Our own neighborhood boater and activist gets his name in the pro-development Sun today. Well done Eric!

Unlike community leaders in other fast-changing neighborhoods, Mr. Baard welcomes towers, like the new 15-story office building by Citigroup, and three new condo complexes, the highest rising to 20 stories, that are on the way. "They are efficient in terms of land use and energy use," he said.

With the pace of Long Island City's growth, it would be difficult for Mr. Baard effectively to oppose the new buildings. The local City Council member, Eric Gioia, estimates that 10,000 new housing units will be created in the Queens neighborhood in the next five years.

Activist Shapes Renaissance in Long Island City - January 25, 2007 - The New York Sun