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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Irati Costell, Volunteer at La Nacional - Spanish Benevolent Society
2:00:53
·
66 sec
Irati Costell, a volunteer at La Nacional - Spanish Benevolent Society, expresses concerns about the proposed casino development's potential negative impact on local small businesses in Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen. She argues that the casino's design would keep visitors inside, reducing foot traffic to nearby restaurants and nightlife.
- Costell contrasts this with the Times Square casino proposal, which aims to encourage visitors to explore surrounding businesses.
- She urges the city council to consider small business interests and vote against the land use application.
- The testimony highlights the potential conflict between large-scale developments and existing local economic ecosystems.
Irati Costell
2:00:53
My name is Irati Costell.
2:00:54
I am a volunteer at La Nacional Spanish Fenevolence Society, an important community institution in Chelsea.
2:01:01
I'm here today because I'm concerned that this development plan is going to hurt the local small businesses around it.
2:01:07
The design of the casino, the business model, is to bring people into this giant building and keep them there at all the restaurants in the same building so that they keep gambling.
2:01:18
That means nobody lives to explore the great restaurants in night and night and nightlife on Ninth Avenue in Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen.
2:01:26
And in fact, those businesses lose traffic as they as people go to the fancy restaurants in the casino.
2:01:33
It doesn't have to be that way.
2:01:35
I don't support any particular projects, but I know the Times Square casino proposal is designed to make sure the casino guests explore and dine at the restaurant around Times Square.
2:01:47
That's helping small business, not hurting it.
2:01:50
I hope the city council considers the interests of the small businesses as it evaluates this land use application and votes no.
2:01:58
Thank you.