PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Kevin Elkins, Political Director of NYC & Vicinity District Council of Carpenters on 962-972 Franklin Avenue Rezoning
1:20:45
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142 sec
Kevin Elkins, representing the NYC & Vicinity District Council of Carpenters, testifies in support of the 962-972 Franklin Avenue rezoning project. He emphasizes the project's commitment to 100% union labor and its provision of affordable housing, while addressing concerns about shadows on the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
- Argues that the shadow analysis used by the garden is inconsistent, as the same analyst's work is accepted when working for the garden but questioned when working for others.
- Praises Council Member Hudson's efforts to balance competing interests and protect the garden while moving the project forward.
- Warns against "poison pill" suggestions like changing the building's slope from 15% to 10%, which he claims would reduce the project's financial viability and available units.
- Stresses the importance of workforce housing and the project's potential to be a "paradigm shifting development" for union-built affordable housing in NYC.
Kevin Elkins
1:20:45
Alright.
1:20:46
If you say so, I just wanna start off perform my get into my actual remarks.
1:20:50
You know, the the people who did the shadow analysis, Mister Tom I believe Thomas Tomasadi is actually used by the garden.
1:20:58
So his analysis is good when he's working for the garden, but when he's doing a similar analysis for somebody else, it seems that analysis is no longer correct.
1:21:05
So I just wanna point that out before I begin my remarks.
1:21:09
You know, in previous rezonings, the Carbonis Union has aggressively challenged developers to increase affordability and ensure that workers earn family sustaining wages.
1:21:17
However, This project stands apart for the right reasons.
1:21:20
It'll be a 100% union built and provide an exceptional amount of desperately needed affordable housing for New Yorkers.
1:21:26
Additionally, the concerns about shadows raised by somepayer faith actors have shifted from sincere to disingenuous.
1:21:33
You know, council member Hudson has done an extraordinary job in competing dealing with a a lot of competing interests to make this project protect and preserve the garden.
1:21:42
And I think what the project that was presented to CCP did that, I think we're now trying to keep that project alive.
1:21:48
And and protect the garden and protect it for future generations.
1:21:51
But we can't let the goal posts be continuously moved to the point that we are no longer building houses because a few people are bringing up poison pill suggestions.
1:22:02
And and, frankly, this 5%, excuse me, 10% versus 15% is a poison pill.
1:22:09
It's gonna reduce the amount of income.
1:22:12
It's gonna reduce the amount of units available for to subsidize the rest of the project.
1:22:17
And and that's critical.
1:22:18
It has to pencil out.
1:22:20
If it can't be built and financed, then no nobody wins here.
1:22:26
And maybe that's the goal.
1:22:27
You know, I saw a comment from somebody from the garden at the time saying they could live with luxury building.
1:22:32
I don't think we could live with that kind of development.
1:22:35
We need crew housing, and it's gonna be union built.
1:22:38
It's gonna be a paradigm shifting development that we desperately desperately need.
1:22:42
The council member has aggressively and rightfully and keyword here is rightfully for it to make sure there is little to no impact on the garden.
1:22:49
The project has finally reached that goal.
1:22:51
And even though it comes at the cost of union jobs, remember, 82% of it has been reduced.
1:22:56
That's my members not being able to work on the project as much.
1:22:59
So it's coming from us.
1:23:01
As much as that is happening, it's necessary to protect the garden.
1:23:04
We support this project and hope this rezoning will pass.
1:23:07
Thank you.
