Eric Adams’ $1B hotel deal for migrants — whose – Latest News
What is Mayor Eric Adams considering? He and his people signed off on a practically $1 billion contract with the hotel industry for migrant and homeless lodging — even because the migrant disaster abates, they usually close shelters across the metropolis.
Worse, the contract wasn’t even competitively bid.
Talk about sweetheart offers during an election 12 months.
As The Post reviews, City Hall’s $929.1 million deal with the Hotel Association of New York City will cowl the associated fee of hotel rooms for migrants and different homeless “clients,” at the same time as town is phasing out emergency migrant shelters and encampments, akin to at Randall’s Island and Floyd Bennett Field.
Perhaps essentially the most iconic image of town’s migrant-shelter disaster, the Roosevelt Hotel, is set to close as quickly as subsequent week.
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So the place’s the logic of a new no-bid contract?
Team Adams says that, regardless of the dwindling numbers of migrants beneath President Donald Trump, town’s shelter population stays at a high of 86,000 — far above regular ranges.
But then why close websites? Could or not it’s to offer an excuse for HANYC to seek out rooms?
And why a no-bid contract, guaranteeing larger costs? Surely correct planning would’ve left enough time for aggressive bidding.
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The price isn’t the one drawback: The transfer takes “a bloc of hotel rooms off the tourist market while people complain the city’s hotel room costs are so high,” notes policy-expert Nicole Gelinas.
Then again, the hotel industry may be a highly effective political ally during an election season — bringing in hefty votes and money for favored candidates.
And Adams, whose bid for reelection has been rocky, to say the least, appears determined for assist.
Recall how Gov. Kathy Hochul equally used the COVID “emergency” to award tons of of thousands and thousands for COVID check kits to a prime political donor.
As City Council Member Julie Menin famous in The Post, “emergency” contracts in New York too usually final nicely previous their emergencies, at the same time as they skirt correct vetting, making them subject to abuse and corruption.
Menin is sponsoring laws to crack down on the apply. Good.
Still, even with out laws, there’s no excuse for this seemingly fetid hotel deal.
