REMARKS
Pierina Ana Sanchez explains vote and discusses Kingsbridge Armory
0:39:40
·
83 sec
Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez explains her vote, focusing on the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment project. She discusses the armory's history, potential, and the community engagement process she led. Sanchez urges support for a resolution to pursue a $2 million grant from New York State for the project.
- Sanchez led a 9-month community engagement process in 2023, involving over 4,000 people
- The vote is on a resolution to support EDC's pursuit of a $2 million grant from New York State
- Sanchez votes aye on all items except for Introduction 103-A, on which she votes no
Pierina Ana Sanchez
0:39:40
Thank you.
0:39:41
Only the Kingsbridge Armoury could bring me to the meeting today.
0:39:44
Thank you, speaker, for welcoming my child into the world, and all my colleagues.
0:39:50
Built in 1917, used over the years as a military hub, a concert space, food distribution hub during COVID 19, the armory has been functionally vacant for 25 years.
0:39:59
It's said to be one of the largest in the world.
0:40:01
You could fit 6 football stadiums inside of the Kingsbridge armory.
0:40:05
It It represents the vast potential of our community.
0:40:08
And with EDC and a community working group, I led a 9 month community engagement process in 2023 that engaged more than 4,000 people and commute culminated in a community vision plan.
0:40:19
Throughout this year, EDC has been reviewing responses to an RFP and is in the process of selecting a developer.
0:40:25
Today's vote is a resolution to support EDC's pursuit of a $2,000,000 grant from New York State, not a vote on any specific project or land use actions.
0:40:35
Those will come to us.
0:40:36
I hope colleagues will join me in support of this effort to make any future project financially sound.
0:40:40
And while we do not yet know what the project will be, we do know that past projects failed because they did not have adequate financing.
0:40:47
I remain committed to and welcome my colleague's support to do everything possible to promote a successful redevelopment of the Kingsbridge armory.
0:40:55
Also I made a new human and did I mention she's amazing.
0:40:58
With that I vote aye on all with the exception of 103 a, on which I vote no.
0:41:02
Thank you, majority leader.
