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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Andrew Sokolof Diaz, Co-founder of 89th Street Tenants Unidos
0:49:54
ยท
125 sec
Andrew Sokolof Diaz, co-founder of 89th Street Tenants Unidos, strongly opposes the Queens Futures ULURP for a casino and hotel complex in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. He argues that the project would have negative impacts on the community, environment, and local economy while benefiting billionaire developers.
- Warns of potential displacement, gambling addiction, and strain on infrastructure
- Criticizes the environmental review process for ignoring socioeconomic effects
- Questions the quality and sustainability of jobs promised by the casino project
- Calls for modifications based on the Phoenix Meadows vision plan if the project moves forward
Andrew Sokolof Diaz
0:49:54
Okay.
0:49:54
My name is Andrew Sokolov Diaz.
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I'm the cofounder of the eighty ninth Street Tennis Unidos Association in Jackson Heights, Queens, representing over 500 residents and homeowners in Jackson Heights.
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I'm also a lifelong Queens resident, now raising my family there as well.
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And our volunteer driven group fights for dignified affordable housing and against displacement while providing mutual aid in our community.
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We strongly oppose the Queens Futures ULURP for a massive casino and hotel complex on public land at Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
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And as part of the fed up coalition, we urge you to vote no or refer it back to CPC with recommendations as is within the ability of this committee.
0:50:34
This is a bad bet for Queens.
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The impacts of a second casino in our borough have not been properly studied.
0:50:40
Displacement effects have been ignored, and the social harms to our immigrant communities are clear.
0:50:45
Our youth and seniors deserve a park that's invested in, not a casino designed to drain money and fuel gambling and addiction issues.
0:50:52
Billionaire Steve Cohen and Co is going all out hiring the most lobbyists in the entire state to push this through, per city and state this week.
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This casino complex would extract wealth from our working class communities, overwhelm our already maxed out seven train, and worsen our air quality.
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It would also overtax our sewer system, sending tons of raw sewage into Flushing Bay.
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Meanwhile, the re required environmental quality review ignores the socioeconomic effects on our community.
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This process is being rushed and you have the power to stop it.
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You'll hear a lot today about jobs from paid supporters, but the casinos don't create real economic growth.
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Hard Rock Casino's partner is actively union busting.
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So what jobs are we talking about here?
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Low wage service sector jobs with no future?
0:51:35
Come on.
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Queens deserves better.
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We ask you to vote no or at minimum demand modifications based on the Phoenix Meadows vision plan, a hundred percent storm water capture, no loss of public parkland, no increase in parking spaces, and better local connectivity.
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We need adequate spaces for our local vendors.
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Yes.
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But this is a moment of consciousness.
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Please do the right thing for Queens.
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Thank you.