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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jackson Chabot, Representative from Open Plans
6:01:52
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Jackson Chabot from Open Plans testified on three specific topics: daylighting, open streets, and DOT staffing. He advocated for increased funding for daylighting infrastructure and the open streets program, while also emphasizing the need for proper staffing at the Department of Transportation.
- Recommended allocating $10 million to daylight 1,000 intersections this year, an increase from the mayor's allocation of $3,850,000
- Called for $48 million over three years to fully fund and expand the open streets program
- Highlighted the importance of adequate staffing at DOT to implement necessary projects
Jackson Chabot
6:01:52
Good afternoon.
6:01:53
Thank you, Cherry Brooks Powers.
6:01:54
Today, I'm gonna testify on three specific topics.
6:01:57
First, daylighting.
6:01:59
There's clear momentum around daylighting in New York City, and our budget should reflect this.
6:02:03
We ask the New York City Council to please ensure that the New York City Department of Transportation has the resources to implement daylighting and, most importantly, hardened daylighting, which DOT at common today has been shown to provide the most profound safety benefit citywide to people walking, biking, and driving.
6:02:20
The mayor's allocation of 3,850,000.00 for daylighting infrastructure is a welcome increase from last year's allocation, but this is simply insufficient to meet the needs on our streets.
6:02:31
We heard this today from council member Juan's questions of DOT.
6:02:36
DOT even presented images today of their daylighting work to date, and we asked them to continue this at a rapid pace.
6:02:42
Based on the DOT estimates of the cost for daylighting that they shared today, we recommend an allocation of $10,000,000 to daylight 1,000 intersections this year and to truly address the calls from community boards across the city for safer streets.
6:02:58
Second, on open streets.
6:03:00
Last week, open streets operators called on the city to fully fund the open streets program by allocating the $48,000,000 over three years to expand the DOT's capacity for supporting open streets.
6:03:10
For too long since the program has been formalized, open streets operators have been fighting for scraps from the Department of Transportation and Administration, has routinely touted the benefits of open streets on from a commerce perspective, from a safety perspective, and from a community perspective.
6:03:27
However, they have not allocated the proper funding to do this.
6:03:31
The Department of Transportation Commissioner today said they love open streets.
6:03:36
So where is the money?
6:03:38
In closing, I'd like to elevate the call that Ben just said regarding staffing for the Department of Transportation.
6:03:43
It's quite clear with no staff, the Department of Transportation cannot do the necessary projects.
6:03:50
Thank you.