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[Guest C-R-P-H]

To make room for soccer team, businesses are getting the boot Monday, May 21, 2007

By N. CLARK JUDD

JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

HARRISON - Skipper, the office mascot for Infinite Sign Industries, looked worried.

Feathers akimbo as he perched almost pensively on the edge of his cage, the African gray parrot watched his owner, ISI General Manager Phil Morgan, as he discussed his company's upcoming move to Irvington. Like the rest of ISI's staff, Skipper will be out of his cage in the company's 30,000-square-foot Harrison space by June 15, by order of State Superior Court Judge Maurice J. Gallipoli.

And even that time, a 30-day extension on a 90-day advance notice of eviction given by ISI's new landlord, the Harrison Redevelopment Authority, is a blessing: originally, Morgan said, ISI was supposed to move out last week.

The HRA is evicting ISI and several other businesses located in the 275-acre swath of Harrison to make room for a massive redevelopment project that includes a new soccer stadium for the Red Bull New York team, townhomes, street-level retail and parking facilities on the premise that the project will revitalize the town's waterfront. The area is largely vacant, with canyons of old warehouses either empty or converted to parking lots catering to Harrison's commuter population.

But it also is - or was - a place of business for people like Morgan, who say the town of Harrison is making the wrong move by giving them the heave-ho.

"The mayor says this redevelopment plan will create jobs," Morgan said. "But he's not mentioning how many jobs are being destroyed in the process." ISI employs 50 people ranging from designers and engineers to factory workers his company has trained to use its high-tech fabrication equipment.

Just a few blocks away, Manny Amaral, a Portuguese immigrant, may lose several automotive businesses he first opened on Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard 26 years ago. He began with an auto repair shop and expanded over the years to include commuter parking for the nearby PATH station and an automotive dealership that began by selling used Fords and Toyotas in 2005, but now features Audis and BMWs in its front lot.

Amaral lost a court battle contesting the HRA's right to take his property. Another appeal in the case is pending.

Because the litigation is ongoing, attorneys for Adler, Amaral and the HRA all declined further comment. Harrison's mayor, Raymond J. McDonough, did not return phone calls Friday.

IMAGINE THE HARRISON REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SAYING: Sorry, but we'll have to temporary move you to another location, but as soon as this project is complete, we'll move you in to a 30,000sq ft condo space for you to conduct your business. No rent, even swap, we'll pay for your temporary relocation fees to, unless you want to make it your new location. Of course you'll be responsible for your share in taxes and some maintenance fees, but you'll own it like a condo when were done. Thank you for supporting the Harrison Redevelopment Project.

INSTEAD THE HARRISON REDEVELOPMENT AGANCY SAYS GET THE F**K OUT, BYE BYE. YOUR TO LATE, YOU SHOULD HAVE COMPLAINED IN 1998, THE TWO WEEKS YOU HAD TO SPEAK UP.

[Guest Guest]

To make room for soccer team, businesses are getting the boot Monday, May 21, 2007

By N. CLARK JUDD

JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

HARRISON - Skipper, the office mascot for Infinite Sign Industries, looked worried.

Feathers akimbo as he perched almost pensively on the edge of his cage, the African gray parrot watched his owner, ISI General Manager Phil Morgan, as he discussed his company's upcoming move to Irvington. Like the rest of ISI's staff, Skipper will be out of his cage in the company's 30,000-square-foot Harrison space by June 15, by order of State Superior Court Judge Maurice J. Gallipoli.

And even that time, a 30-day extension on a 90-day advance notice of eviction given by ISI's new landlord, the Harrison Redevelopment Authority, is a blessing: originally, Morgan said, ISI was supposed to move out last week.

The HRA is evicting ISI and several other businesses located in the 275-acre swath of Harrison to make room for a massive redevelopment project that includes a new soccer stadium for the Red Bull New York team, townhomes, street-level retail and parking facilities on the premise that the project will revitalize the town's waterfront. The area is largely vacant, with canyons of old warehouses either empty or converted to parking lots catering to Harrison's commuter population.

But it also is - or was - a place of business for people like Morgan, who say the town of Harrison is making the wrong move by giving them the heave-ho.

"The mayor says this redevelopment plan will create jobs," Morgan said. "But he's not mentioning how many jobs are being destroyed in the process." ISI employs 50 people ranging from designers and engineers to factory workers his company has trained to use its high-tech fabrication equipment.

Just a few blocks away, Manny Amaral, a Portuguese immigrant, may lose several automotive businesses he first opened on Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard 26 years ago. He began with an auto repair shop and expanded over the years to include commuter parking for the nearby PATH station and an automotive dealership that began by selling used Fords and Toyotas in 2005, but now features Audis and BMWs in its front lot.

Amaral lost a court battle contesting the HRA's right to take his property. Another appeal in the case is pending.

Because the litigation is ongoing, attorneys for Adler, Amaral and the HRA all declined further comment. Harrison's mayor, Raymond J. McDonough, did not return phone calls Friday.

IMAGINE THE HARRISON REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SAYING:  Sorry, but we'll have to temporary move you to another location, but as soon as this project is complete, we'll move you in to a 30,000sq ft condo space for you to conduct your business.  No rent, even swap, we'll pay for your temporary relocation fees to, unless you want to make it your new location.  Of course you'll be responsible for your share in taxes and some maintenance fees, but you'll own it like a condo when were done.  Thank you for supporting the Harrison Redevelopment Project.

INSTEAD THE HARRISON REDEVELOPMENT AGANCY SAYS GET THE F**K OUT, BYE BYE.  YOUR TO LATE, YOU SHOULD HAVE COMPLAINED IN 1998, THE TWO WEEKS YOU HAD TO SPEAK UP.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The process took more like 18 months to two years of Public Meetings (not two weeks), get you facts straight.

[Guest to many "behind the scene&q]

The process took more like 18 months to two years of Public Meetings (not two weeks), get you facts straight.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So was that when the movie studios were coming to town?

I remember 1 meeting at the high school & please why are there still no video cameras in these meetings?

to many "behind the scene" deal going on?

and now it's just to late? Let it go to public referandum.