Willets Point's magical mystery numbers
Lie #1 - Job Creation"The project will create the equivalent of more than 25,000 person-years (?????) of construction employment, about 5,000 permanent jobs in a diverse array of sectors including retail, office, entertainment, restaurant, education and hospitality, among others, as well as nearly 1,000 indirect jobs associated with the convention center." - current numbers on EDC website
"The city says its plan would create 20,000 construction jobs and 6,100 permanent jobs." - Newsday, 11/29/07
"The NYCEDC has estimated that it can offset industrial job loss with 7,000 new permanent jobs and 20,000 construction jobs." - The Christian Science Monitor, 5/22/08
"You're going to get 6,000 permanent jobs, 20,000 construction jobs." - Claire Shulman to NY1, 6/24/08***
"The development project will support 18,000 construction jobs and create more than 5,300 permanent jobs." - Claire Shulman op-ed in NY Sun, 8/14/08***
"...construction and ongoing operation of the project, which is projected to create 5,500 permanent jobs and 18,000 construction jobs..." - Helen Marshall press release, 9/29/08
"...development of the overall project and the creation of 5,300 permanent and 18,000 construction jobs, at a time that will coincide with economic recovery." - NYCEDC president Seth W. Pinsky to Real Estate Weekly, 4/29/09
"The project will also create about 18,000 construction jobs and 5,000 permanent jobs." - EDC press release, 5/29/09
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"It is estimated that the development will produce 10 years of construction jobs for 2500 workers and will also yield up to 5,000 permanent positions." - Claire Shulman (FWPCLDC - click "benefits")***
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Lie #2 - Economic Benefits:
"...a total positive economic impact on the New York City economy over the next 30 years of more than $1.5 billion." - Bloomberg press release, 5/1/07***
"In addition, the development would produce temporary and permanent construction jobs and could produce up to $3 billion in revenue for the city during the next 30 years." - Queens Chamber of Commerce, 8/08 newsletter
"It is also predicted that the overall fiscal impact of the Willets Point development will reach more than 4.2 billion dollars over 30 years." - Claire & EDC, current info
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"...projected to generate $25 billion in economic activity over next 30 years." - Helen Marshall press release, 9/29/08 & Bloomberg press release, 11/1/08***:::::::::::::::::::::::RIMSHOT:::::::::::::::::::::::
