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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jacob Dickson, Owner/Operator of Dickson's Farms and Meats
1:36:53
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76 sec
Jacob Dickson, owner of Dickson's Farms and Meats in Chelsea Market, expresses strong support for the Hudson Yards West development, including a potential casino. He argues that the project would revitalize the area and bring much-needed foot traffic to local businesses still struggling post-pandemic.
- Dickson highlights the current challenges in Chelsea, including a 30% decrease in foot traffic and above-average retail vacancies.
- He emphasizes the potential of the development to create a unique attraction in New York City, stretching from Hudson Yards to the Whitney and Little Island.
- Dickson argues that the expansion to 4,000 residential units and investment in community organizations make the proposal beneficial for the neighborhood.
Jacob Dickson
1:36:53
My name is Jacob Dixon.
1:36:54
I'm the owner and operator of Dixon's Farms and Meats, the butcher shop and restaurant in Chelsea Market.
1:36:59
I've been there for fifteen years, and I've also been a West Chelsea resident for fifteen years.
1:37:03
The pandemic hit hard, and Chelsea is still struggling to come back.
1:37:06
Foot traffic is down 30% from pre pandemic levels even as city tourism rates have rebounded.
1:37:12
Retail storefront vacancies in Chelsea are above average for the city.
1:37:17
We need to think big.
1:37:18
The Hudson Yards West development would create a singular attraction in New City stretching from Hudson Yards to the Whitney and Little Island.
1:37:25
There would be nothing else like it in the five boroughs.
1:37:27
A casino would attract a new and different customer base that would be incremental to our existing foot traffic.
1:37:33
Even if only a fraction shopped the local businesses, these are customers we would not otherwise have, and I wouldn't want to see them going to other boroughs.
1:37:41
With the expansion of the proposal to 4,000 residential units, investment in community organizations, there's no question this proposal is right for the neighborhood.
1:37:49
Big ideas like Chelsea Market, the High Line, and Little Island have transformed unused and unsightly spaces into huge assets for our community.
1:37:58
This development is the right choice.
1:37:59
It would be a huge missed opportunity to let this project land elsewhere, especially when the alternative is that this would remain an undeveloped rail yard.
1:38:08
Thank you.