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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jeff Gardner, Co-President of West 18th Street Block Association
1:29:44
·
85 sec
Jeff Gardner, representing the West 18th Street Block Association, expresses opposition to Related Companies' revised plan for the Western Rail Yards development. He argues that the plan does not align with the original 2009 agreement and that the community hasn't had sufficient opportunity to engage in the development process.
- Gardner calls for more responsible development that supports education and affordable housing.
- He criticizes Related's past use of EB-5 visa financing and suggests they are again seeking public funding for a profitable venture.
- Gardner requests that Related return to negotiations with Community Board 4 to create a plan that meets both community and Manhattan-wide needs.
Jeff Gardner
1:29:44
Hi.
1:29:45
Good morning.
1:29:45
My name is Jeff Gardner.
1:29:46
I am the co president of the West eighteenth Street Block Association and a longtime resident of Chelsea.
1:29:53
First, I'd like to thank Related for presenting a revised plan.
1:29:57
Unfortunately, I can't support that plan as that does not live up to the spirit of the original 02/2009 agreement that was crafted with the community.
1:30:05
First and foremost, I think that it is simply premature for the council to vote in favor of the proposed zoning because there's not been a meaningful opportunity to engage with the community in an effort to develop something that the community supports.
1:30:22
And unlike the characterizations of NIMBYs, I am certainly a YMMBY and would welcome development in my neighborhood that's responsible and supports education and affordable housing for our residents.
1:30:35
And I am very reminded of the fable of the scorpion and the frog, and I think that Related has showed us in the past through their use of the EB-five visa financing program that they are again looking for the public to finance a profitable venture on their behalf.
1:30:55
So I would welcome an opportunity for Related to come back to the table, get CB4's approval of a proposed project that meets the community's needs as well as the needs of the entirety of Manhattan.
1:31:09
Thank you.