July 12, 2005

Neighborhoods and Jobs

The New York Industrial Retention Network released a report recently calling for the preservation of New York’s manufacturing base. The report was a response to a Manhattan Institute study that suggested eliminating many of the major manufacturing districts to create market-rate housing. Both studies focus largely on the outer boroughs – because this displacement has largely already happened throughout Manhattan.

During the course of this campaign we’ve talked a lot about how Manhattan is rapidly becoming an outdoor mall for millionaires. How the working class is being forced out because we no longer have affordable housing. How small businesses and manufacturing are being forced out because commercial rents are skyrocketing. If we are going to sustain Manhattan’s diversity – the reason we all choose to live here – we can’t let this continue to happen. We need good jobs, we need affordable housing and we need to fight for them.

We must be more creative with our zoning – there are ways we can zone for districts in which we both build affordable housing and create good, union jobs. In the years my opponents have been in office the tide has turned against us. Our borough has become too expensive, and the working and middle class is leaving. It is not too late to keep Manhattan diverse, but we must act now.

I also want to take this opportunity to mention another issue on the topic of development in the wrong direction. It’s been awhile since Wal-Mart has been in the news in New York City. Strong community organizing derailed their plans for a store in Rego Park earlier this year.

This was a victory, but the fight is far from over.

The company is regrouping, and will continue to make efforts at opening stores throughout the City – including in Manhattan. We know that when Wal-Mart opens, communities suffer. Workers are paid significantly less - on average at least $2 an hour less – than workers in grocery stores and other retail stores, particularly ones that are unionized. An estimated 70% of Wal-Mart’s 1 million workers are forced to get health insurance through Medicaid or other taxpayer funded programs. The company has been the subject of extended gender discrimination lawsuits. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

If Wal-Mart stopped fighting employee attempts to form unions and began sharing some of the $9 billion in profits with the people who built the company, they might find themselves more welcome in the discussion of New York’s development. But as long as their current practices persist, we will fight them every step of the way. It’s something for them to think about as they prepare new plans to move into the City.

Brian

Posted by John at July 12, 2005 10:11 AM

Comments

Posted by: jesse at July 12, 2005 11:12 AM