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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Cynthia Starkey, Co-Chair of 100 West 19/20 Block Association on Western Rail Yards Modification Proposal
1:43:11
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78 sec
Cynthia Starkey, representing the 100 West 19/20 Block Association, urges the council to vote against the Western Rail Yards modification proposal, particularly opposing the inclusion of a casino and super tall buildings. She emphasizes that these elements were never agreed upon by the community and argues against their potential negative impacts.
- Starkey cites national data suggesting that casinos bring little value to communities, attract less desirable tourism, and provide mostly low-paying jobs.
- She expresses concern about the proposal's impact on the Javits Center roof's ecosystem, which includes a farm, green roof, bee colony, and serves as a habitat for various bird and animal species.
- Starkey calls for reverting to the original 2009 agreement and stopping what she sees as the degradation of Manhattan.
Cynthia Starkey
1:43:11
Yes.
1:43:11
I'm Cynthia Starkey.
1:43:13
I'm the co chair at the 100 Block Of West 1920, and I'm super bummed to have to be here once again to to ask you to vote no on this agreement or this application.
1:43:30
I'll keep my comments brief, but it was never agreed by us to build a casino or super tall.
1:43:38
We don't want and never agreed to a casino.
1:43:42
Indeed, national data demonstrates that casinos bring little to nothing of value to communities, bring less desirable tourism, provide only low paying jobs, and use more resources generating city revenue.
1:43:56
We don't want, never agreed to, compromising sunlight on the Javits Center roof sustainable and unique ecosystem.
1:44:03
The Javits roof includes a farm, a green roof, a bee colony, and the habitat of the New York City Bird Alliance It's witnessed 65 bird species, five bat species, and hundreds of arthropod species using the roof.
1:44:20
So please revert related proposal to the 02/2009 agreement, stop the degradation of Manhattan, and please vote no on this application.
1:44:28
Thank you.