REMARKS
Council Member Restler discusses the 500 Kent project and acknowledges contributors
0:29:38
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148 sec
Council Member Lincoln Restler details the negotiation process and outcome of the 500 Kent project in South Williamsburg. He expresses satisfaction with the project's potential for job creation and its role in connecting the area to the Navy Yard.
- The project faced initial concerns, particularly regarding its potential use as a last-mile facility, which were successfully addressed.
- Restler acknowledges various individuals and organizations that contributed to both the 500 Kent and 712 Myrtle projects.
- The council member expresses confidence in the protections in place to ensure the 500 Kent project will be developed as promised.
Lincoln Restler
0:29:38
And the other project 500 can is one that we have painstakingly negotiated since before I was even on the city council.
0:29:45
The development team approached me when I was a council member elect, and I wasn't ever sure that we were gonna get this project done.
0:29:55
There were some very, I think, big open concerns.
0:29:58
My number one concern was that this project could that there's only that we're approving could allow for a last mile facility.
0:30:06
But thanks to I think a development team, an applicant team that was willing to work with us creatively, care deeply about partnering with the community.
0:30:18
We were able to develop a project where we have total confidence that this will never ever be a last mile facility.
0:30:26
And I'm I'm optimistic that we're gonna create some great jobs and a great project in the hardest athlete to reconnect to the Navy Yard.
0:30:33
I really wanna thank everybody who's been a part of both of these projects at 712 Myrtle Rava Y Blittenstein and Missus Blittenstein have been a pleasure to work with 500 can.
0:30:43
I really wanna thank the council team, especially William Bedal, who's not here today, but was instrumental in us coming up with a creative solution to make this happen.
0:30:54
Lena from Catalentius, Brian from Catalentius have both been tremendous partners and guides.
0:31:00
My staff, Molly Haley, in particular, has been really helpful.
0:31:03
I wanna thank Ashley Thompson from Capellino who is always an honest broker and a helpful partner in navigating projects in our district.
0:31:13
And And I wanna lastly, but perhaps most importantly, thank UJO and Rabbi Niederman, who developed a joint application with the applicant partner that really gave me confidence that this was a project that would be for the betterment of my community.
0:31:29
And, you know, we take a bit of a leap of faith as council members in approving land use changes that what applicants tell us are what they will actually do.
0:31:39
And in this instance, I think we have real protections to have confidence that the 500 Kent project is going to be what we have been told.
0:31:48
And so I really just want to thank everybody for their support and guidance on both the lease land use actions.
0:31:55
I'm really happy to hear happy that we're continuing to build more housing and create more economic opportunity in District 33.
0:32:03
It's a good day for our community.
0:32:05
So thank you so much.