Hunts Point leaders continue struggle to revitalize the market
Hunts Point leaders continue struggle to revitalize the market
As co-president of the Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative Association Inc. Matt D'Arrigo has worked for a revitalized Hunts Point Terminal Market since 2000. In the process, he has seen more ups and downs than a West Virginia country road.
At this time, "all of our options are open to prepare for the future and compete as effectively as we can. One obvious possibility is creating a satellite market in New Jersey. There is quiet contact with New Jersey, which is an interested party in job development and industrial development."
But, in a Feb. 26 interview, Mr. D'Arrigo, who is also vice president of D'Arrigo Bros. Co. of New York Inc., stressed, "Our primary goal and wish is to redevelop here in Hunts Point. There is a pending meeting with the New York City Economic Development Commission, which should happen in the next month." An earlier meeting had been postponed. "There are a few little pesky things that always postpone" the meetings, he said.
If the market is revitalized on its existing Hunts Point location, there would be two state-of-the-art structures build at what is now the back of the market. These would be behind row D, which is the fourth of four long, parallel buildings that comprise the existing market.
If and when the new construction is complete,Row D would be razed. Rows A, B and C would be converted to alternate uses, which might include repacking or cold storage facilities. There may be a New York state local farm market set up there, wholesale produce operators might work from the three huge docks, there might be produce processing businesses that emerge, or space could be leased for the short term to customers. The space "would be ideal for purveyors, as well," Mr. D'Arrigo said. "If all goes well, we would open in four or five years."
His co-president, Steve Katzman, said, "We are waiting for the city to decide on a new market. A satellite facility on the other side of the bridge makes a lot of sense if the city drags its feet. We need it. Now the question is where it goes. We know the design we want." Engineering and architectural work, as well as cost analyses, are in place, Mr. Katzman said.
What remains is a New York City response: Will the city approve the move to build critical new sections of the Hunts Point market. "We should have that answer in the next couple of weeks."
In late February, Mr. Katzman said, "To this point, we're talking with the people from the Economic Development Commission" of New York City "and we are getting to the point where we are giving our plans. I may be optimistic" about making progress soon.
Mr. Katzman said that his personal businesses, which are several companies on the Hunts Point market, are growing. "I need more room. I hope it's here. If not here, somewhere. We definitely need to do something. If I don't know in three months' time that we will have positive feedback" on an expansion at Hunts Point, "my business can't wait forever. We have storage in New Jersey already."
Specifically, Mr. Katzman said he is leasing warehousing space in Vineland, NJ, and in Philadelphia. His interests will make more money if he owns warehousing space.
Atop all his other business, Mr. Katzman is handling 80 loads of onions this year. "It's to the point I need the room. To pay someone to store them makes no sense." He has many customers "on the other side of the bridge ... Wakefern, C&S and customers in Schenectady [NY] and Boston who we can serve without crossing the George Washington Bridge. If we do a new market, it may be in New Jersey."
Ciro Porricelli, a partner in Jerry Porricelli Produce on the market, said that a refurbished market "is a long way off. It would be nice to have something modern and new. This market is antiquated." The existing market was designed for 40-foot trailers and is now accommodating 53-foot trailers. "We need something new."
The 53-year-old Mr. Porricelli half-joked, "I might be retired" by the time Hunts Point improvements are made. While his business operates one unit, he said that the big companies on the market have upgraded their refrigeration systems and roofs.
Mr. Porricelli wondered where the money will come from to pay for a new market, but said that he would "like a little more space" when the time comes.
Joe Palumbo, the treasurer of the Hunts Point Terminal Market Cooperative, said that the board of the co-op "has been working very hard for the last several years" to resolve the market rebuilding process. "Matt and Steve do a great, great job and put in an unbelievable amount of time, effort and hard work. We can never repay them for all they do."
(For more on Hunts Point, see the March 24 issue of The Produce News.)
At this time, "all of our options are open to prepare for the future and compete as effectively as we can. One obvious possibility is creating a satellite market in New Jersey. There is quiet contact with New Jersey, which is an interested party in job development and industrial development."
But, in a Feb. 26 interview, Mr. D'Arrigo, who is also vice president of D'Arrigo Bros. Co. of New York Inc., stressed, "Our primary goal and wish is to redevelop here in Hunts Point. There is a pending meeting with the New York City Economic Development Commission, which should happen in the next month." An earlier meeting had been postponed. "There are a few little pesky things that always postpone" the meetings, he said.
If the market is revitalized on its existing Hunts Point location, there would be two state-of-the-art structures build at what is now the back of the market. These would be behind row D, which is the fourth of four long, parallel buildings that comprise the existing market.
If and when the new construction is complete,Row D would be razed. Rows A, B and C would be converted to alternate uses, which might include repacking or cold storage facilities. There may be a New York state local farm market set up there, wholesale produce operators might work from the three huge docks, there might be produce processing businesses that emerge, or space could be leased for the short term to customers. The space "would be ideal for purveyors, as well," Mr. D'Arrigo said. "If all goes well, we would open in four or five years."
His co-president, Steve Katzman, said, "We are waiting for the city to decide on a new market. A satellite facility on the other side of the bridge makes a lot of sense if the city drags its feet. We need it. Now the question is where it goes. We know the design we want." Engineering and architectural work, as well as cost analyses, are in place, Mr. Katzman said.
What remains is a New York City response: Will the city approve the move to build critical new sections of the Hunts Point market. "We should have that answer in the next couple of weeks."
In late February, Mr. Katzman said, "To this point, we're talking with the people from the Economic Development Commission" of New York City "and we are getting to the point where we are giving our plans. I may be optimistic" about making progress soon.
Mr. Katzman said that his personal businesses, which are several companies on the Hunts Point market, are growing. "I need more room. I hope it's here. If not here, somewhere. We definitely need to do something. If I don't know in three months' time that we will have positive feedback" on an expansion at Hunts Point, "my business can't wait forever. We have storage in New Jersey already."
Specifically, Mr. Katzman said he is leasing warehousing space in Vineland, NJ, and in Philadelphia. His interests will make more money if he owns warehousing space.
Atop all his other business, Mr. Katzman is handling 80 loads of onions this year. "It's to the point I need the room. To pay someone to store them makes no sense." He has many customers "on the other side of the bridge ... Wakefern, C&S and customers in Schenectady [NY] and Boston who we can serve without crossing the George Washington Bridge. If we do a new market, it may be in New Jersey."
Ciro Porricelli, a partner in Jerry Porricelli Produce on the market, said that a refurbished market "is a long way off. It would be nice to have something modern and new. This market is antiquated." The existing market was designed for 40-foot trailers and is now accommodating 53-foot trailers. "We need something new."
The 53-year-old Mr. Porricelli half-joked, "I might be retired" by the time Hunts Point improvements are made. While his business operates one unit, he said that the big companies on the market have upgraded their refrigeration systems and roofs.
Mr. Porricelli wondered where the money will come from to pay for a new market, but said that he would "like a little more space" when the time comes.
Joe Palumbo, the treasurer of the Hunts Point Terminal Market Cooperative, said that the board of the co-op "has been working very hard for the last several years" to resolve the market rebuilding process. "Matt and Steve do a great, great job and put in an unbelievable amount of time, effort and hard work. We can never repay them for all they do."
(For more on Hunts Point, see the March 24 issue of The Produce News.)
