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Donald Trump Wrote to Parks Commissioner Telling Him to Fix His Golf Course

By James Fanelli | November 30, 2015 7:18am
 Donald Trump wrote a letter to Parks Department Commissioner Mitchell Silver complaining about the shoddy workmanship of the contractor at Ferry Point, the public golf course his firm manages.
Donald Trump wrote a letter to Parks Department Commissioner Mitchell Silver complaining about the shoddy workmanship of the contractor at Ferry Point, the public golf course his firm manages.
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Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

THROGS NECK — Just months before his long-awaited $230 million golf course was scheduled to open in the Bronx, Donald Trump wrote a letter to the Parks Department commissioner teeing off on the shoddy work of the contractor who built the links and demanding the city make fixes.  

In the missive, the GOP presidential candidate pats himself on the back for stepping in to straighten out the long-stalled and overbudget city project at Ferry Point Park while urging the commissioner to act swiftly in  addressing the course's problems.

“With the course scheduled to open to the public this coming spring, it is very important that we quickly resolve the terrible construction issues left behind by [contractor LAWS Construction’s] poor workmanship,” Trump wrote in the Oct. 27, 2014, letter. 

 Donald Trump wrote a letter to Parks Department Commissioner Mitchell Silver complaining about the shoddy workmanship of the contractor.
Donald Trump wrote a letter to Parks Department Commissioner Mitchell Silver complaining about the shoddy workmanship of the contractor.
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“Frankly, if we had not gotten involved the course would not have been finished for many years and, in fact, this important city project might well have had to be abandoned,” he added. “Ideally and importantly, we will need to get the above mentioned work completed in order for us to have a truly grand opening.”

DNAinfo New York obtained a copy of the letter through a Freedom of Information Law request. In it Trump itemized a list of problems with the course’s cart paths, irrigation system, driving-range lighting and tee surfaces, parking lot pavement and security fences.

“All of these conditions are the direct result of LAWS’ inferior performance,” he wrote.

“As such, it should come as no surprise that we continue to recommend that the city withhold any further payment to LAWS and pursue all appropriate action against LAWS (legal or otherwise) for its substandard work, lengthy delays (it took longer to build this course than any other in the history of golf), hold-ups and cost overruns.”

Trump also complained about the road leading to the course being “highly dilapidated and in horrendous shape” and would not be “what one would expect from a golf course looking to host a U.S. Open or PGA Championship — tournaments which would bring tens of millions of dollars to the city’s coffers.”

"The Apprentice" star's long-winded letter worked.

Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver wrote back on Nov. 26, 2014, assuring Trump that the course was of the highest caliber and promising to make a few fixes.

“While we are aware of some concerns with certain of the accessory elements of the facility, there is no doubt the Jack Nicklaus designed course as constructed and delivered to your team to manage and operate is the highest quality and clearly capable of hosting major tournaments,” Silver wrote.

The Parks Department would repave and paint a supplemental parking lot, Silver wrote. The agency was also discussing with a contractor whether driving range matting was under warranty.

Silver also told Trump that any work the Trump Organization did to improve the course’s drainage, supplemental lighting or the cart path would be credited toward its capital reserve fund.

As part of the Trump contract, his firm is required to spend $10 million in the first five years to build a clubhouse and a cart storage barn. After the first five years, the firm must set aside 3 percent of gross receipts to pay for capital improvements on the course and related facilities.

“We look forward to working with you and your team to further develop and enhance the course and potentially the surrounding areas,” Silver said.

The Ferry Point course, built on a landfill in Throgs Neck, opened in April after 15 years of delays due to environmental clean-ups and construction cost overruns.

The Parks Department chose the Trump Organization to run the course in 2010. But the agency has been criticized over the deal because of the favorable concessions Trump received.

The contract allows Trump to close the course for private events up to 20 percent of the golfing season. His firm also doesn’t have to pay concession fees to the city for the first four years of operations.

Meanwhile, the price of a round of golf at Ferry Point is triple the cost of other city courses.

Trump first met Silver in July 2014, when they did a walk-through of Ferry Point. During the meeting, Trump pointed out deficiencies in LAWS Construction’s work.

“It was a great honor to meet with you and your staff at what we hope to make one of the greatest golfing experiences anywhere in the world!” Trump wrote in a July 22, 2014, letter to Silver following up on the visit.

As a personal touch, Trump crossed out “Dear Commissioner Silver” in the letter and wrote “Mitchell” with a black marker. He also stated he “had no doubt” Silver would do a “fantastic job” as the Parks commissioner.

LAWS Construction had a nearly $122 million contract with the Parks Department to build the course.

The Parks Department said LAWS substantially completed work on the course in June 2014. But it completed a punch list of work between Sept. 24, 2014 and Oct. 3, 2014 — three weeks before Trump’s letter.

The agency said it’s currently addressing “administrative items to close out the contract” with LAWS.

LAWS did not respond to a request for comment.  

Trump tangled with Mayor Bill de Blasio this summer after he made offensive comments about Mexicans who immigrate to the United States. On July 2 de Blasio said the city was reviewing Trump's contracts after the remarks.

A day later Trump wrote a letter to Silver complaining about the review, saying de Blasio's decision infringed on his First Amendment rights.

A spokesman for Trump did not respond to a request for comment.