[NYguy]

http://www.queenstribune.com/deadlin...ceToLeave.html
Aqueduct Flea Market Given Notice To Leave



By DOMENICK RAFTER

The Aqueduct Flea Market, which has been a staple in the north parking lot of Aqueduct Racetrack for decades, will shut down after the holiday season because of construction of the new Resorts World New York casino, according to a statement released by Resorts World New York on Nov. 22.

“Having heard from the vendors that they wanted an answer quickly in order to make their future plans, Resorts World New York expedited its review process,” the statement read. “Since the Aqueduct facility will be a construction site for several months, the Division of the Lottery determined that the continued presence of the flea market would raise safety concerns, in addition to being incompatible with the future use of the property.

“As a result, we have informed the Aqueduct flea market operator, Plain & Fancy Shows, Inc., that the contract permitting the operation of a flea market at Aqueduct will not be renewed after the contract’s Dec. 21, 2010 expiration date, although the market will be allowed to operate through the holidays, until Dec. 31, 2010,” the statement continued.

Resorts World said any future retail activity on the site would fall under the purview of the Division of the Lottery, which would need to approve and regulate any further retail activity on the site.

Borough President Helen Marshall has been involved in finding an alternate site for the vendors, when their future was in doubt in recent months. Dan Andrews, spokesman for the borough president, said sites such as Belmont Racetrack and Citi Field were being considered, but in light of Monday’s statement, finding an alternate site, Andrews said, would be a “heavy lift.”

“We encourage [the vendors] to reach out to the Dept. of Parks and see if they can help locate a site,” he said.

Andrews said Marshall wanted the Division of the Lottery to explain its reasons in writing.