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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Laura Sewell, Representative of Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition
6:35:48
ยท
124 sec
Laura Sewell, representing the Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition, testified about the importance of the Open Streets program on Avenue B in Manhattan and requested dedicated funding for open streets, plazas, and bike lanes maintenance.
- Highlighted safety benefits of the Open Streets program on Avenue B, which is near schools, parks, and public housing
- Emphasized the need for a dedicated line item in the budget for Open Streets, requesting $48 million over three years
- Expressed frustration with the current funding uncertainty and out-of-pocket expenses for program organizers
Laura Sewell
6:35:48
Good afternoon.
6:35:49
I'm speaking on behalf of Lois Ida Open Streets Community Coalition.
6:35:56
We're the community partner for the Avenue B Open Street in Manhattan.
6:36:00
We a temporary local access street on Avenue B that really provides traffic common on what's only a two lane street with three blocks adjacent to a park, six schools and a public housing complex.
6:36:17
So this is no place to be speeding.
6:36:19
It's very busy.
6:36:22
Yet drivers exiting the FDR are fed onto Avenue B, which the old timers refer to as the Avenue B Speedway.
6:36:29
So we really feel the difference that the Open Streets program has created in terms of safety on our street as well as providing a place for our community to gather for the programming that we can provide through the DOT program.
6:36:45
You may be wondering why so many OpenStreet organizers are here speaking with you today, and it's because we really have no guarantee.
6:36:54
And we're funding this money we support these programs out of our own pockets, wait for reimbursement.
6:37:01
And like right now, we're supposed to be planning for April, but it's on we're only now finding out that we have some funding for this year.
6:37:11
So our real ask from you is that there be a dedicated line item for open streets, plazas and the maintenance of open streets, plazas and bike lanes.
6:37:25
Think others have spoken very eloquently to the benefits of these programs, but we really need and I know this council supported it and has legislated for it, but what we really need is to see a dedicated line item to provide $48,000,000 over the next three years so that we can proceed in confident to give our time and deliver programming.
Mark Chen
6:37:49
The time is expired.
Laura Sewell
6:37:50
For you.
6:37:51
Thank you.