PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Margo Margolis, Certified Artist
10:36:38
·
70 sec
Margo Margolis, a certified artist living in SoHo, testified against the discriminatory art fund fee imposed on SoHo and NoHo residents for commercial-to-residential conversions under section 1501 of the proposed zoning changes. She argued that this fee unfairly targets these neighborhoods and burdens long-time residents, many of whom are seniors on fixed incomes.
- Highlighted the irony that SoHo and NoHo residents, who pioneered adaptive reuse and joint live-work spaces, are now being penalized
- Called for equal treatment of all New Yorkers in the conversion process
- Urged the council not to support section 1501 unless the punitive tax is abolished
Margo Margolis
10:36:38
Sure.
10:36:39
I'm a certified artist living in a building in SoHo that was converted from commercial to joint live work orders for artists in 1976.
10:36:49
Residents of SoHo and NoHo are pioneers in adaptive reuse and joint live work.
10:36:54
We created the model that the city now wants to adopt under section 1501.
10:37:00
Ironically, all neighborhoods can convert from commercial to residential free of charge except for SoHo and NoHo.
10:37:08
Which must pay an exorbitant fee to when Art's fund to do so.
10:37:12
This is discriminatory tax that unjustifiably targets 2 neighborhoods and will cost the residents of SoHo and NoHo millions of dollars.
10:37:23
Many of these residents are the original pioneers who are now senior citizens and living on fixed income.
10:37:31
This is an impossible expense.
10:37:34
Please do not support this unless the city abolishes this punitive tax and treats all New Yorkers equally.
10:37:41
Unless it's fully inclusive, do not vote to support provisions in section 1501.
10:37:47
Thank you.
