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Q&A
Exploring partnerships between City Tech and Downtown Brooklyn
1:09:26
ยท
128 sec
Council Member Restler inquires about potential partnerships between City Tech and economic engines in Downtown Brooklyn to create opportunities and utilize vacant office space. Executive Vice Chancellor Batista responds with interest in pursuing such partnerships.
- Restler suggests bringing together economic development leaders in Downtown Brooklyn with City Tech and CUNY Central
- Batista mentions existing partnerships, including a project with the Brooklyn Navy Yard for workforce development
- Both express interest in collaborating to create economic development opportunities in Downtown Brooklyn
Lincoln Restler
1:09:26
One is a parochial question for District 33.
1:09:32
We are home to city tech.
1:09:35
We're also experiencing a the Downtown Brooklyn office market, the commercial market in Downtown Brooklyn is struggling mightily.
1:09:48
For reasons I don't understand, it's now cost more to rent office space in Downtown Brooklyn than Lower Manhattan, but that's not really your problem.
1:09:54
What I am interested though in is how we can do a better job of forging partnerships between City Tech, perhaps with leadership from CUNY Central, and kind of some of the and economic engines for opportunity in Downtown Brooklyn to start more businesses, to build more opportunity in some of the vacant space that we have available.
1:10:14
This should be a hub for new jobs and innovation, and it's not happening.
1:10:19
I think NYU could be a real partner here too as they're an adjacent they have a presence in the community.
1:10:23
But are you guys thinking about these kinds of ideas?
1:10:25
Could we bring together some of the economic development leaders in Downtown Brooklyn with with City Tech and CUNY Central to try and create some plans?
Hector Batista
1:10:32
So as a former as a Brooklynite, it's it's it's dear to my heart.
1:10:37
And as you know, at one point I ran the the Chamber of Commerce.
1:10:40
So I I am familiar with the downtown partnership and and all that.
1:10:44
I I do believe that the president of the college has has quite a few partnerships that he has established.
1:10:52
I think there's more that could be done.
1:10:54
For example, we have a project right now with in partnership with the Brooklyn Navy Yard connected to some workforce development.
1:11:02
And perhaps provide some funding for It is something that I welcome.
1:11:07
The idea of partnering with Downtown Brooklyn.
1:11:11
I am surprised.
1:11:12
Right?
1:11:12
Many many years ago, worked for the Brooklyn borough president.
1:11:15
I was in charge of economic development and was involved in in Metro Tech and down and I was involved in in creating those projects.
1:11:22
So I think there is an opportunity there to really create some economic development.
1:11:26
It could be a real win win and we can actually So we'd love to partner with your office and try to do That would lot.
Lincoln Restler
1:11:31
Alright.
1:11:31
We will follow-up and set a conversation.
1:11:33
Last question.