Speaker 15
2:20:41
Thank you to the city council for giving the opportunity to give testimony and support of intro for.
2:20:45
My name is Susan Poovich.
2:20:47
I live in Redhook.
2:20:48
I own a restaurant in Redhook called the Redhook Lobster Pound.
2:20:50
I am also the chairperson of the Redhook Business Alliance.
2:20:53
I'M HERE TO URGE ALL MEMBERS TO PASS INTRO-four.
2:20:57
THE ARRIVAL OF THE MSC MURGAVIGlia IN APRIL WHICH CARRIES OVER 5600 PASSENGERS AND 25100 IN CREW BROUGHT hours of gridlock resulting in bus rerouting.
2:21:06
Ambulance is driving on the sidewalk, unsafe walking, and biking fictions, in addition to toxic fumes.
2:21:11
While the mayor boasts a huge economic aim for the city very little if any comes to the local neighborhood.
2:21:16
The lackluster experience of the cruise terminal without any mention of Redhook or local businesses, consists of one sign that says welcome to Brooklyn, Marty Markowitz.
2:21:26
This discourages any exploration beyond the port and discourages and there is zero connection of the local business community with the cruise ship travelers passengers that arrive.
2:21:36
Red Oak retail businesses and restaurants earn 80% of their revenue from May 1th through September when locals and tourists tend to take a day trip to Redhook.
2:21:44
This coincides with the heaviest cruising days.
2:21:46
The traffic congestion this past year during peak months resulted in overall neighborhood business decline.
2:21:51
My personal business could not open on several occasions because my employees could not access the neighborhood to come to work.
2:21:58
I can also personally report that only a handful of crew passengers have frequented my establishment And these guests were there because they were meeting friends and family that already lived in Brooklyn.
2:22:08
Our revenue was down by 20%.
2:22:10
This means the community lost jobs.
2:22:12
Our small business community is in a fragile, seasonally dependent neighborhood.
2:22:17
We cannot wait anymore for the EDC's long term timelines to connect and to give economic development from the cruise lines to the neighborhood.
2:22:26
We have already lost 1 landmark 15 year business.
2:22:31
The word is out in Brooklyn do not come to Redhook because you cannot get there.
2:22:36
Calls with the EDC this past summer revealed 0 traffic planning was done prior to this ban off of the ship docking I specifically asked members who sat in this council room for a copy of the traffic plan that was done before the MSC dot I have yet to receive a copy of this plan.
2:22:52
Unregulated CDC management of the port means these problems will continue to burden Redhook.
2:22:57
For years, the EDC has made promises that are unfulfilled.
2:23:00
In 2017, the EDC announced a $15,000,000 investment in the Redhook terminal The money was not invested, and in February, along with this new long term agreement, the EDC transferred nearly all the promised $15,000,000 to the Manhattan cruise port.
2:23:15
Intro for our water, our air is a step towards accountability and protection.
2:23:20
It will require all idling crews to ships to use the city's electric grid.
2:23:24
It will also require comprehensive traffic planning.
2:23:27
Intro 4 marks a pivotal moment in the quest for a responsible cruise into and city council input on EDC agreements.
2:23:35
Beyond Redhook, it's a beacon for a future where economic growth harmonizes with environmental and community health.
2:23:41
We encourage all council members to support the passage of the legislation.
