PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Naomi Bushman, NoHo Resident
1:02:07
·
105 sec
Naomi Bushman, a NoHo resident, testifies against the discriminatory arts fund fee in section 1501 of the City of Yes Plan, arguing it unfairly penalizes SoHo and NoHo residents while allowing free conversions elsewhere in the city. She emphasizes the inequity of this policy and its potential negative impact on long-term residents.
- Bushman highlights the contributions of artists to the neighborhood's safety and property values.
- She points out the irony of being fined after complying with all residential building requirements since 1981.
- The testimony compares the high property taxes paid by residents to the low taxes paid by large property owners like NYU.
Naomi Bushman
1:02:07
I'm a NoHo resident with a very specific modification to city of yes.
1:02:13
I urge you to reject the discriminatory arts fund fee that is in section 1501 of the city of Yes Plan.
1:02:22
It gravely penalizes SoHo And NoHo residents with an enormous fee while allowing the conversion of properties from commercial to residential in other parts of the city without a fee.
1:02:36
And what grounds do you unfairly single out my neighborhood?
1:02:40
It is not equitable.
1:02:42
Orders have made SoHo and NoHo more livable safer for NYU students and increase the value of neighboring property owners.
1:02:51
How ironic that we should be fined have difficulty selling our homes when we need to retire and live under this threat.
1:02:59
Our NYU neighbor A vast property owner pays a pittance of real estate taxes, while my co ops tax bill is the highest expense and increases every year.
1:03:12
My building received a certificate of occupancy as joint living working in 1981.
1:03:19
There were no benefits from joint living working.
1:03:22
We complied with all the requirements and inspections of a residential building.
1:03:28
The imposition of a fine now implies that we had some benefit from our joint living working status and that we should pay back the favor.
1:03:39
In fact, nothing was made easier for us.
1:03:42
We met all the standards of that time.
1:03:44
And continue to maintain safe buildings, which have been at our homes for decades.
1:03:51
Thank you.
