the Ark at Kennedy going broke; shippers won't use it

[charismaryllis]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/24/nyregion/ark-a-65-million-animal-terminal-at-kennedy-airport-sits-empty.html

The $65 million animal transit facility opened a year ago to great fanfare, as “the world’s only animal terminal and the first full-service quarantine facility” for the import and export of horses, pets, zoo animals and livestock. Built just yards from the runways, the idea was that animals could be deplaned and within minutes be enjoying the Ark’s climate-controlled environment and, if needed, the services of its veterinary clinic.

Instead, just before the new year, John J. Cuticelli Jr., the Ark’s owner, filed a $426 million lawsuit in State Supreme Court in Queens against his landlord, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the agency that oversees the airport and solicited the animal handling center.

Mr. Cuticelli says the Ark is incurring “massive operational losses” and is in imminent danger of shutting down.

[clanter]

here is a link to the court filing, reading it of course is one side but it does appear they have a legitimate reason

http://arkjfktest.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ARK-Development-PANYNJ-Complaint-1.2.18.pdf

[findeight]

Ah…possible shenanigans in the handling of cargo at JFK? Perhaps not spreading cash around to the " right people" oh…say it ain’t so…

Id look at the potential loss of revenue involved in shipping these critters to Newburgh instead of the much more animal friendly Ark for who is pulling the strings to keep that facility empty so the trucks are the only option. And look at any kickbacks to shippers or middle men that might be involved… if there is any proof of that. That would be business as usual on the docks and terminals where freight is transferred. And the supposed " oversight" by various levels of govt.

[JFJ]

Sorry but a lot of people pick up their own horses from Newburgh. Far easier (and cheaper) to get to then JFK. Tolls for trucks and trailers into the city are expensive never mind the traffic. Saying that it is only a couple hundred dollar price difference to stay at the ARK does make a difference to a lot of people. They did tear down the old vet port so that horses going out have to go to the ARK but that is just for a few hours.
Also I heard they were trying to do the CEM quarantine for mares but that there is no where to even hand walk. So I can’t see that happening.

[Pepsithehorse]

New news on The Ark. Now, apparently, starting next week, The Ark is forcing a processing fee of somewhere close to $1,000 for any horses coming in, even if headed to Newburgh after. Bit of a bummer.

[soloudinhere]

At least one of the complaints about the Ark is that it is not staffed with people who really know anything about horses, versus Newburgh which has been doing this forever. A lot of the major shipping companies make all the arrangements and they contributed to do what they always did - send horses to Newburgh.

the penalty fee is, if anything, going to contribute to a countersuit I would think.

[merrygoround]

@soloudinhere

At least one of the complaints about the Ark is that it is not staffed with people who really know anything about horses, versus Newburgh which has been doing this forever. A lot of the major shipping companies make all the arrangements and they contributed to do what they always did - send horses to Newburgh.

the penalty fee is, if anything, going to contribute to a countersuit I would think.

I suspect that that statement is far from factual. I see nor reason why there would not be people there on the staff with all the necessary horse knowledge.

I will agree that it may be a more difficult location to deal with for the average owner, but obviously the shippers using Newburgh seem to manage. And, most of the people shipping in and out of the airport are unlikely to be the “average” owner.