The New York Sun reports:
A plan for a Costco store in a Manhattan West Side residential project is drawing opposition from local elected officials, labor unions, and community groups, who may block the outlet from opening at a time when New York consumers could use the access to the lower prices available at the discount chain.
In bringing one of the nation's largest big-box chains to a site along the West Side Highway between West 59th and West 61st streets, Extell Development Co. faces an uphill climb. Previous efforts to open Costco stores on West 23rd Street and Tenth Avenue and on West 55th Street and Tenth Avenue in Manhattan were scrapped after being met with local opposition in 2000. The warehouse store, which sells products to members who pay an annual fee, offers cut-rate prices on everything from electronic appliances to gourmet cheese, wine, and home furnishings.
The district's City Council member, Gale Brewer, is voicing objections to the proposed store, and the chair of the council's zoning committee, Tony Avella, says he would likely oppose the plan as well. The development requires the area to be rezoned, meaning that the council, which typically defers to the affected district's representative, would have to approve the inclusion of the store.
Here's a gem of a quote:
A member of the New York State Assembly, Linda Rosenthal, who represents the district, says that her main concern is increased traffic but that she is also worried that the store could displace existing businesses.
"I don't want them to be competitors to our local stores," Ms. Rosenthal said yesterday in an interview.
Why have anti-trust laws if they don't apply to people like Linda Rosenthal? Look who's the enemy of poor people:unions and their politicians on the pad.
