Scare Tactics Alleged Over Queens Lots

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The New York Sun

At a press conference yesterday, proponents of “downzoning” said a developer used scare tactics to persuade property-owners to sell vacant lots.


In a letter sent two weeks ago to owners of more than 4,000 vacant lots in Queens, the City Success Corp. erroneously told property owners that down zoning – limiting the size of new construction – had been approved for “all” areas of the city and argued that limiting building size would reduce property values.


“We can buy your land now while you can still make a profit, before all the new zoning comes into effect,” the president of City Success, Ivan Ivgi, wrote. Then he added, in bold, capitalized, underlined letters: “Do not wait.”


Mr. Ivgi, speaking yesterday to The New York Sun, said he apologizes for the letter, which he said was worded poorly. “If I did anything to scare people, I’m sorry,” he said.


He said he believes property values will indeed decrease in the near term, when the rezoning first takes effect, but will rise along with city properties in the future.


The New York Sun

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