PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ruben Diaz Junior, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Montefiore Medical Center
2:58:45
·
4 min
Ruben Diaz Junior, representing Montefiore Medical Center, expresses strong support for the Bronx Metro North Area Study, particularly emphasizing the potential for creating a "wellness village" and biotech hub in Morris Park. He outlines Montefiore's vision for expanding healthcare services, research capabilities, and economic opportunities in the area.
- Highlights the importance of upzoning near the new Morris Park Metro North Station to spur mixed-use development
- Discusses plans for a new high-acuity hospital pavilion and the need for zoning adjustments to accommodate large-scale facility expansion
- Emphasizes the potential for creating educational and career pipelines for Bronx residents, including a STEAM center in partnership with the Department of Education
Ruben Diaz Junior
2:58:45
How are you, Mister Chairman.
2:58:47
Good afternoon, Chairman Riley.
2:58:49
Councilwoman, my councilwoman, Amanda Fadyaz, and council member, Maserato, and, of course, all of the members of the of the committee.
2:58:57
My name is Ruben Diaz Junior.
2:58:59
I'm a senior vice president of of strategic initiatives for Mont Belvieu Medical Center, and I'm here today in support of the Bronx Metro North Area Study.
2:59:09
With nearly 8, 000, 000 patient interactions a year and over 35, 000 employees, Montafuel Health System is the largest healthcare network in the Bronx.
2:59:18
Westchester, and the Hudson Valley.
2:59:21
Moreover, Montafield continues to be a prominent leader in biomedical research, and as such, We have an opportunity to expand that where it enhances better health care and economic opportunities for the neighborhood.
2:59:35
We have a prime opportunity to build a what I call a wellness village, a life sciences and biotech hub that would be a model and example for the nation.
2:59:46
To achieve this, we must ask ourselves.
2:59:49
How do we create an area that is conducive to attracting the best and brightest to the neighborhood and our campus?
2:59:56
Our vision is to have a new hospital environment where technology meets hospitality for our patients and employees.
3:00:03
We envision an environment that promotes both health and healing.
3:00:08
In addition, through a $1, 000, 000, 000 donation from Doctor.
3:00:12
Ruth Godesman the largest gift made to any medical school in the country except the other day we heard an announcement from Bloomberg.
3:00:20
Einstein Medical School will provide free tuition in perpetuity, which will attract students with from a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences regardless of socioeconomic status.
3:00:32
In turn, it is critical for Montifuel that the public investment in in Morris Park be inclusive, thoughtful, and sustainable.
3:00:40
This includes improvements to the public realm, the construction of affordable housing, retail and office space, and recreational opportunities for both residents and visitors.
3:00:51
This will be a hub, a transit hub in a much needed public transportation desert.
3:00:56
The proposed station will create easy access between Connecticut, Westchester, Manhattan, opening economic opportunities for the region at large with jobs how jobs housing, office space, and economic development for the entire area.
3:01:11
We amounted to your strongly support up zoning the adjacent area to the New Morris Park Metro North Station.
3:01:19
These proposed zoning changes are intended to spur growth and services throughout mixed use development near the new station.
3:01:28
In short, the In short term, Montefuro's proposed new high acuity hospital pavilion is expected to require an expansion of the existing large scale facility and development related land use actions.
3:01:42
It has recently come to our attention at the sea force that Dash 3 zoning district proposed by the Morris Park Metro North Station area plan creates an inconsistency with the zoning resolutions definition of large scale.
3:01:55
Strategically, we look to provide we look at the East campus for the to provide a a new high acuity specialized Tower.
3:02:06
These facilities will be will work in concert with I'm sorry.
3:02:10
We'll work in concert to best capitalize on our partnerships with researchers and practitioners, but we will not stop there.
3:02:18
We wanna create a pipeline for our Bronx students and residents through a steam Center working with the DOE and the Barr president.
3:02:25
She mentioned this earlier with future generations so that tomorrow we can benefit from research facilities and life sciences on our campus.
3:02:33
We, in conclusion, we encourage the development of a sustainable community that benefits all Bronx residents.
3:02:40
We believe that the metro no station plan coupled with our new facilities will achieve this goal.
3:02:46
So on behalf of our patients, faculty, medical students and neighbors who have provided significant input into this project's vision, we encourage you to vote in favor of the Morris Park Metro North plan, area plan.
3:03:01
And for that, we thank you.
3:03:02
We will submit or I will submit a more detailed testimony as we have done to the planning commission.
3:03:10
And if you have any questions, I'm here to answer them as best I can.
Kevin C. Riley
3:03:14
Thank you.
