Multi-million dollar JFK animal terminal lies virtually empty
The state-of-the-art animal handling facility at New York JFK Airport, which opened to great fanfare a year ago, is lying virtually dormant and is in danger of closing.
The $65 million animal transit facility called the Ark, is lying mostly empty and owner John J. Cuticelli Jr blames landlord the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
He filed a lawsuit against the Port Authority claiming ‘massive operational losses.’
The Ark says it was awarded ‘exclusive rights’ to serve as the airport’s quarantine services provider for animals coming to the airport from overseas.
Instead all animals are being shipped off to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s quarantine operation in Newburgh, N.Y., which is 90 miles from the airport.
"I watch them go by my door every day trucked up to Newburgh," Cuticelli told the New York Times.
"It makes no sense to me why the Port Authority, the U.S.D.A. and all the other agencies involved in the creation of this facility are not supporting its use," he said.
"I entered into a technically, legally binding contract with exclusivity. Otherwise, I never would have done it."
The U.S.D.A., said it ‘does not mandate use of any one import quarantine facility, airline or animal handling service. We support the use of all approved entities and services,’ according to agency spokeswoman Joelle Hayden.
Dr. Scarlette Gotwals, a veterinarian and director of flight operations for Horse America shipping agents said she was puzzled why the Ark was not being used, especially after such an expense to build it.
"This is exactly what we’ve been looking for. It’s a world-class facility. It’s an indoor, climate-controlled facility. In Newburgh, you’re using outdoor barns."
The lawsuit says the Port Authority later signed a competing contract with the U.S.D.A. facility in Newburgh as the Ark ‘does not provide quarantine services’ according to the then Port Authority director of Aviation.
The suit contends this is false or misinformed as providing quarantine services was part of the Ark’s contract from the outset.
Cuticelli said he is not sure whether the big issue is simply a bureaucratic nightmare with the Port Authority or whether he is stuck in the middle of a dispute between different government agencies.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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