PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Maddie Baker, Operations Manager of Bryant Park Corporation and 34th Street Partnership Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)
2:44:16
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73 sec
Maddie Baker, representing Bryant Park Corporation and 34th Street Partnership BIDs, testified about the challenges and concerns regarding DSNY's containerization efforts. She acknowledged the goal of getting bags off the ground but highlighted issues with implementation costs, impact on sanitation employees, and uncertainties about long-term use of the bins.
- Emphasized the disproportionate impact on smaller BIDs
- Expressed concern about the short-term (1-3 years) assurance for bin usage despite the potential 10-year investment
- Requested a formal meeting with DSNY and DOT to address the longevity of their potential investment in containers
Maddie Baker
2:44:16
Thank you all for this opportunity to testify.
2:44:20
My name is Maddy Baker, and I work in operations for the Bryant Park Corporation and 34th Street Partnership Business Improvement Districts.
2:44:27
I want to recognize many of the great points brought up by my bid peers, especially those who represent smaller bids, who are disproportionately impacted by this enforcement.
2:44:35
We have been working closely with members of DSNY to get our bins cited and we look forward to getting our bags off of the ground.
2:44:41
That being said, there's a significant cost to this implementation and an additional tax on our sanitation employees who will have to travel further distances with these bags which has not been considered by DSNY.
2:44:52
We are interested in getting our bags off the ground with longevity in mind.
2:44:56
As Commissioner Tisch said earlier, this is an investment that could last for 10 years.
2:45:00
Again, being that being said, there has been no assurance that we will be able to use these bins for longer than 1 to 3 years according to DSNY's imposed contract, which is not a sufficient amount of time for this investment to be worthwhile.
2:45:13
At today's hearing, DSNY said these contracts were negotiable.
2:45:16
We have made attempts to negotiate this contract with DSNY but have been stonewalled.
2:45:21
We request a formal meeting with DSNY and DOT together to formally address the longevity of our potential investment in containers.
2:45:28
Thank you.
