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TESTIMONY
Testimony: Susan Povich, Chairperson of the Red Hook Business Alliance, Testifies on Local Business Impact of Cruise Operations
2:20:41
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3 min
Susan Povich, owner of Red Hook Lobster Pound and chairperson of the Red Hook Business Alliance, presents compelling testimony regarding the adverse effects of cruise ship operations on local businesses in Red Hook. She cites gridlock, safety concerns, and a decline in revenue as major issues, arguing that promised investments and economic benefits have not reached the local community. Poovich calls for immediate action through the passage of Intro 4, highlighting the urgent need for traffic planning, shore power implementation, and local economic development.
Speaker 15
2:20:41
Thank you to the city council for giving the opportunity to give testimony and support of intro for.
2:20:45
My name is Susan Poovich.
2:20:47
I live in Redhook.
2:20:48
I own a restaurant in Redhook called the Redhook Lobster Pound.
2:20:50
I am also the chairperson of the Redhook Business Alliance.
2:20:53
I'M HERE TO URGE ALL MEMBERS TO PASS INTRO-four.
2:20:57
THE ARRIVAL OF THE MSC MURGAVIGlia IN APRIL WHICH CARRIES OVER 5600 PASSENGERS AND 25100 IN CREW BROUGHT hours of gridlock resulting in bus rerouting.
2:21:06
Ambulance is driving on the sidewalk, unsafe walking, and biking fictions, in addition to toxic fumes.
2:21:11
While the mayor boasts a huge economic aim for the city very little if any comes to the local neighborhood.
2:21:16
The lackluster experience of the cruise terminal without any mention of Redhook or local businesses, consists of one sign that says welcome to Brooklyn, Marty Markowitz.
2:21:26
This discourages any exploration beyond the port and discourages and there is zero connection of the local business community with the cruise ship travelers passengers that arrive.
2:21:36
Red Oak retail businesses and restaurants earn 80% of their revenue from May 1th through September when locals and tourists tend to take a day trip to Redhook.
2:21:44
This coincides with the heaviest cruising days.
2:21:46
The traffic congestion this past year during peak months resulted in overall neighborhood business decline.
2:21:51
My personal business could not open on several occasions because my employees could not access the neighborhood to come to work.
2:21:58
I can also personally report that only a handful of crew passengers have frequented my establishment And these guests were there because they were meeting friends and family that already lived in Brooklyn.
2:22:08
Our revenue was down by 20%.
2:22:10
This means the community lost jobs.
2:22:12
Our small business community is in a fragile, seasonally dependent neighborhood.
2:22:17
We cannot wait anymore for the EDC's long term timelines to connect and to give economic development from the cruise lines to the neighborhood.
2:22:26
We have already lost 1 landmark 15 year business.
2:22:31
The word is out in Brooklyn do not come to Redhook because you cannot get there.
2:22:36
Calls with the EDC this past summer revealed 0 traffic planning was done prior to this ban off of the ship docking I specifically asked members who sat in this council room for a copy of the traffic plan that was done before the MSC dot I have yet to receive a copy of this plan.
2:22:52
Unregulated CDC management of the port means these problems will continue to burden Redhook.
2:22:57
For years, the EDC has made promises that are unfulfilled.
2:23:00
In 2017, the EDC announced a $15,000,000 investment in the Redhook terminal The money was not invested, and in February, along with this new long term agreement, the EDC transferred nearly all the promised $15,000,000 to the Manhattan cruise port.
2:23:15
Intro for our water, our air is a step towards accountability and protection.
2:23:20
It will require all idling crews to ships to use the city's electric grid.
2:23:24
It will also require comprehensive traffic planning.
2:23:27
Intro 4 marks a pivotal moment in the quest for a responsible cruise into and city council input on EDC agreements.
2:23:35
Beyond Redhook, it's a beacon for a future where economic growth harmonizes with environmental and community health.
2:23:41
We encourage all council members to support the passage of the legislation.