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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Celines Miranda, Representative of Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Tenants Against Demolition
0:08:06
ยท
4 min
Celines Miranda, representing Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Tenants Against Demolition, testifies against the proposed demolition of NYCHA buildings in Chelsea. She argues that the demolition proposal is based on false narratives and demands transparency from NYCHA and developers.
- Presents a petition with 949 signatures from tenants against demolition
- Refutes claims that buildings are falling apart and that demolition is more cost-effective
- Demands access to independent audit and obsolescence report used to justify demolition
Celines Miranda
0:08:06
My name is Sevinas Miranda.
0:08:11
I'm here representing the Fulton and Elliot Chelsea tenants against demolition.
0:08:17
We have been fighting relentlessly against the proposed demolition of our NYCHA buildings in Chelsea, 2 separate developments, Fulton And Elliot Chelsea houses.
0:08:29
There are several false narratives being circulated by NYCHA, our city council member Eric Bacher, and the developers Essence and Related Companies regarding the demolition of our public housing.
0:08:44
I want to remind the public housing committee that the demolition of public housing in any community threatens the public housing in your respective district as well.
0:08:57
We cannot allow this reckless demolition proposal to move forward as it threatens the future of public housing throughout New York City.
0:09:08
The following three arguments are being used by NYCHA and the private developers Essence and Related Companies to support the demolition of our public housing.
0:09:18
One, the residents want and chose demolition.
0:09:22
Two, the buildings are falling apart.
0:09:25
And three, it will cost more to renovate.
0:09:29
I want to explain how these are all false.
0:09:34
First, we have a petition of 949 signatures from the Fulton and Elliot Chelsea tenants who are against the demolition which far exceeds the 550 tenants who selected new construction.
0:09:49
I personally knocked off hundreds of doors to speak with my neighbors about this demolition proposal, and most of them do not want it.
0:09:58
Our city council member is choosing to side with NYCHA and the developers by ignoring our petition.
0:10:05
Two, second, if our buildings were falling apart, they would not be habitable.
0:10:11
We would be required to vacate immediately.
0:10:14
The fact that families, elderly, the sick, disabled, are living there today means that the buildings are habitable.
0:10:23
My apartment is in great shape and so are the apartments of many of my neighbors.
0:10:29
In addition to this, Essence related companies and NYCHA admitted in a letter to our community board that they are not aware of any significant structural damages of our FEC Building.
0:10:43
In other words, the buildings are not falling apart.
0:10:48
And lastly, the cost of demolition.
0:10:51
Related companies recently admitted at a community board meeting that the cost to demolish our buildings and rebuild is higher than the renovation with a total of $1,900,000,000.
0:11:04
This is an increase from the original projected cost.
0:11:07
While NYCHA said that the renovations of our FEC Building will cost more than demolition, NYCHA and the private developers have an agenda.
0:11:17
They want to demolish public housing even though it's more expensive than rehabilitating our NYCHA buildings.
0:11:25
We demand to view all relevant documents that are vital to this proposal.
0:11:31
Number one, an independent audit that was completed for related companies.
0:11:36
This audit is the one that demolition proposal is being based on.
0:11:41
We have asked to see this audit and NYCHA has not answered us.
0:11:45
We need to see the audit conducted by related companies, the one being used to justify the demolition of our homes.
0:11:54
Two, we must see the obsolescence report, a document that is supposed to detail how our buildings are in disrepair.
0:12:03
All housing authorities must provide all obsolescence report prior to any public housing demolition.
0:12:11
Can I get thirty seconds?
Chris Banks
0:12:12
Thirty seconds to wrap it up.
Celines Miranda
0:12:14
According to HUD's rules, NYCHA has yet to disclose this report.
0:12:18
We have requested this report over and over again.
0:12:22
Why are they not making this available for public disclosure?
0:12:26
We insist that these documents be made available and our representatives shall also be requested to see these documents.
0:12:34
Otherwise, you are all allowing the demolition of public housing to continue without any actual proof that anything is wrong with the buildings.
0:12:44
Thank you for the platform.