PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ernie Smith, Employee of Embroidery Company in the Garment District
9:22:35
·
89 sec
Ernie Smith, an employee of a small embroidery company in the Garment District, expressed concerns about zoning changes and the definition of affordable housing. He shared his company's experience of being displaced twice due to zoning changes and the influx of hotels in manufacturing districts.
- Smith criticized the city's definition of affordable housing, stating that it doesn't serve people making around $50,000 a year
- He called for more specificity in the term "affordable housing" and expressed skepticism about city agencies' use of the term
- Smith advocated for mixed-use zoning in the Garment District that would allow for residential and small businesses in the same building
Ernie Smith
9:22:35
Good evening.
9:22:35
My name is Erdie Smith, and I work for a small embroidery company in the garment district.
9:22:41
25 years ago, we were forced out of Manhattan by the dotcom craze, And 2 years ago, we were forced out of long out in the city by changes to zoning.
9:22:52
It became mixed use and within moments of being determined as mixed use, 31 hotels moved into our manufacturing district.
9:23:02
While I very much would like to see mixed use in the garment district for residential and small businesses, in the lower floors of the same building.
9:23:14
I have learned through the meetings that I've had in Long Island City 10 years ago, the treasure of the city had a meeting, a business meeting that I attended, and he said that They were working on affordable housing.
9:23:28
When asked what affordable housing was, he said it's a 120,000 and up.
9:23:33
We asked what what about those people who don't make a 120,000?
9:23:36
He said, well, that's workforce housing, and we don't consider that important right now.
9:23:41
When I hear the word, affordable housing from a city agency, I'm suspect.
9:23:46
I don't believe it is servicing those people who are today making 50,000.
9:23:53
It is it is a sham, and I am unhappy about that.
9:23:56
And would like to see it be more specific in what that word means.
9:24:02
Thank you very much for letting me share.
