TESTIMONY
Testimony by Brian McGinn of the 34th Street Partnership: Opposing T75 and T74
1:32:06
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171 sec
Brian McGinn, representing the 34th Street Partnership, outlines his opposition to bills T75 and T74 during the City Council hearing.
McGinn emphasizes the potential safety risks these bills pose to pedestrians by allowing street vendors to operate closer to the curb and obstruct clear paths. He highlights the negative impact of such legislation on pedestrian flow and safety, citing incidents near Herald Square and Bryant Park, and urges the council to reconsider the bills.
Speaker 28
1:32:06
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen of the council.
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My name is Brian McGinn, I sit here before you on behalf of the 34th Street Partnership in O'Brien Paul Corporation, 2 business improvement districts in Midtown to express my view in opposition to T75 and T74.
1:32:20
The council must recognize that this bill package fails to prioritize the safety of pedestrians on the sidewalks and the streets in our city.
1:32:28
As to as to 75, 1st and foremost, the sidewalk belongs to the pedestrians.
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In the interest of pedestrian safety, it is not viable to consider giving Street vendors the clear and defined permission as outlined in 75 to obstruct the clear path.
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By allowing vendors to operate as close to 2 feet from the curb or up against an obstruction.
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If passed, this bill will pose a significant safety threat to the regular flow of pedestrian traffic.
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Codifying these permissions will result in a gross misuse of the sidewalk causing a multitude of safety concerns.
1:33:01
In recent months, both in Herald Square and Bryant Park, we saw vendors blocking sidewalks and crosswalks causing significant crowding and even resulting in pedestrian interest injuries.
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Furthermore, our numerous occasions This went to Macy's at Herald Square has come to us for assistance with cuts in the clear path obstructing pedestrian flow and even having smoke going into the front door of Macy's on 35th Street.
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While the bill aims to get vendors out of the street by bringing them further onto the sidewalk, we had a 34th Street Partnership And Brian Paul Corporation have never seen a vendor standing in the street doing business.
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The current leg legislation manning mandating that vendors about the curb as loosely follow as it is.
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Alarming street vendors to encroach further on the sidewalk space will significantly negatively have safety consequences for pedestrians, for our security, our sanitation staff, and even motor vehicles and cyclists that's and that's being traffic will be pushed into the street traffic will be pushed into the street.
1:34:05
As to intro, 0074, is imperative to refrain from amending McAfee.
Speaker 1
1:34:12
Yes.
1:34:12
But very quickly, because we have many speakers today.
1:34:15
Thank
Speaker 28
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you.
1:34:15
Thank you.
1:34:17
From we're we're famed for amending an administrative call in reference to mister municipal panel, please, for vendors.
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It is only when vendors are given a criminal summons for repeated violations of the law that they were held accountable.
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Looking at similar legislation passed in Albany, it is evident that when we take a white punitive consequence for unlawful behavior from street vendors.
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The result will be a significant decline.
Speaker 1
1:34:38
It's just ask you to wrap up and you can submit your written testimony, which we will read.
Speaker 28
1:34:42
It's amazing.
1:34:43
Like everybody else speak to them.
Speaker 1
1:34:44
No.
1:34:44
No.
1:34:44
We didn't.
1:34:45
We were very fair.
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We let people wrap up, and then Oh.
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But I'm asking
Speaker 28
1:34:48
I have to keep opposition and to intro 75 74 and s accounts.
1:34:52
To reconsider these bills.
1:34:53
Thank you.
Speaker 1
1:34:54
Thank you.
1:34:56
Okay.
Speaker 27
1:34:57
Thanks.