PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ronnie Wolf, Glass Artist from SoHo/NoHo
0:55:31
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77 sec
Ronnie Wolf, a glass artist from SoHo/NoHo, testifies against the City of Yes plan, specifically opposing provisions in section 1501 that impose a discriminatory arts fund fee on SoHo and NoHo residents for converting buildings from commercial to residential use. Wolf argues this fee unfairly targets artists and seniors in these neighborhoods while removing financial barriers for commercial building owners elsewhere.
- The fee would cost Wolf's family over a quarter of a million dollars
- Wolf purchased a loft specifically because it was a joint live-work quarters for artists
- Wolf implores council members to oppose the plan unless it treats all New Yorkers equally by removing the arts fund fee
Ronnie Wolf
0:55:31
Hello.
0:55:32
Please reject the city of yes plan unless provisions in section 1501 against SoHo and NoHo residents are removed.
0:55:40
These provisions impose a discriminatory tax of 1,000,000 of dollars on us and does not make housing more affordable.
0:55:48
DCP has targeted solely the residents of SoHo and NoHo and will not allow them to convert their buildings from commercial to residential unless they pay an arts fund fee.
0:55:58
My name is Ronnie Wolf.
0:56:00
As a glass artist, we purchased our loft specifically because it is a joint live work quarters for artists.
0:56:07
Which meant I could legally work and raise our family here.
0:56:11
This fee equates to over a quarter of a $1,000,000 to my family alone.
0:56:16
It's audacious of DCP to force these neighborhoods filled with artists and seniors to fund art nonprofits in order to convert while they are removing financial barriers for commercial building owners across the five boroughs to make conversions less expensive.
0:56:34
Council members, I implore you to oppose this plan unless it treats all New Yorkers equally by removing this unjustifiable arts fund fee.
0:56:45
Thank you, the Wolf Leon family.
