PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Cesar Godwall on NYCHA RAD/PACT Project at Elliott Chelsea Houses
2:29:15
·
3 min
Cesar Godwall, a resident of Elliott Chelsea Houses, testified against the proposed RAD/PACT project, expressing concerns about potential displacement and injustices faced by NYCHA residents. He criticized the project as serving developers' interests rather than residents' needs, and highlighted issues with surveys, community engagement, and lead paint inspections.
- Godwall accused Related Companies and CEO Steve Ross of exploiting the community through the RAD/PACT project.
- He alleged manipulation of resident voices by Jared Nadler, Mayor Adams, and certain tenant association leaders.
- Godwall reported harassment of residents trying to organize against the project, including removal of flyers and vandalism.
- He raised concerns about contractor fraud regarding lead paint inspections in his building.
Cesar Godwall
2:29:15
Hello, Mister Banks.
2:29:16
How are you today?
Chris Banks
2:29:17
I'm good.
2:29:18
Thank you.
Cesar Godwall
2:29:18
Right.
2:29:20
Hello to your friends and neighbors.
2:29:21
My name is Sesar Godwall.
2:29:23
I'm a proud I probably call Elliott Chelsea my home.
2:29:27
Today, I stand before you to address an urgent and critical issue.
2:29:31
The proposed Rad Pak Project in LHLC Fulton Houses.
2:29:35
This initiative spearheaded by foreign contractors poses a grave threat to the stability and well-being of our night show residents.
2:29:43
We must speak out now against the potential displacement of our neighbors and the ongoing injustices we are facing.
2:29:49
The developer behind the project related companies led by CEO Steve Ross is poised to exploit our community in ways that are truly alarming.
2:29:59
What began as a seemingly benign initiative has revealed itself to be a calculated strategy aimed at destabilizing, confusing, and ultimately displacing residents.
2:30:11
Citizens.
2:30:12
This project was framed as a solution to our housing needs, but let me be clear.
2:30:17
It is a facade, an elaborate hoax designed to serve the interest of developers, not the residents of Elliott Chelsea.
2:30:25
Let's reflect on what happened on March 23.
2:30:28
Jared Nadler, who does not live in night shift, collaborated with mayor Adams Adams and certain tenant association leaders to manipulate our voices.
2:30:38
They conspired behind closed doors attempting to convince us that this Rad Pak project was what we wanted.
2:30:45
In reality, it was a plan to demolish our homes.
2:30:48
So the so called resident survey they conducted claimed that 84% of resident support keeping their homes.
2:30:57
Let's not be fooled.
2:30:59
The 16% is a that was voted for the project is a significant vote of no confidence.
2:31:06
This survey was merely a facade designed to create a false sense of consensus.
2:31:11
The truth is that a substantial majority of us vehemently oppose this project.
2:31:17
Moreover, related companies has taken over our
Chris Banks
2:31:20
30 seconds to wrap it up.
Cesar Godwall
2:31:21
One more minute.
2:31:22
10
Chris Banks
2:31:23
seconds to wrap it up.
Cesar Godwall
2:31:24
Facilities using them as business Moreover, related companies take it over our Turner Association facilities using them as business offices without any compensation.
2:31:34
This is a blatant attempt to silence us and honor our mind on our community engagement instead of supporting our efforts to organize management has actively worked against us.
2:31:43
They've removed our flyers, vandalized our properties, and harassed residents simply for trying to communicate with one another.
2:31:50
This is nothing short of an assault on her voices and our rights.
2:31:53
And if that's not enough, we are currently facing contractor fraud regarding lead paint inspections in in my building.
2:32:00
My building constructed in 1962 never had lead paint.
2:32:04
Yet, we have been threatened with unnecessary inspections In fact, in 2020, what my home was
Chris Banks
2:32:10
thinking for you
Keith Grossman
2:32:11
to talk
Chris Banks
2:32:11
to the police, sir.
Cesar Godwall
2:32:12
I need to finish.
Chris Banks
2:32:13
Thank you.
Cesar Godwall
2:32:13
Thank you.
2:32:13
Thank you.
Chris Banks
2:32:14
Thank you.
2:32:15
Thank you.
Cesar Godwall
2:32:15
Tactics.
2:32:16
Throwing the break down doors and pulling
Chris Banks
2:32:18
you out of stock, sir.
Cesar Godwall
2:32:19
This is not negligence.
2:32:20
It has Thank
Chris Banks
2:32:23
you for your testimony.
