TESTIMONY
Testimony by Hunter Walker on Stellar Management's Zoning Variance Application for 341 10th Street
1:46:33
·
3 min
Hunter Walker, a lifelong Brooklynite, urges the subcommittee to reject Stellar Management's application for a zoning variance on his block. He criticizes the company's proposal, citing concerns about affordable housing and misrepresentation of facts. Additional points include:
- Walker disputes Stellar's claims about the number of affordable units and their affordability levels.
- He expresses concern about Stellar's track record with affordable housing requirements.
- Walker criticizes Stellar's characterization of the current site conditions and their proposed improvements.
Hunter Walker
1:46:33
Excellent.
1:46:34
To the esteemed members of the sub committee, my name is Hunter Walker.
1:46:38
I'm a lifelong Brooklynite who grew up on 10th Street starting in the eighties and lives there today.
1:46:43
I've come before you to urge you to reject stellar management's application for zoning variance on my block.
1:46:48
There are so many reasons to say no to stellar, and they've made so many false statements, 2 minutes barely covers it.
1:46:53
I'm gonna do my best.
1:46:54
Our city is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis.
1:46:57
Stellar has been a major enemy of affordable housing.
1:47:00
Deleted versions of the company's website boast about the fact that stellar quote built its track record on repositioning of middle income housing.
1:47:08
How has that repositioning of affordable housing played out?
1:47:12
Well, in 2019, a housing court judge found that stellar falsely inflated renovation costs to overcharge tenants and destabilize affordable units.
1:47:20
That business model has involved turning former Mitchellama buildings into high priced rentals.
1:47:24
That includes 341 Tenth Street.
1:47:27
Those rents you are also shocked to see are being charged by stellar right now.
1:47:31
This business model has pushed many friends and neighbors I grew up with.
1:47:35
As they've sought a variance to build 2 new towers next to that building, Stellar created a website 34110.com, that purports to dispel quote unquote myths about this project.
1:47:45
In reality, the site is filled with the kind of false claims that stellar is known for.
1:47:49
I was gratified counselwoman Avila has raised questions about the levels of affordability, but I have questions about the more basic math here.
1:47:57
Stellar site claims, quote, 60% of all units on the property will be affordable.
1:48:02
It variously promises both a 106 2277 affordable apartments, of which, quote unquote, 64 to 90 oh, the the assessment they actually filed says it's just 64 to 96.
1:48:14
The math is simple.
1:48:15
64 to 96 out of 319 is about 20 to 30%.
1:48:20
Part of the reason that we don't know how affordable this will actually be is that stellar admits in their own writing that they have not submitted a final plan here.
1:48:28
We need a final plan with guaranteed affordability because this company has always done what they can to sneak out of affordable housing requirements.
1:48:36
I also just wanna point out that, you know, what I'm gonna say
Tiffany Cabán
1:48:39
is that so much your time has expired.
Kevin Riley
1:48:44
You can finish up.
1:48:45
Go ahead on 2.
Hunter Walker
1:48:47
Okay.
1:48:47
Perfect.
1:48:48
You know, they've highlighted the poor conditions at the site as a reason.
1:48:52
For having this new development.
1:48:54
They've described, quote unquote, uninviting walls and underutilized space.
1:48:59
I am a disparaged to upset to see my block disparaged like that.
1:49:03
But b, I'm upset that, you know, stellar is is claiming that their own mismanagement is what needs improvement.
1:49:13
As some folks have pointed out, this quote unquote, new park THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BUILD.
Kevin Riley
1:49:17
Reporter:
Hunter Walker
1:49:19
THEY'RE ACTUALLY LOCKED AWAY FROM THE RESIDENTS.
1:49:22
AS THE COUNCIL WOMAN SAID, STELLAR should have been treating their tenants well from the beginning.
1:49:28
And on that note, I just want to say it's clear that 5th Avenue Committee is their preferred partner for a a community benefits agreement.
1:49:36
The leadership of 5th Avenue Committee was here today with Stellar.
1:49:39
They've backed this proposal from day 1.
1:49:41
This is an organization with 1,000,000 in corporate Thank
Kevin Riley
1:49:43
you, Oscar.
Hunter Walker
1:49:44
Thank you.
1:49:45
Okay.
1:49:45
Because I have text from an email showing 5th Avenue Committee threatening the 341 President Trump.
