There has been a significant amount of misinformation presented recently about the proposed Kings Point Gate project in Great Neck.
The proposed Kings Point Gate project, located at 794-812 Middle Neck Road, is an as-of-right condominium with a total of 68 units that will conform to all zoning regulations and workforce housing requirements.
Opponents of the project have said that the owner’s prior project application was denied, but this is simply not true. The owner withdrew the application based on a decision to pursue the current as-of-right project.
Other claims are so outrageous (people living in closets in the building?) that they do not deserve a response.
The Kings Point Gate rental complex (still frequently referred to by its old name, Academy Gardens) currently has 22 remaining rent-regulated tenants, and the property owners fully recognize that the rights of these tenants are protected by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal. The owners have stated repeatedly that they will comply with all legal requirements.
The owners also have repeatedly contacted all the tenants and asked to meet with them to address their questions and concerns.
This offer remains open, and the owners will work with tenants throughout this process. While not obligated to help tenants find new apartments, the owner will seek to assist tenants as they look for similar apartments in the area, and will work to limit any disruption.
Unfortunately, some of the dialogue has now become ugly. At a recent public hearing, and in a letter to the editor of The Island Now, there was what appears to be an offensive stereotype used to describe real estate developers. The Island Now on February 27 published this statement as part of a larger letter from an opponent to the project: “Over history, almost all of the developers or their families have come from a background where they were forced out of their countries and torn from their homes.”
This is written to be intentionally vague, but it certainly causes one to wonder if the author meant to say that all real estate developers are Jewish, or from a specific heritage. If so, it is wildly inappropriate and ironic, considering that the residents of Kings Point Gate have unfairly accused the owners of racial bias.
An open dialogue about the future of residential development in Great Neck is beneficial to all. Divisive stereotypes are not.
George Shea,
Spokesperson, Kings Point Gate Associates
