The impression of Staten Island as the "forgotten borough," is continuing to fade. With Mayor Bloomberg remarking in his State of the City Address about the efforts of a transformed St. George, Staten Island is taking a large step forward.
But let's take it a step further. The water front on the North Shore offer a postcard view of NYC and the Verrazano. St. George, Stapleton, New Brighton these areas need the mixed use - high rise buildings that helped turn Williamsburg and Greenpoint from industrial wastlelands to some of the most vibrant areas of the city. With out that development, Staten Island risks losing a tremendous opportunity to introduce the Island to a new market of young professionals and further stimulate the local economy.
Here's one thing we need from the city. The 421A tax abatement extended past July of this year for new condo development in this area. These abatements offer tremendous incentives for new buyers. The tax revenues that will be gained through local spending will far outweigh any reduction the city is taking through the abatement.
But we can not ask without doing ourself. It's in our best interest, as Islanders, for the North Shore to succeed. As new business starts to move in, we need to support it. There is a tendency on the island to think development is bad. The problem is not development, it's poorly planned development. While community concerns must take precedence, common sense must prevail. Here's to the opportunity to develop the last bit of waterfron property facing NYC!
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