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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by David Lawrence, Representative of Ironclad Artists
7:47:37
·
148 sec
David Lawrence, representing Ironclad Artists, a SoHo artist co-op since 1974, opposes the City of Yes proposal due to Section 15-01 of the zoning code, which imposes high taxes on artists in SoHo. He argues this will bankrupt and drive out remaining artists from the neighborhood.
- Lawrence emphasizes the role of artists in transforming SoHo into a premier destination
- He mentions the "arts fund" as an ill-defined slush fund that will take money out of SoHo
- The speaker requests the elimination of Section 15-01 or a "no" vote on the City of Yes proposal
David Lawrence
7:47:37
Is that it?
7:47:38
Okay, great.
7:47:40
Chairman Riley, Council members, thank you so much for having me here.
7:47:44
My name is David Lawrence.
7:47:45
I represent Iron clad artists.
7:47:47
We're a artist co op in Soho, and we've been there since 1974.
Kevin C. Riley
7:47:53
David, can you please speak up a little bit?
David Lawrence
7:47:55
I'm sorry.
7:47:55
Sorry.
7:47:56
My my throat's a little sore.
7:47:57
I'm sorry about that.
7:47:58
Would you like me to start over?
Kevin C. Riley
7:48:01
To start over.
7:48:02
To start his time over.
7:48:03
Of course.
David Lawrence
7:48:05
My name is David Lawrence, and I represent Iron clad artists, a co an artist co op in SoHo, and we've been there since 1974.
7:48:15
My neighbors are painters, sculptors, photographers, filmmakers.
7:48:19
Many of whom are very well known internationally and nationally.
7:48:23
All of us do what artists do best.
7:48:25
We take humble materials and using our imagination, we create value.
7:48:30
Both in our own work, art and our neighborhood, which at an earlier time was known as Hell's Hundred Acres.
7:48:36
Because of artists, SoHo is what it is today.
7:48:39
A premier destination for visitors and one of the most unique neighborhoods in the world that we can all be very proud of.
7:48:48
In fact, artists have been leading the way in the spirit of City of Yest for over 50 years, converting commercial and industrial spaces into living and workspaces.
7:48:59
Yet, we you'd think we would support city of yes, but we cannot for a simple reason.
7:49:06
And that's because the plan includes Section 15 dash 01 of the zoning code, and it singles us out for exorbitant taxes.
7:49:18
I personally will have to pay 100 of 1000 of dollars to the city.
7:49:23
This was alluded to for an earlier speaker, Chris Marte is very aware of this situation.
7:49:30
This is this discrimination is gonna cost our building alone 1,000,000 of dollars.
7:49:37
For a slush fund, which is known as the arts fund, an ill defined fund that will spread money all over the city and take it out of SoHo.
7:49:48
This will bankrupt artists from and drive the remaining artists out of SoHo.
7:49:53
And so unless section 15 dash 01 is eliminated, we ask you to please and respectfully vote no for the city of yes.
7:50:02
We feel this is incredibly unfair.
7:50:03
Fair, but I appreciate your time very much today.