Q&A
Suggestion to withdraw the 14 Wall Street lease application
0:51:10
·
102 sec
Council Member Marte suggests that DCAS should withdraw the 14 Wall Street lease application due to the ongoing questions and scrutiny. Commissioner Molina maintains confidence in the deal and declines to withdraw the application.
- Marte emphasizes that DCAS has the power to withdraw the application
- The council member suggests reviewing the deal before resubmitting it to the city council
- Commissioner Molina remains confident that the deal is the best for New York taxpayers, saving over $31 million
- Molina acknowledges the suggestion but does not commit to withdrawing the application
Christopher Marte
0:51:10
And my final question, Decast has the power to withdraw this application.
0:51:14
Right?
0:51:15
And so wouldn't you think with all the questionings, all the press that's been coming out about this transaction that you would withdraw it.
0:51:23
Take a second look, make sure that all the t's are crossed and the i's are dotted before trying to move forward with this application.
0:51:32
No.
0:51:33
So you're fully confident on the process, fully confident on all the numbers that this was the best deal for New Yorkers.
Louis Molina
0:51:41
As I sit here today, this was the best deal for New Yorkers that save New York taxpayers over $31,000,000.
Christopher Marte
0:51:50
I know you've been on the job for just 90 days or so.
0:51:53
Mhmm.
0:51:55
But maybe when you were commissioner DOC, you ever gone through an RFP process where the application was given to the council and you reconsidered and withdrew that application?
Louis Molina
0:52:09
I've been involved with a number of RFPs across different jurisdictions in in my in my time time leading or co leading agencies.
0:52:19
It's possible that that may have happened, but a a a moment doesn't come to mind.
Christopher Marte
0:52:24
Okay.
0:52:24
I just wanna say it's unprecedented that not to do that.
0:52:27
You can withdraw at any time.
0:52:29
I'd been involved with Decast site depositions where it was withdrawn at the last moment when it was within the council.
0:52:37
So I highly suggest probably for the best of all New Yorkers and probably for the best of the reputation and trust to decast that you withdraw this application, review everything before resubmitting it to the city council.
Louis Molina
0:52:51
Thank you for your suggestion.
Christopher Marte
0:52:52
Thank you.
Lincoln Restler
0:52:53
I just wanna thank Casimir Vermante for his sharp line of questioning and, you know, note you testified today, commissioner, that you were not aware of the donations that were made, the $15,000 made to the legal defense fund to the major league defense fund.