By Michael Bushnell
Northeast News
September 16, 2011

Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), a New York City development cooperative has closed on the sale of the old Hardesty Federal Complex.

AAFE closed on the property last week and was in town Friday to meet with area developers and city officials. City Council member Scott Wagner played a large role in the sale and noted that Northeast finally has some movement on mitigating the blight that exists on the property.

“We as a community have stared at this blight far too long,” Wagner said. “I’m excited that we finally have a partner that will make this a positive addition to the Historic Northeast economic development landscape.”

While the sale of the property has been finalized and AAFE has taken possession of the site, don’t look for radical changes in the appearance overnight. No firm plans have been discussed regarding possible uses for the 18-acre site.

AAFE is a New York City-based non-profit agency that was chartered over 30 years ago in the city’s Chinatown District. A statement on the organization’s website links to humble beginnings “when a handful of idealistic activists came together to speak out for the rights of Asian American and immigrant workers; AAFE has spent the last thirty years actively helping people to realize their dreams.”