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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Michael Walsh, Head of Friends of Chelsea Green Park, on Western Rail Yards Modification Proposal
1:44:34
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124 sec
Michael Walsh, a long-time Chelsea resident and head of Friends of Chelsea Green Park, testifies against the Western Rail Yards modification proposal, urging the committee to vote no. He expresses concerns about the plan's impact on young families, light and shadow issues, potential dangers of a casino, and lack of affordable housing.
- Walsh emphasizes the importance of adhering to the goals and compromises of the 2009 plan for the area.
- He argues that those who support the success of the Eastern Rail Yards (Hudson Yards) should also be committed to the original plan's objectives.
- Walsh suggests that the current proposal is not yet ready and should be reconsidered.
Michael Walsh
1:44:34
Hi.
1:44:35
I'd like to thank you all for allowing this opportunity to speak.
1:44:40
Thank you to the committee.
1:44:41
My name is Michael Walsh and I am a long time resident of Chelsea.
1:44:46
I have been an active parent at PS eleven for over a decade.
1:44:50
And I am the head of the Chelsea Green Park, Friends of Chelsea Green Park.
1:44:54
Chelsea Green Park is a park that's very active with the toddler and young families in our community.
1:45:01
And I do mean the whole West Side.
1:45:02
We draw people from the North, from the South.
1:45:05
And so I come here today in speaking on behalf of young families, a group that is is really been hard hit in Manhattan and the city at large lately.
1:45:15
And we have huge concerns about the plan on the table, and we ask you to vote no.
1:45:21
We're concerned about the the light and shadow issues in the site.
1:45:25
We are concerned about the ancillary, dangers of a casino in our community and the lack of affordable housing.
1:45:34
So I am glad that council member Bacher brought up the 2,009 plan.
1:45:40
And and I understand that the world has changed, but the goals of that plan are still relevant.
1:45:46
And so I I say to to you and to everyone here today, if you are dedicated to the success of the Eastern Rail Yards, to what we have today that is known as Hudson Yards, then you are dedicated to the goals of the compromises that were made in that plan.
1:46:01
If you are dedicated to the union jobs, jobs and small businesses that are now a part of the current Hudson Yards, and you are dedicated to the goals of the of the commitments that were made in February plan.
1:46:15
If you are dedicated to the retail, to the commerce, and to the shed which make up the current Hudson Yards, and you are dedicated to the compromises that were made in the 02/2009 plan.
1:46:27
So I ask you to vote no on this.
1:46:29
I think it should go back to the table.
1:46:31
We are we are incrementally moving forward towards towards a possibility of a plan, and I just don't think we are there yet.
1:46:37
Thank you for your time.