Palisades plans push CB 8 to seek LG boycott

Now is the winter of Riverdale’s discontent.

One controversial development after another — from a complicated path along the Hudson River to a plethora of projects associated with the Croton Filtration Plant — has roused Riverdalians’ wrath this stormy season.

On Tuesday night, Community Board (CB) 8 was expected to launch its latest effort to fight perceived threats to Riverdale’s turf — or, in the latest case, its scenic views.

CB 8’s Parks and Recreation Chairman Bob Bender planned to propose a boycott of LG Electronics USA’s consumer products in response to the company’s plans to build an eight-story headquarters atop the Palisades in Englewood Cliffs, N.J. The community board, which previously passed resolutions opposing the headquarters, was expected to endorse the boycott, but the vote took place after The Press went to print.

“This is the only course open to the community because LG has refused any reasonable attempt to fit the same square footage, to hire the same amount of people and have the same economic impact in a place that doesn’t impact the Palisades,” CB 8 Chairman Robert Fanuzzi said.

While critics say LG’s new North American headquarters will ruin views of the Palisades and pave the way for more structures to be built along the panoramic cliffs, the conglomerate says it has taken pains to make the headquarters blend in with its surroundings.

A spokesperson said the headquarters will have a glass structure that reflects the sky and construction will include the planting of 700 native trees. LG also plans to seek LEED platinum certification, a designation for environmentally friendly buildings.

Demolition is underway at the site of the headquarters — which are roughly parallel with Manhattan’s Cloisters and a half-mile back from the New Jersey side of the Hudson River — with completion of the 27-acre site expected in 2017.

Tight focus

Mr. Fanuzzi said the boycott will target consumer goods and will not ask businesses to stop buying LG products.

Paul Elston, head of one of the groups opposed to the LG headquarters, embraced the boycott.