The powerful lobbying firm Parkside Group represents the developers of Willets Point. It also has provided campaign advice to State Sen. Jose Peralta, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz, State Sen. Toby Stavisky and Congressman Joe Crowley—all of whom have some direct or indirect influence over whether the project will go forward. Peralta alone opposes it.
Some of the top firms advising candidates for state and local office also lobby those offices for clients like corporations and unions. Some believe the potential conflict demands reform.
And more might be closing as their owners struggle to pay back loans they had to take out to repair damage from the flood.
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