Curt Ritter 212-788-2971
Bernadette O'Leary 212-312-3523 (EDC)
MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES MAJOR EXPANSION AT HUNTS POINT FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTER
State-Of-The-Art Refrigerated Meat Storage Facility Will Be Constructed At Country's Largest Wholesale Food Market
Deputy Mayor Randy M. Mastro, on behalf of Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, announced today that the City will support the first major expansion of the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center in 20 years. The City has committed $5 million toward a new state-of-the-art refrigerated warehouse and distribution facility which will be constructed to expand the Hunts Point Meat Market in the Bronx.
The expansion will enable large meat market tenants to compete more effectively in the region. The City's $5 million investment in this new facility is part of its larger $35 million commitment to upgrade and expand the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center.
"The Hunts Point Food Distribution Center is the largest wholesale food market in the United States," said Deputy Mayor Mastro. "With more than 5,000 people working at the center, Hunts Point also is the biggest employer in the Bronx. For the first time in 20 years, the City is working to enhance this incredible economic resource by expanding the meat market with a facility that will help ensure the market's success into the 21st century. And as the market's tenants thrive and grow here in New York City, adding jobs and generating revenue to the City, we are sure to see a substantial return on this investment."
In addition to the City's $5 million commitment, funds for the new facility also have been secured from meat market tenants. West Side Foods, which is one of the largest wholesale meat distribution companies in New York City with approximately 200 employees, has committed to occupy 67,000 square feet of the new building and finance its portion of the project. Nebraskaland, the second largest meat market tenant with 90 employees, has also committed to lease 40,000 square feet and secure substantial private funds for the project.
"We are very pleased and excited that the City recognizes and supports the businesses of the South Bronx and Hunts Point," said Vincent Pacifico, a principal of West Side Foods, Inc. "Our confidence in the current direction of the City and the future of the market solidifies our commitment to grow here. This project is good for West Side, good for the market and, most importantly, good for the hardworking people who live and work here."
Nebraskaland Vice President Robert Romanoff said, "My family has been in the meat business in New York City for four generations. The Mayor's commitment to this expansion project will enable us to grow here in Hunts Point for many generations to come."
In January 1997, Mayor Giuliani released the Hunts Point Master Plan, an independent study which assessed the Food Distribution Center and recommended various improvements, including an expanded meat market and enhanced signage and traffic circulation. The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is coordinating the City's effort to facilitate the Hunts Point Meat Market expansion through funding and accommodating tenants' lease needs. As part of this effort, EDC funded a recently completed $50,000 feasibility and preliminary engineering study to plan the Hunts Point Meat Market expansion.
The EDC study recommended construction of a highly modern, cost-efficient, refrigerated meat warehouse and distribution facility at the meat market. The new facility will be up to 150,000 square feet in size, and total costs could reach $18 million.
In 1996, Mayor Giuliani announced the Hunts Point Action Plan, a multi-agency strategy aimed at enhancing the quality of life and helping businesses in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx. The City's investment in the meat refrigeration facility further supports Mayor Giuliani's goals as outlined in the Action Plan.
EDC is the City's primary vehicle for economic development services. Using its real estate and financial resources, EDC helps develop businesses and create jobs throughout the five boroughs.
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