NYC leaders support Brooklyn sportsplex.

Leaders from the business community and the construction industry, and New York City and State officials joined Coney Island residents in urging the State Legislature to authorize the finance and construction of The Sportsplex in Brooklyn. Their testimonies were presented during a public hearing held by the New York State Temporary Commission on Brooklyn Recreational Facilities on April 8th.

Separate bills authorizing the financing of The Sportsplex, a proposed $70 million, indoor amateur athletic facility in Coney Island, passed both the New York State Assembly and Senate last June. The bills differed, however, concerning affirmative action provisions in the operation of the facility. Affirmative action was the focal point of numerous witnesses.

Letitia James, representing Assembly-member Albert Vann, chair of the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, said "Affirmative action should be viewed as a source of strength, not as a dirty phrase." She specifically referred to Article 15-A, which requires affirmative action efforts in state agencies and public authorities. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York would finance and build The Sportsplex.

"It is important to realize that Article 15-A is not a quota system. It promotes inclusion of all citizens of New York on the basis of genuine equality of opportunity and advances fairness, not favoritism," she said.

Article 15-A states: "It is the policy of the State of New York to promote equal opportunity in employment of all persons, without discrimination, and to eradicate through effective programs the barriers that have unreasonably impaired access by minority and women-owned business enterprises to state contracting opportunities."

Bradford Construction Corp. President Sandra Wilkin, a Brooklyn native and member of the Regional Alliance for Small Contractors (RASC) and Professional Women in Construction (PWC), also defended affirmative action. "These programs open markets to new people, new ideas and increasing competition. Despite the rhetoric of some politicians, there are many women and minority-owned firms in the area that are fully qualified to help build The Sportsplex," Wilkin said.

Wilkin also urged legislators to speak with leaders of New York's construction industry, who "constantly make women and minority firms aware of opportunities, provide advice on bidding and managing a successful business and know that their companies and the whole industry benefits from affirmative action."

Morse/Diesel Senior Vice President Vince Arcuri echoed Wilkin's sentiments. "The construction industry in New York City is proud of the opportunities we provide" to women and minority-owned firms. "Down here in New York, we work very well together without legislation."

Arcuri then urged the Temporary Commission to work with the RASC contractors during development of the contract process and bypass the need for affirmative action provisions in The Sportsplex legislation.

Peter Kiernan, chairman of the Brooklyn Sports Foundation and chair of the public hearing, said "It is ironic that this (affirmative action disagreements) would happen in Brooklyn, which is one of the most integrated and diverse counties in the United States. There are 90 different languages spoken in Brooklyn."

Kiernan also noted that 19 sports facilities have been authorized by the State Legislature in recent years, each with identical affirmative action provisions.

The Brooklyn Sports Foundation, the impetus behind The Sportsplex, has developed a plan for a 262,000 square-foot multipurpose venue to accommodate all indoor high school, collegiate and amateur sports.

George Hoffman, a local real estate developer, noted that the addition of The Sportsplex is an important step in the revitalization of Coney Island. "What is needed," he said, "is the will to affirmatively act to benefit the children of New York."

In all, the commission heard testimony from 13 witnesses, including 52nd Assembly District Leader Ralph Profetto, Astella Development Corporation President Judi Orlando and Fred Strickland of Strickland Sports and Promotions.