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Council Member Chi Ossé's remarks on the Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan
0:10:46
·
4 min
Council Member Chi Ossé presents his concerns and priorities regarding the Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan (AAMUP). He emphasizes the need for affordable housing, open space improvements, transit upgrades, and a redesign of Atlantic Avenue for safety. Ossé stresses that the administration must address these concerns before gaining his support for the plan.
- Ossé calls for maximum utilization of city-owned sites for affordable housing development
- He highlights the importance of preserving existing affordable homes and protecting long-time residents from displacement
- The council member urges for improvements to transit infrastructure, particularly at the Franklin Avenue shuttle station, and a clear timeline for the redesign of Atlantic Avenue
Chi A. Ossé
0:10:46
Thank you so much chair Reilly and members of the subcommittee.
0:10:49
My name is council member Chiyo Se and I represent District 36 in Brooklyn.
0:10:54
Like my colleague council member Hudson, I am here today to hear the administration's proposal for the Atlantic Avenue mixed use plan, AIM UP.
0:11:02
I will also address community priorities outside of the zoning proposal that must be highlighted for this plan to succeed.
0:11:09
I share many of the concerns that council member Hudson outlined in her opening statement and would like to share my own and urge the administration to work with us to make this plan the best it can be.
0:11:19
I need to emphasize that it is key that the administration addresses those concerns shared by council member Hudson, myself, and our communities before our support is gained.
0:11:29
I want to echo the comments of council member Hudson that affordable housing is a top priority.
0:11:34
We are in a housing crisis caused by unacceptable by an unacceptable shortage that impacts our city and has pushed thousands of black residents out of their homes.
0:11:44
This is particularly evident in my district.
0:11:47
The administration must use old tools at its disposal to build new units to meet the ever growing demand and new income restricted units.
0:11:56
It must also preserve existing affordable homes across the AIM UP project area.
0:12:01
Every city owned site in the study must be considered for redevelopment to include new housing, including many income restricted affordable housing units as an additional use.
0:12:11
Aim Up needs to stand as an example of how community driven rezonings can protect longtime residents.
0:12:17
This proposal must bring more housing to the neighborhood, much of that must be income restricted.
0:12:23
The environmental impact statement identified significant impacts to our open spaces as part of AIM UP and the administration must address those concerns.
0:12:32
Both community boards three and eight have listed where their top priorities are for capital improvements and expansions and we need to make sure that our residents have a place of respite amidst the development.
0:12:44
Whether it's in our parks, schoolyards, or community gardens such as the Lefferts Place Community Garden and the Westbrook Memorial Community Garden, We should be considering improvements to all open space in and around the proposed rezoning area.
0:12:58
Bed Stuy has less open space than most other neighborhoods in the city and I want the administration to seriously consider all recommendations made by the community and allocate the necessary resources to make this a reality.
0:13:09
This plan is located in a transit rich area.
0:13:13
This is among the reasons it is a strong choice for new housing construction to address the housing shortage and relieve pressure from the limited housing supply in Bed Stuy which has caused costs to skyrocket and displace our neighbors.
0:13:27
It is also why I urge the administration and MTA to make necessary improvements to infrastructure and aesthetics particularly in the area of the Franklin Avenue shuttle station at Fulton Street.
0:13:38
The EIS identified the Franklin Avenue station would see the largest increase in use as a result of the proposal.
0:13:44
The MTA must continue to commit to their signaling system replacement plan to ensure that there are additional trips along the AC line to accommodate the increase in residents.
0:13:55
Additionally, the MTA must make aesthetic improvements to the shuttle structure specifically to the shuttle overpass, the wall along Franklin Avenue and the surrounding bus shelters.
0:14:05
My final concern that I share with Councilmember Hudson regards a complete redesign of Atlantic Avenue.
0:14:11
This is a critical component of this plan.
0:14:14
Atlantic Avenue is one of the most dangerous streets in the city and this much needed housing should be paired with major safety improvements.
0:14:21
The administration must commit to a thoughtful and fully funded redesign of Atlantic Avenue and give a clear timeline of when such a redesign would be implemented.
0:14:31
Thank you for allowing me the time to express my and my community's thoughts on AIM UP.
0:14:36
I look forward to hearing from the administration and working with them to make sure that this plan works for the residents in both of our districts.
0:14:43
The housing shortage that is straining our communities and displacing New Yorkers cannot be allowed to continue, and any community plan that comes to the neighborhoods I represent must address all concerns brought up by both council member Hudson and myself and our community members testifying today.
0:14:58
I look forward to ensuring aim up meets the needs of the constituents council member Hudson and I represent.
0:15:03
Thank you.