REMARKS
Council Member Shaun Abreu expresses support for 135th Street Rezoning proposal
0:04:56
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3 min
Council Member Shaun Abreu delivers a speech in support of the 135th Street Rezoning proposal, highlighting its potential to address housing challenges in his district. He emphasizes the project's benefits, including new residential units, affordable housing, and community amenities, while acknowledging and addressing community concerns.
- The project will bring 60 new residential units, with 15-18 designated as affordable housing.
- Abreu highlights the current underutilization of the site and the potential for revitalization.
- He acknowledges community input and mentions negotiated additional amenities, flood mitigation, and specific structural choices.
Shaun Abreu
0:04:56
Thank you, chair.
0:04:58
Today, I am voting in support of the 100 and 35th Street Resuming proposal, which represents a crucial opportunity to address the housing challenges that our city, especially my district faces.
0:05:09
District 7 ranked 34th citywide in affordable housing production from 2014 to 2023.
0:05:15
Every day, I hear from constituents about their struggles to find housing and remain in their neighborhoods.
0:05:22
I hear about impossibly higher rents and threats of eviction.
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We cannot solve our housing crisis without increasing housing production.
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The 135th Street project would be a positive step towards reversing the downturn in housing construction.
0:05:36
It will bring 60 new residential units to the district with 15 to 18 of those units designated as affordable under the city's mandatory inclusionary housing program.
0:05:47
For years, 701 West 135th Street has been woefully underused.
0:05:51
In a city where land is our most precious and limited resource, We have allowed a stretch of Upper Manhattan along the Hudson River to be abandoned.
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No businesses, no homes.
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Just trash, crumbling infrastructure, and the blight that comes along with it.
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The property owner has attempted for years to make better use of the space, and no New Yorker should tolerate a city council that insists on maintaining the status quo in this location.
0:06:17
By transforming this underused site We will not only provide much needed housing, but also revitalize the area with a mixed use development and community space that developer has committed to offering at reduced cost to a local nonprofit.
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In addition, the developer has committed to building a public bathroom.
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Maintained by building staff in a high traffic area used by cyclists and pedestrians along the river.
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The project will not obstruct park views and is no longer opposed by the Riverside Park Conservancy.
0:06:48
I have heard and I acknowledge the community members who asked questions and raised concerns about this proposal in good faith.
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It is due to this input that we were able to negotiate additional amenities, flood mitigation, and specific structural choices.
0:07:03
My office will engage in ongoing monitoring as the project moves forward to ensure it develops as expected.
0:07:09
While no project is perfect, we must recognize the reality we face.
0:07:14
My office is visited by dozens of residents every week who are desperately searching for housing.
0:07:20
Many are living in aging apartments with persistent housing cold violations, are severely rent burdened, or have outgrown their current space, but can't find affordable alternatives.
0:07:32
This project is a vital step toward addressing the demand for safe affordable housing.
0:07:38
I thank the many local organizations supporting this rezoning, including Harlem Pride, the West Harlem Group Assistance, West Side Federation for Senior Supportive Housing, Broadway Housing Communities, Community Life, Open Plans, and Open New York.
0:07:55
I also thank Borrow President Levine for his invaluable support and recommendations for this project.
0:08:00
Their support reflects the broad recognition of the importance of this project for our community's future.
0:08:07
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this project.
0:08:10
Thank you very much.
