NYC Comptroller William Thompson and Rob JettComptroller William Thompson has become the latest official eying higher office to take notice of a preservation battle being waged over the Ridgewood Reservoir.
Thompson, a Democrat long rumored to be running for mayor next year, joined locals last week on a 2-mile hike through the densely wooded reservoir on the Queens-Brooklyn border.
His bodyguard in tow, Thompson emerged with a newfound appreciation for the 50-acre woodland slated for a $50 million upgrade in Mayor Bloomberg's sweeping PlaNYC initiative.
"It's an amazing space," Thompson said, marveling at the vastness and serenity of the landscape, which has regenerated into a rare urban forest since closing as a water source in 1989.
Thompson has yet to officially enter the already crowded race for Gracie Mansion. But he reported more than $4 million in fund-raising at the city Campaign Finance Board's filing deadline last month. He is also not the first candidate to explore the site.
Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside), a declared mayoral candidate for 2009, made a visit late last year. With construction expected to begin at the reservoir in 2009, and Parks officials currently developing design plans, preservationists are courting interest from citywide candidates.
"We're talking about spending a heck of a lot of money here," said Rob Jett, one of the leaders of the Ridgewood Reservoir Education and Preservation Project. "I just think it's important that they all see what can be gained or lost in future decisions."
Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski said planners are considering a development model that balances active and passive recreation with preservation of natural areas.
Thompson stopped short of taking a side on the controversial proposal, but said he would soon declare a "public position." Yet the value of the undisturbed natural area was not lost on him.
"How many spaces are there like this in the city of New York?" he asked rhetorically, noting that parks issues will surely be discussed in the 2009 campaign - particularly questions of funding for Bloomberg's far-reaching PlaNYC.
"It's a great outline and blueprint for the city, but how do we pay for all of it?" he said.
Thompson said he doubts the reservoir will be debated during the mayoral campaign. Avella disagreed.
"Not only is it a local issue, but I think it's a citywide issue," Avella told Queens News. He said developing the reservoir's three interior basins - and bulldozing trees to do it - contradicts Bloomberg's pledge to plant a million trees in the city by 2030.
"This is an example of how city government doesn't pay attention to the neighborhoods and the concerns of its own citizens," he said.
