PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Susan Zinder, Representative of B'nai Adath Kol Beth Yisrael
4:12:51
·
125 sec
Susan Zinder testifies in support of the City of Yes proposal on behalf of B'nai Adath Kol Beth Yisrael, a synagogue in Bedstuy. The synagogue was destroyed by fire in 2017 and has struggled to rebuild due to zoning restrictions and construction costs. Zinder argues that the City of Yes changes would enable the synagogue to attract a development partner and rebuild while providing affordable housing and community services.
- B'nai Adath Kol Beth Yisrael has a 54-year history of serving the community, including operating the only Kosher soup kitchen in Bedstuy.
- Current zoning (R6A) limits the size of a potential multi-use building, making it difficult to attract developer interest.
- The synagogue aims to use any rebuilding project to benefit both itself and the broader Bedstuy community.
Susan Zinder
4:12:51
I am Susan Zinder testifying in support of city of yes for my client, benadot covathisrel, located in Bedstine.
4:13:01
For 54 years, Penadot celebrated its Jewish faith, black heritage, and neighborhood community with a broad range of Jewish community services.
4:13:11
Including hosting the only Coachwork soup kitchen with in bed style available to all who needed food no matter their observance or faith.
4:13:21
But in 20 17, 2017 fire destroyed the synagogue, During the past 8 years, Benedot has been in neighborhood exile fighting to rebuild while discovering the impossibility of doing so without a developing partner due to the city's construction costs and zoning delays and other challenges.
4:13:42
Currently, Benadot slot is zone 6a with size limits that render a multi use building too small to enable fulfillment of Benadot's needs.
4:13:52
We know this because we issued an RFP for a partner developer, only to receive responses that our deal did not have enough square footage to generate interest for Benadoc to meaningfully rebuild its synagogue.
4:14:06
Attempting to zone the lot for Benadot alone under current zoning will only result in increased delays and costs.
4:14:15
We believe that changes embodied in city of yes will enable the Benadot to timely.
4:14:21
Attract a partner so it can use its real estate so it can use its real estate capital to benefit its future generations.
4:14:28
It rebuild its home and bring needed affordable homes and services into bedside, providing a vibrant community asset for its neighbors.
4:14:38
We understand the worry that city of yes may expand gentrification undermining existing communities.
4:14:45
The NIA DOT used to intends to use any multiuse rebuilding of its home to modernize and benefit, not only itself, but its bedstine neighbors as well.
4:14:55
Thank you.
