STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Jonathan Jimenez has owned Tony Signs on Bay Street for almost 14 years. He's excited about the possibility of his sign business growing if a city plan to rezone this strip to trigger development on the North Shore goes through.
"I would like to expand, absolutely. Why not try to build up higher and see what you can do with the opportunity?" Jimenez said.
Officials say the rezoning of 14 blocks known as the Bay Street Corridor would create 1,800 housing units, businesses and jobs - all with easy access to public transportation.
But critics say its not clear businesses like Tony Signs would be able to stick around to share in the neighborhood's rebirth.
"There's a lot of businesses that are going to be gone after this," said Ivan Garcia of Make the Road New York.
The rezoning would allow buildings as tall as 13 stories, boosting property values so much many landlords will be tempted to sell to developers who would clear the properties for new construction.
Thirty businesses, including grocery stores, car repair shops and a pharmacy, now operate in the corridor
"Some people depend on this little area right here. Especially the rite aid, the laundromat, the bank is right there. The salons over here. You change all that, where's everybody gonna go?" said Nigel Braxton, a resident.
A special concern is the fate of Western Beef, known for its affordable prices. The grocer is locked into a long-term lease, but its parking lot is seen as ripe for redevelopment. Many fear that if it disappears, the store would follow.
"The working class is worried that they're gonna get pushed out. It's supporting a lot of people; it's a business and the food for a lot of our customers," said Tony Stehly, Western Beef's manager.
The de Blasio administration counters that after the rezoning there will be more grocery stores and businesses than today benefiting residents.
The City Council land use committee is set to vote on the proposed rezoning later this week. The full Council will vote on it at the end of the month.
