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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Chuck Apelian, Land Use Chair of Queens Community Board 7
2:40:56
ยท
141 sec
Chuck Apelian, Land Use Chair of Queens Community Board 7, expressed strong support for the Metropolitan Park application. He emphasized the project's benefits including new green space, job creation, and significant improvements to public transportation infrastructure.
- Addressed allegations by stating he has no financial relations with the applicant
- Highlighted the privately funded $400 million improvements to MTA Subway and Long Island Railroad Station
- Stressed the importance of these improvements for various venues in the area, including Citi Field, Etihad Soccer Stadium, and USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Stadium
Chuck Apelian
2:40:56
Hello, chair Riley and committee members.
2:40:58
My name is Chuck Appelian.
2:41:00
As the Queen's Community Board seven land use chairman, I have held numerous hearings regarding Metropolitan Parks application.
2:41:08
To be clear, I want to address prior broad stroke and irresponsible allegations and state that as a community board member, I am not a paid consultant nor do I have any financial relations with this applicant.
2:41:22
I am now the community board chairman, and I ask this committee to join our community board's overwhelming support to begin the process to convert the asphalt around Citi Field into a vibrant and economic community hub.
2:41:37
A lot of what I wanted to say has already been said, so I won't repeat, but this privately funded plan does offer us a once in a lifetime opportunity for new green space, environmental resistance, and opportunities for active and passive recreation.
2:41:55
Yes, the project will create thousands of good paying union jobs, while ensuring the local hiring of residents and securing contracts with local minority and women owned business.
2:42:06
I want to focus on one major benefit that hasn't really been discussed.
2:42:11
We were extremely and especially impressed by the promise to privately fund and build a $400,000,000 new MTA Subway and Long Island Railroad Station improvements built to MTA standards.
2:42:28
I wanna emphasize that these huge and important improvements create a modern gateway for the entire area that serves 42,000 fans that attend every event at Citi Field, 20 5 Thousand fans that attend every event at Etihad Soccer Stadium, 20 3 Thousand fans that are attend every event at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Stadium, and the 10,000 residents and workers
UNKNOWN
2:42:58
Thank you.
2:42:58
Time has expired.
2:42:59
Go
Kevin C. Riley
2:43:01
wrap it up, Cher.
Chuck Apelian
2:43:03
That will use the station to reach the new Willets Point development.
2:43:07
Without the Metropolitan Park, MTA will never fund these important and much needed station improvements.
2:43:14
I ask the committee to vote yes.
2:43:16
Thank you.