PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Laura Jackson, Resident of East 66th Street
2:38:39
·
120 sec
Laura Jackson, a long-time resident of East 66th Street, expresses her opposition to Memorial Sloan Kettering's (MSK) proposed Pavilion project, arguing that it is unjustifiably large and out of scale with the neighborhood. She challenges MSK's interpretation of a CDC study and emphasizes the need for cancer prevention rather than expanded treatment facilities.
- Questions the necessity of the project, citing other cancer care institutions in the area
- Supports a lower profile structure as suggested by Community Board 8's resolution
- Advocates for a two-phased approach to development to better assess needs closer to 2050
Laura Jackson
2:38:39
Okay.
2:38:39
So my name is Laura Jackson.
2:38:41
I am on no call.
2:38:43
Sorry.
2:38:43
I'm getting a call.
2:38:45
I am a 32 year resident of East 66th Street and have been following MSK's proposals since the task force meetings with community board 8 began 17 months ago.
2:38:59
I remain unconvinced that this massive out of scale project has proven itself justifiable.
2:39:07
MSK's major premise throughout this process has been based on the findings of the CDC study from which MSK has cherry picked some data points and ignored the rest.
2:39:20
What's being ignored is the fact that the study concludes that there is an immediate need for an increased focus on cancer prevention, not early screening, cancer prevention.
2:39:33
The pavilion utterly fails to address the purpose of the study on which it is based.
2:39:41
I'd also like to emphasize that MSK is not the only cancer care institution in New York City.
2:39:48
There are dozens of hospitals in the Tri State area that treat cancer, including top rated hospitals on the upper east side such as Mount Sinai and New York Presbyterian.
2:40:00
The burden of treatment does not fall on MSK.
2:40:05
As for the building itself, I ask that the city council hold MSK to the second condition outlined in CB8's resolution that reads a design that meets the needs of MSK to care for the projected increase in cancer patients in a lower profile structure than currently proposed.
2:40:26
That said, I fully support the idea of a 2 faced approach for this development so that actual needs can be assessed closer to 2050.
2:40:38
Thank you for your consideration.