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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Alan van Capelle, Executive Director of Friends of the High Line
2:15:22
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139 sec
Alan van Capelle, Executive Director of Friends of the High Line, testifies against the proposed Western Rail Yards modification. He argues that the plan would negatively impact the High Line and surrounding neighborhood, and criticizes the public financing scheme and lack of community input.
- Emphasizes that this is the first time Friends of the High Line has opposed a development in their 25-year history
- Warns of increased wind, shadows, and blocked views affecting the High Line experience
- Criticizes the proposal for deviating from the 2009 plan and potentially privatizing public space for a casino and resort
- Expresses concern over the financial risk to taxpayers and limited public benefits of the project
Alan van Capelle
2:15:22
Hi there.
2:15:23
I'm Alan Van Capella.
2:15:24
I'm the executive director of Friends of the High Line.
2:15:27
In our twenty five year history, we have been partners in our neighborhood's growth.
2:15:33
We have never once opposed a single development or rezoning in our vicinity, and we know how much growth has taken place along the mile and a half park that is the High Line.
2:15:44
From the outset, this proposal was conceived without the vital input of those who live nearby, and that is why you are hearing so many voices opposed to this bad plan.
2:15:56
The High Line would become windier and darker, and the hallmark sensation of a floating within the city would be lost.
2:16:05
View corridors would be blocked by an unprecedented 200 foot high building podium.
2:16:11
The space within the development footprint would shrink.
2:16:14
The renderings of the lush greenery are deceptive.
2:16:19
The space would be cast in shadow for all but two hour, two and a half hours during the day, and the Bryant Park comparison, while it's interesting, Bryant Park receives fifteen hours of sunlight during an average summer day.
2:16:34
Connectivity to the neighborhood would be lost and the public space would be in effect privatized in service to a casino and to a resort.
2:16:43
The 2,009 plan created a balance between super tall density of the Eastern Rail Yards and a vision of a lower rise, sustainable development for the Western Rail Yards.
2:16:54
The current proposal represents a stark departure from what we bargained for back then.
2:16:59
This unvetted public financing scheme brought at the eleventh hour and fifty nine minutes with no meaningful community support.
2:17:10
They are asking the city to absorb the financial risk of their casino based project and tax payers should not be rolling the dice on this scheme.
2:17:18
This press release of a shaky proposal asks tax payers to risk billions of dollars for a project with limited public benefit, a casino and 92% luxury condominiums.
2:17:32
This couldn't be more different from what we all envisioned in 02/2009.
2:17:37
Let's not lose what we have so carefully worked for together.