Based on my outreach efforts, the Latino population in Hunters Point feels that Queens West has left them out. The project was not planned to accommodate the existing Hunters Point community, which is mainly working people.
The Latinos here favor a kind of development, but on a small scale. People want to see their community improve and be prosperous, all the residents having better job and housing opportunities. At a recent meeting, Hunters Point resident, Rina Perez said "I am afraid that this new project will displace the current community," and then explained that it will cause speculative rent increases because the project is not built on a scale similar to the existing community.
Another Hunters Point resident, Vicky Benado, said, "Queens West should give job priority to local residents." Don Peter a long-time resident and one of the first Latinos in this community, sat in the doorway of his home looking out across the East River. With a melancholy voice he said, "If Queens West comes to be, I will miss my natural air conditioner and this precious view."
The Latinos, like most of their neighbors want development that sustains the local residents and businesses, not something that turns its back to the community.
To contact the Hunters Point Community Coalition
Call or write:
Hunters Point Community Coalition