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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Josh Zipin, Resident President of 436 East 66th Street, on MSK Pavilion Project

2:56:41

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Josh Zipin, a new father and resident president of 436 East 66th Street, strongly opposes the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Pavilion project in its current form. He expresses concerns about the project's impact on the local community, particularly regarding safety and quality of life issues during the long construction period.

Zipin criticizes MSK's community engagement process as performative and inadequate
He requests specific accommodations from MSK, including air quality management, soundproof windows, and subsidies for electricity and parking
Zipin urges the council not to approve the project without significant improvements to MSK's commitment to community safety and well-being

Josh Zipin

2:56:41

Awesome.

2:56:43

Good afternoon.

2:56:44

My name is Josh Sippen, and I'm a new father and resident president of 436 East 66th Street.

2:56:50

This project is happening at my doorstep.

2:56:53

I strongly oppose this project and its current execution.

2:56:57

No one debates as we've heard MSK's virtue or value in fighting cancer But the idea that the community has been involved in this process is simply farce cold.

2:57:06

The question, what does this do to our share of the cancer market exemplifies a capitalistic mindset that doesn't include the residents and families affected by this plan?

2:57:15

As a new father, I'm particularly anxious about the dangers posed by asbestos and dust during the the year long demolition in a subsequent 6 year construction project.

2:57:24

This situation has made my wife who works in breast surgery at MSK and I start to consider moving away from the neighborhood.

2:57:31

Understanding that this project is likely to proceed, we've asked MSK for 4 essential accommodations.

2:57:38

Transparent air quality management, soundproof windows, an electricity subsidy, and a parking subsidy.

2:57:44

So far, MSK is only considered soundproof windows, and the reimbursement process remains unclear.

2:57:49

Other reasonable accommodations have been denied, which contradicts the idea that MSK is serious about being a community partner.

2:57:56

This indicates the troubling disregard for the safety, financial well-being and impact on local residents.

2:58:01

This project, as is, should not be approved.

2:58:03

If it proceeds, MSK must significantly improve its commitment to the safety and well-being of those most affected.

2:58:10

Generating community involvement and respect for local concerns are essential to any project of this magnitude and cannot be really performative as some of today's testimony has seemed.

2:58:19

Thank you.

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