCommission will hold a public hearing for this project this coming Wednesday, April24th.

This proposed expansion would require 0.68 acres of parkland to be permanentlyturned over to USTA in addition to the 42 acres of parkland that they already possess.However, in reality, this project will alienate parkland without replacing it, robbing thecommunity of public green space. In conjunction with the proposed construction of aMajor League Soccer stadium and a large mall as part of the Willets Point development,these three projects constitute perhaps the biggest land grab for parkland not only inQueens but also in the entire City.

The three projectswill result in elimination of crucial parkland from our boroughs mostprominent park, which provides open space and recreational benefits to thousands ofborough residents, immigrant families and low and middle income families.

Avella will call on the City Planning Commission to reject this proposal and willcontinue to fight against all three projects and any further commercial development inFlushing Meadow Corona Park.

WHO: Senator Avella, NYC Park Advocates, Queens Civic Congress

WHERE: Main Entrance, USTA Tennis Center, Flushing Meadow Corona Park

WHEN: SUNDAY, April 21, 2013 at 1:00 PM