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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Tom Morris, Volunteer from Friends of the High Line
2:58:41
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131 sec
Tom Morris, a long-time West Village resident and volunteer with Friends of the High Line, testified in opposition to the Western Rail Yards modification proposal, particularly the casino plan. He emphasized the importance of careful development that involves community input.
- Highlighted the contrast between the proposed casino/Hudson Yards development and other West Side attractions like the High Line, Whitney Museum, and Hudson River Park
- Expressed that while he's not opposed to change or development in general, this particular plan is not the right approach
- Invoked Jane Jacobs' philosophy of community involvement in urban planning, arguing against dismissing such ideas as nostalgic or idealistic
Tom Morris
2:58:41
Hi.
2:58:43
Thank you for your time today.
2:58:45
My name is Tom Morris.
2:58:46
I've lived in the West Village for a little more than twenty six years now.
2:58:50
And as with many of the speakers here today, I am a frequent user of and volunteer with Friends of the High Line.
2:59:00
I don't have a lot to add to so many of the things that we've been talking today.
2:59:05
We've heard many times When we were hearing the High Line as one of the jewels in New York City's crown, at least on the West Side Of Manhattan, hearing it compared to, well the casino and the Hudson Yards rezoning plan compared to the High Line and the Whitney Museum and Hudson River Park And Little Island, I kind of sensed a ripple of dissonance about, you know, what on this list, what does not belong on this list because it is so different.
2:59:43
You know, the Hudson Yards is mostly inside and in terms of experience, it is very different from the Whitney Museum and the High Line and Hudson River Park And Little Island.
3:00:00
And, over the years that I've been here and involved with the High Line, yes, you know we've seen many changes as other people have expressed here.
3:00:11
I am not opposed to change.
3:00:13
I am not opposed to development.
3:00:16
You know these are good things, but they need to be worked on carefully.
3:00:22
And this is not the right plan.
3:00:24
This is not the right way.
3:00:26
This is the kind of thing that Jane Jacobs for example who sometimes is dismissed as nostalgic or overly idealistic.
3:00:38
I think that dismissiveness is incorrect because she was about working on plans and involving communities.
3:00:48
So, I hope you'll all oppose this proposal and thank you for your time today.