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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 186-11
June 1, 2011

STATEMENTS OF MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND HUNTS POINT TERMINAL PRODUCE COOPERATIVE CO-PRESIDENT STEPHEN KATZMAN ON THE CO-OP'S LEASE EXTENSION AND RECOMMITMENT TO THE BRONX

Statement of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

“Thanks to this agreement, the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative will extend its lease, recommit to the Bronx, and, for the next nine months, work with New York City – and New York City only – on a long-term plan for a larger, modernized market.  Our Administration and the Co-op both want that to be built in the Bronx, and in the coming months, we will continue working together to make it happen.

“For more than 40 years, the market has been a vibrant part of the South Bronx and the entire City.  Today, it provides fresh produce to millions of New Yorkers while generating billions of dollars in revenue for the City’s growing economy. It’s great news that the Co-op will remain in the Bronx for at least the next three years, and we’re more optimistic today than ever that it will thrive there for many more years to come. Today’s agreement is possible thanks to the support of Governor Cuomo and the Empire State Development Corporation, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and the Bronx Congressional Delegation, Speaker Quinn and the Bronx Council Delegation, Borough President Diaz and our other partners. Throughout this process, we have worked together with them and the produce wholesalers to reach an agreement that will best serve the buyers and sellers, as well as taxpayers.”

Statement of Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative Co-President Stephen Katzman

“We are happy to announce today that the Hunts Point Produce Market’s negotiating committee has arrived at an agreement in principle with the City of New York regarding a lease extension. This proposal keeps us in the Bronx for at least the next three years and requires us to negotiate exclusively with the City, for a term of nine months, in hopes of coming to a long-term lease renewal and a market rebuild. We would like to thank the EDC, the City, the State of New York and Federal elected representatives for coming to the table to help us develop this plan. We are proud to provide the City and the entire region with the very best produce and we remain confident that, pending the approval of our entire Board, this interim agreement will allow us the necessary time to negotiate the best financial deal to secure a long-term home for the world’s largest produce market.”







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser/Andrew Brent   (212) 788-2958

Patrick Muncie / Jennifer Friedberg (NYCEDC)   (212) 312-3523

Don Hoffman (Hunts Point Produce Co-op)   (212) 981-5118



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