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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Richard Graziano, Docent from The High Line
2:29:36
·
110 sec
Richard Graziano, a volunteer docent at The High Line, testifies against the proposed changes to the Western Rail Yards development plan, particularly opposing the potential 20-story building that may include a casino. He argues that this change goes against Related Companies' 2009 commitment and would negatively impact the local community and The High Line.
- Emphasizes that change should allow for light and air, which the proposed 20-story building does not
- Criticizes the potential casino as being inward-looking and not benefiting the local community
- Urges the council to reject the plan, citing it as "bad change" for both The High Line and the local area
Richard Graziano
2:29:36
Good morning.
2:29:37
My name is Richard Graziano, and I am a volunteer docent on the High Line.
2:29:42
And if there's anything I've known or learned about the High Line is that change is a constant.
2:29:48
There are buildings going up every day and some change is good.
2:29:53
Buildings that allow for light and air and some change is bad.
2:29:58
The proposed building of this 20 story monolith on the West side of the Western Yards is bad change.
2:30:09
As someone who had a fifty one year teaching career in this New York City Public Schools and the City University of New York, one of the things that I learned is that when you make a commitment, if you want a relationship with the people around you, in this case the community, you live up to your commitment.
2:30:27
In 02/2009 related, committed to a plan of mixed use, housing, schools, and open and open space.
2:30:38
Now they're trying to renege on that commitment and we need to make sure that they live up to the commitment that they that they did.
2:30:47
Now the the proposed monolith that might include a casino is inward looking.
2:30:54
As as mentioned before by someone, the people who go to those casinos are inward looking.
2:31:01
They eat in, dine in, drink in, and they don't go to the local community.
2:31:07
And so all you need to do is look at Atlantic City or Ozone Park where no one goes to the local community.
2:31:14
So I urge the council to say no to this this very bad plan for bad change for the High Line and for the local community.
2:31:25
Thank you.