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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Kobe Levy, Hudson Yards Resident and Local Business Owner, on Western Rail Yards Development
1:24:06
·
72 sec
Kobe Levy, a Hudson Yards resident and local business owner, expresses support for the Western Rail Yards development project, emphasizing the need for jobs and housing in the city. He argues against comparing the current proposal to the 2009 plan, stating that economic conditions have changed significantly since then.
- Levy criticizes those who oppose the project, saying New York is not a "city of no" and should continue to build and develop
- He points out that the 2009 plan is no longer relevant due to changes in the economy, technology, and world events
- Levy urges consideration of the project in terms of the current opportunity for jobs and housing, rather than comparing it to past plans
Kobe Levy
1:24:06
Still morning.
1:24:07
Good morning.
1:24:07
My name is Kobe Levy.
1:24:09
I'm a resident of Hudson Yards and a local business owner.
1:24:12
I've been to many of these hearings, and one thing is seemingly said over and over again, and that's where we're at the crossroads in our city.
1:24:21
And if certain voices have their way, we will have this great celebration for the word no.
1:24:29
This is not a city of no.
1:24:31
Right?
1:24:32
We build things here, and presumably, this is something that we want built.
1:24:36
I keep hearing about housing over and over again, and then people talk about the 02/2009 plan.
1:24:41
But the 02/2009 plan is gone.
1:24:43
Right?
1:24:43
In 02/2009, there was no Instagram.
1:24:45
In 02/2009, a certain orange man was a game show host.
1:24:49
So, like, the world has changed.
1:24:51
So if the alternative is we can have this project, jobs and housing, or we can have nothing, then why aren't we talking about it in that scope?
1:24:59
Why are we talking about something that is literally in the past that is gone?
1:25:04
Tariffs, inflation.
1:25:06
The world has changed.
1:25:07
The economic world has changed.
1:25:08
We need to be realistic.
1:25:09
This is an opportunity for jobs and for housing, which is supposedly what we all want.
1:25:16
I don't think we should miss this opportunity.