Builders and Realtors to Work Together on SI Housing Needs
Near the conclusion of the Staten Island Economic Development Conference at the Hilton Garden Inn on April 25th officials of the Building Industry Association of New York City (BIANYC) and the Staten Island Board of Realtors pledged to create a joint working group to study the future of housing on Staten Island.
For the second year an open meeting was held, at the annual SIEDC business conference, between builders and Realtors. Mike Fazio, BIANYC President and Allen Cappelli, Esq., BIANYC Lobbyist, Mike Diaz, SIBOR President, Frank Reali, SIBOR President-elect and Realtor Jon Salmon were panelists in the meeting attended by over 75 builders and Realtors.
Karen O’Shea, of the Staten Island Advance later reported “…’In 20 years' time, what will a cop or a fireman have to earn to live here?’ asked Mike Fazio, president of the Staten Island-based Building Industry Association of New York City. ‘New York City policies have led us to produce all detached housing, and by doing so we are pushing out the middle class ... downzoning is not planning.’
Fazio said the city has a chance to properly plan for future housing in deciding the fate of hundreds of acres of underused manufacturing land along the West Shore. Fazio said he would start the combined Realtor and builder task force to devise planning ideas that could then be pitched to the mayor's Staten Island Growth Management Task Force.
Fran Reali, co-owner of Century 21 Safari Realty and a member of the Staten Island Board of Realtors, (had) suggested the task force.”
Frank Reali worried that a task force could only be successful if competitors did not use a builder’s or Realtor’s opinion on issues against them in the marketplace. He urged cooperation over competition for the long-term good of the community and the real estate industry.
Allen Cappelli, who also works with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, urged the group to reach out to the chamber which has been active in addressing the transportation problems on Staten Island, an issue that factors heavily in the island’s ability to deal with future housing needs.
Jon Salmon worried about the public’s ability to deal with the compromises that will be needed to address the future housing needs. He noted that Staten Islander’s have not shown, in the past, a willingness to welcome major planned development. He referenced the failure to complete the Richmond Parkway and the South Richmond Plan.
Mike Diaz, SIBOR President, pledged to work with the builders to make the task force successful.
The Conference venue was also used to announce major new initiatives related to Staten Island Tourism, Public Relations, and North Shore Waterfront redevelopment. Borough president James Molinaro made the point that St George was undergoing a renaissance that will change the face of Staten Island.
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