REMARKS
Council Member Won's statement on 49-39 Van Dam demapping proposal
0:09:08
ยท
136 sec
Chair Kevin C. Riley reads a prepared statement from Council Member Won regarding the 49-39 Van Dam demapping proposal. The statement expresses opposition to the land use action and emphasizes the importance of preserving public land for public benefit.
- Council Member Won will vote against the land use action at the full council vote
- Emphasizes the need for public land transfers to deliver maximum public benefit
- Calls for DOT to maintain the parcel for stormwater management and green infrastructure
- Argues against transferring neglected public land to private interests
Kevin C. Riley
0:09:08
I will now read the statement prepared by council member Juan.
0:09:15
Today, the zoning subcommittee is voting on the demapping of 49 Dash 39 Van Dam Street, a green space under DOT's jurisdiction in Long Island City.
0:09:26
Demapping the land will result in a loss of green space to private interests who will not provide any public benefit.
0:09:34
After attending the public hearing on January 29 and listening to testimonies of members of the public as well as the applicant, I have decided that I will be voting against this land use action at the full council vote.
0:09:48
As I have said before, while there are circumstances in which it may make sense for public land to become privately owned, I believe that the goal of such ownership transfers must be public benefit.
0:10:02
I do not believe that this land use action would deliver the maximum public benefit.
0:10:07
The community board, which voted against this demapping, has called on DOT to ensure adequate site maintenance and security, and I support them in this call.
0:10:18
The community board also acts that this parcel, the only green space in the vicinity, be maintained for purposes of stormwater management, green infrastructure, and I urge the DOT to clean up this parcel so that it may serve this purpose.
0:10:36
Given the dwindling supply of city owned land and green space, especially in Long Island City, Sunnyside, it is important that this public land remains public and serves public interest rather than the bottom line of a developer whose main driven driver is capitalizing on a market opportunity in order to grow his business.
0:10:58
Finally, I would like to point out that this land use action involves a broader policy point.
0:11:04
Publicly owned land is a scarce and valuable resource.
0:11:08
The answer to neglected publicly owned land is not to transfer the land to private interests, but to actually invest in it, which is why the city should not dispose of this green space, but instead should start maintaining it properly.