TESTIMONY
Khaleel Anderson on Transparency and Compliance Issues in the JFK Redevelopment Process
1:57:33
·
138 sec
Khaleel Anderson, State Assembly Member, addresses transparency and compliance issues in the JFK Airport redevelopment process.
- Anderson criticizes the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for its lack of transparency in the JFK redevelopment project, particularly regarding Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) and Local Business Enterprises (LBE) numbers, and access to employment and contracting opportunities.
- Raises concerns about a lease extension authorized by an unnamed entity and the lack of information on compliance and status of community benefits agreements tied to the extension.
- Expresses hope that the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will provide needed answers or suggests working with other city or state agencies to obtain necessary information.
- Commends the effort of the port authorities in amending the redevelopment program but notes their failure to meet goals.
Khaleel Anderson
1:57:33
Thank you so much.
1:57:33
Thank you to chair Ferrias, as well as Chairbrooke's powers for hosting this hearing today.
1:57:41
I'm really grateful that as the state assembly member representing the entirety of JFK Airport and the ancillary portions of the airport that lie in our communities, to testify today my experience in working within the JFK redevelopment process.
1:57:58
My concern just as the chair had conveyed as well as some of the other members have conveyed is transparency.
1:58:06
And the reality is that the port authority of New York and New Jersey has not been trans parent throughout the entirety of the JFK redevelopment project.
1:58:15
Whether it is transparency around MWDE numbers, whether it's transparency on LBE numbers, whether it's transparency about access to employment opportunities, and contracting opportunities, there are some concerns about that level of transparency.
1:58:34
That's number 1.
1:58:35
The second thing is there are concerns about the lease extension.
1:58:39
There was a lease extension authorized by the and so that lease extension, which EDC was not able to answer questions about the extension or the current status of compliance with the lease.
1:58:54
Today, they were not able to testify and answer that question.
1:58:57
These are concerns because we're about transparency, there is a community benefits agreement that is tied to that lease extension, that 10 year lease extension, and we don't have an accurate reporting or reporting on where the status of those programs named in the community benefits agreement on.
1:59:17
So these are some of the concerns.
1:59:19
I know that the port authorities are actively working through the redevelopment program that they offer to make some amendments, but they are not reaching or meeting the goals.
1:59:31
Of making those amendments.
1:59:32
And these are some of the concerns that we have.
1:59:34
Again, I'm grateful to the 2 chairs for having this joint hearing.
1:59:38
To discuss, and it is my hope that EDC can come back with some answers.
1:59:42
Otherwise, it can be within our discretion to work with other city and or state agencies to get us the answers that we need.