Release #203-97

CONTACT: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Deirdra L. Picou (212) 788-2971

Mayor Giuliani said,

"We are here today to celebrate a quiet success story -- the revitalization of Hunts Point, a critical part of our City and our economy. For too long this market -- and the surrounding neighborhood -- were neglected by the City. My administration recognized the importance of Hunts Point and took steps to help business in this area of the Bronx and improve the quality of life. Last year, I announced a multi-agency revitalization plan and today we are here to highlight the results of our efforts."

"In just eight months, a coordinated City effort has resulted in dramatic improvements not only in the Hunts Point Market but in the local community as well," the Mayor continued. "Economic development is on the rise; the food markets are set to thrive under new regulatory reforms designed to attack organized crime; the streets are cleaner; traffic flow is improved thanks to better signage and repaired street lights; and the neighborhood is safer than it's been in decades. From 1994 through 1996, crime was down in Hunts Point by more than 45 percent -- which surpassed the overall citywide decrease. And crime continues to fall here, this year."

"Now when people think of Hunts Point, they will think of thriving business, increased economic opportunities and a community on the rise," the Mayor concluded.

A summary of the City's accomplishments under the Hunts Point Action Plan are summarized below:

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION

• The City's Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will invest $35 million over the next five years in the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center. Approximately $25 million will help upgrade the infrastructure at the Hunts Point Produce Market and an additional $10 million will go toward market-wide improvements. This is the largest investment in the markets since their construction in the 1960s and 1970s.

• A new truck parking facility was constructed for KFI Food Distributors, Inc. (Krasdale Foods) with assistance from EDC. The completion of this parking facility has enabled KFI to stay in the Bronx and expand beyond its current 500 jobs. The new facility is part of a long-term lease agreement reached by the City and KFI in 1996. KFI has been a major employer in the Bronx for ninety years and its continued presence will enhance Hunts Point's economic revival.

• The City has also reached retention and relocation deals with the Bazzini Nut Company and Dayton Industries Inc. Bazzini will bring 100 jobs to Hunts Point and Dayton Industries recently announced plans to stay in the Bronx thanks to incentives from the City.

• Victory Food Services Distributors Corporation will move to the Hunts Point area and purchase a 58,000-square-foot building. Victory had considered moving to New Jersey but, with the help of the Industrial Development Agency's Industrial Incentive Program, the company will remain and grow in the Bronx. Victory expects to more than double its current workforce.

• EDC is funding a feasibility study to expand the Meat Market.

• The Hunts Point area has experienced even greater reductions in crime than the City as a whole. In the first three years of the Giuliani Administration, crime fell more than 45 percent in Hunts Point compared to 39 percent citywide. In 1996 alone, crime was down 23 percent in the area, compared to 16 percent citywide. And crime continues to fall in Hunts Point in 1997. Since 1993, crime in Hunts Point has decreased in every major category, including a 62 percent drop in the murder rate.

• The Police Department has cracked down on both gangs and prostitution (Operation Losing Proposition) in the Hunts Point peninsula.

• The Department of Sanitation removed more than 18,000 tons of debris -- the equivalent of one-and-a-half days of residential garbage for the entire City -- from two lots on Faile Street.

• The area's cleanliness scorecard rating improved from "marginal" to "clean" since implementation of the Hunts Point Action Plan.

• The Department of Sanitation has issued 20 violations and impounded eight vehicles for illegal dumping.

• The Department of Transportation (DOT) installed 126 directional and street signs, and repaired 61 street light defects throughout the area to improve traffic flow and safety.

• DOT and the Department of Design and Construction have begun a $19 million capital reconstruction project to fix streets in need of repair.

• The Department of Health (DOH) has completed the first phase of a comprehensive rodent control program, covering a targeted 25-block area, and inspecting 3,500 units in almost 500 buildings. The reinspection phase of the project is scheduled to begin in the near future.

• DOH has also established a Hunts Point Childhood Health Promotion Initiative to identify and address such health problems as asthma, and to coordinate educational and prevention activities in conjunction with local community groups.

• The Department of Consumer Affairs has stepped up inspection and enforcement activities forcing local businesses that are operating illegally to operate within the law.

• The Department of Environmental Protection is actively monitoring air, noise, odor and traffic conditions and has done extensive work to clean out catch basins in the area.

• The Department of Business Services is coordinating with the Hunts Point Local Development Corporation and local businesses to maximize the effectiveness of the delivery of government services.

• The Mayor's bill to reform the public food markets and eliminate organized crime's influence was approved by the City Council's Economic Development Committee last week. Under the direction of Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, this legislation will allow the City to replicate its success at the Fulton Fish Market, through regulatory reforms and greater oversight by the City. This initiative is part of the Giuliani Administration's efforts to rid the City of organized crime's influence over markets and other industries.

At today's press conference, the Mayor was joined by:

• Charles Krasne, President of KFI Food Distributors Inc. (Krasdale)
• Robert Gwelb, Executive Vice President of Krasdale
• Josephine Infante, Director of the Hunts Point Local Development Corporation
• Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro
• Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington
• New York City Police Commissioner Howard Safir
• Department of Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty
• Economic Development Corporation President Charles Millard;
• and other City Commissioners and civic leaders.