February 3, 2005
Housing Here and Now
Brian, Ryan and I all marched and rallied yesterday at City Hall to support the new coalition Housing Here and Now, and to support increased affordable housing across the City, but particularly in Manhattan.
Manhattan is in the midst of a major housing crisis. Homelessness is at an all time high. Population is expanding, new housing construction is waning and the cost of rentals is skyrocketing.
The Mayor has implemented a housing plan that does a lot more than the past administration, but if you listen to the thousands upon thousands of voices at the rally yesterday it is clear that we just aren't doing enough – particularly in Manhattan.
We need to strive towards guaranteeing up to 30% permanently affordable housing in all new rezoning plans. (West Chelsea is the next major rezoning in Manhattan and Brian testified last month about the need for affordable housing in the neighborhood.)
We need to reclaim the Battery Park City Authority revenues that should be going towards building and preserving affordable housing. Last July, Brian was interviewed by the Nor'Easter, a blog devoted to NYC politics and culture. In that interview he called for the City to use the excess revenues generated by the BPCA as the City and State agreed for them to be used: namely to create housing that is affordable for low, moderate and middle income individuals and families. He reiterated that call again yesterday. It is a disgrace that the City has diverted these monies to funding other projects – the Mayor even proposed using those monies for the public contribution to the Jets Stadium!
It's clear that SCRIE (rent assistance for seniors) is an important program, and I think it makes sense to extend it to disabled residents. It's clear that slumlords still rule in some sections of the City. Tougher rent laws, more inspections and stiffer fines for violators may be in order. We heard stories yesterday about tenants waiting months for critical repairs to their homes – repairs which are supposed to happen within a day or two. A number of people also expressed concern about buildings leaving exiting rent-stabilization programs, and the need for more permanent housing for New Yorkers living with AIDS.
I think everyone knows that Brian is a native New Yorker. What you might not know is that he is a native New Yorker who grew up in rent-stabilized housing in Stuyvesant Town. Housing issues have been, and will continue to be one of the major concerns of this campaign. I want to close by sharing a quote from Brian's statement yesterday:
"I believe in the free market," Brian said, "but it is not in our best interest for Manhattan to become an island of millionaires. We all lose something vital if artists, teachers, writers, young people, families and seniors can no longer pay the rent here, and if our police officers and firefighters can't afford to live in the neighborhoods they protect."
John, E4M Policy Director
Posted by John at February 3, 2005 2:35 PM
January 25, 2005
Crisis on the C
I was shocked last night when I heard news from the MTA that the C Line could be out of commission for 3-5 years, and that A Lineservice would take weeks to restore.
This will have a disastrous effect on life and business in Manhattan.
It's very simple. Manhattan's residents and workers, indeed Manhattan's economy, depend upon an efficient and safe subway system. We have a reasonable expectation to expect such a system, but increasingly the MTA seems unable to provide basic levels of functionality.
I am especially concerned that one relatively small act of arson (whichappears to be accidental) could cripple an entire subway line for years. The potential devastation a targeted attack could cause is nearly unthinkable.
Last summer, we blogged about how David Gunn, the former head of the MTA who rebuilt the system in the 1980's and 1990's, was already warning about infrastructure insufficiencies and the potential return of the system to disrepair.
This incident underscores the fragility of the system, and how it becomes more and more vulnerable as wecontinue ignore or put off the basic infrastructure improvements we need. Nearly half a million people ride the A, C,and E every week andmany are now effectively stranded. The effects willbe most strongly felt on the West Side from Inwood to Lower Manhattan. But the full impact will be everywhere.
In light of Sunday's incident, the MTA needs to do a thorough review of its signaling systems, and we should begin replacing equipment that can shut down an entire line if it breaks. The Governor can no longer justify his shortchanging of transit funds for the City, and our leaders in the City and in Albany need to hold him accountable.
We are at a critical juncture in the history, and future, of our subways. We have a choice. Either we make tough decisions and invest in the maintenance and expansion we desperately need, allowing the system to grow to meet Manhattan's needs in the 21st century. Or we ignore the crisis and let the system sink into disrepairthat will result in adecrease in rider-ship and an increase in automobiles on our already over-crowded roads.
In a month, fares will again rise, and we will face more service cuts.
With strong and steadfast leadership, wecan end up with a system that reaches more neighborhoods, that runs frequently and reliably, that is clean and safe, and is affordable and accessible to all New Yorkers. In short, a visionary system of urban mass transportation.
Brian
Posted by John at January 25, 2005 2:36 PM
January 20, 2005
Budget Blues
Governor Pataki released his proposed budget for next year and Manhattan is short changed -- from health care to education to higher fees for higher education. Luckily there'll be a lot of time to discuss the proposals because New York State hasn't passed a budget on time for two decades.
One area worth paying special attention to is transit. The Governor proposed only $15 billion over five years for maintenance and upkeep to simply sustain the core of NYC's transit system. This is far less than what is needed, and the under-funding risks a return to the broken system of the 1980's, with potentially dire effects on the City's economy. (Plus, that number isn't accurate since it contains assumed Federal Aid and other projections; it could be even lower.)
We need do everything we can to sustain and grow our mass transit network. An affordable, efficient and expanded subway is good for the economy, it's good for the environment, and it's good for promoting new housing development. In short, it's good for Manhattan.
The Second Avenue Subway - a major priority for expanding the system and making Manhattan more mobile in the 21st century - isn't going to happen under the Pataki plan, and the fate of other transit projects is in jeopardy.
Subway riders have already been hit with two substantial fare increases in as many years, and have only gotten station booth closings and service cuts in exchange. We have to fight additional fare increases, fight for fair funding from the state and for the pivotal expansion projects we need. It isn't going to be easy, but the crises we are facing in affordability and infrastructure in Manhattan are reflected in our subways, and we must be vigilent in working to solve these fundamental problems.
John, E4M Policy Director
PS: Be sure to check out the great groups the Straphangers Campaign and Transportation Alternatives for all the latest on Transit-related news. And don't hesitate to comment below or email me at john@brianellner.com with any ideas about how to improve Manhattan!
Posted by John at January 20, 2005 2:37 PM
January 4, 2005
Happy New Year!
We had a great 2004 and 2005 is shaping up to be even better. We're going to continue running a positive and inspiring campaign, working for change on behalf of everyone who lives, works and visits Manhattan, but you're going to notice a few changes over the coming months reflecting the new electoral climate we've entered. The blog will be much more vibrant with more updates and some new faces; you'll see the campaign featured in more newspapers and magazines; we'll have more events; and there'll be many volunteer opportunities.
We'll be fighting against a stadium on Manhattan's West Side and fighting for fair funding for schools and mass transit in the City. We're going to be confronting the exploding crisis of affordability in housing, health care and higher education. We're going to fight for parks and preservation, and cleaner air and water and alternative sources of energy. And we're going to work to create jobs and a business climate conducive to small business and entrepreneurs.
We're going to fight hard, but we can't do it without you. Over the next few weeks please tell your friends and family about our campaign, sign up to volunteer and if you're able, please make a contribution. We file with the City's Campaign Finance Board on January 11, and this filing will be widely viewed as an early barometer of our strength. We're working hard every day to register a strong showing. Please help put us over the top!
Finally, we've had a blog posting up for the last week, asking everyone to give what they can to the tsunami disaster relief efforts in Southeast Asia. Thank you to all that have already given and for those that haven't I want to reiterate the dire need to give whatever you are able. I'd like to believe that this catastrophe could mark a turning point in world history – that this outpouring of support is more than a flash in the pan, and could be the beginning of a sustained awareness and engagement in the developing world, a wider and deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of economies, nations, and people.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims of this disaster - those who lost their lives, those who lost loved ones and those that lost their livelihood. Please join all of us at E4M in helping the disaster relief:
CARE
India Relief
International Rescue Committee
Médecins Sans Frontières International
Oxfam
I wish you all the best in the New Year, and look forward to working with you in the year ahead towards a better Manhattan.
Brian
Posted by John at January 4, 2005 2:38 PM
December 29, 2004
Help Tsunami Victims
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims of the devastating tsunami - those who lost their lives, those who lost loved ones and those that lost their livelihood.
The reports and images from Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia and other areas hit are absolutely heartbreaking. The death toll continues to rise, at the same time as the situation becomes increasingly dangerous with a lack of food, clothing, shelter and clean water.
As we mark the start of a new year, let's remember that for those survivors 2005 will be a year of rebuilding their communities and remembering the victims.
So as you celebrate the New Year, please make a contribution to an organization working to provide disaster relief. Give what you can. $5, $50 or $500 - every single bit will help. We've provided a short list of good organizations below for your convenience.
Brian
CARE
India Relief
International Rescue Committee
Oxfam
Posted by John at December 29, 2004 2:41 PM
December 14, 2004
Hudson Yards Hearing
Yesterday I attended a public hearing at City Hall, in which a Council subcommittee (on zoning and franchises) considered the Mayor's rezoning plan for Manhattan's Far West Side. I heard testimony from Deputy Mayor Doctoroff, City Planning Commissioner Andrea Burden, and Housing Commissioner Shaun Donovan, among many other City officials, representatives of civic groups and residents.
The Council is considering proposed zoning changes in and around Hudson Yards, effectively what type of development will be pursued, and the specific whereabouts. And while the proposed Jets Stadium was not officially on the agenda, it was certainly on everyone's minds. (Brian has been very vocal, and very clear, that he thinks putting a stadium at Hudson Yards is NOT in the best interests of Manhattan.)
There were hundreds of activists calling for more affordable housing there throughout the day, and many supporters of the current plan were there too.
The Council chambers were packed. That type of showing for a zoning hearing is quite exciting for me, and really shows how many New Yorkers know they will be affected by this plan, and how disturbed many are by the process under which it has unfolded.
All in all I must say that the Deputy Mayor and his team put together a very comprehensive presentation, touching upon, if not necessarily satisfying, many community concerns.
For me, the theme of the day was housing, and I wore my new, red "Affordable Housing Now!!!" t-shirt with pride. The City's plan for affordable housing in the Hudson Yards area has actually evolved, and they are now estimating about 2,600 apartments, with a possibility that it could rise to 3,100. I think that's good, but I also think we can do better. A little perspective comes from realizing that the number is a cumulative number over many years – in actuality we're looking at around 600 units added a year I believe. Also, this number is not guaranteed because the affordable housing component of the plan is satisfied through a process called "inclusionary zoning." That's when the City allows a developer to build with greater density in exchange for including a certain percentage of affordable housing. This is not mandatory, so in theory, it is possible, but probably unlikely, that every developer would just build the maximum allowed without the affordable housing bonus.
The City has made some assurances that these new properties will be as available to the people who already live in the neighborhood, as to those who are moving there, which is a good sign. We should also make sure that teachers, and artists and police officers and firefighters have the opportunity to live in the new Hudson Yards, and that non-profits that serve the community and new schools are a major part of the planning.
Halfway through the day, I joined a group of housing advocates on the steps of City Hall for a press conference with one overarching theme: New York needs more affordable housing, now. One thing that struck me was the immense geographic diversity of the crowd. Truly, this is an issue that is increasingly affecting people all over the Island, and all over the City. We've made strides in the right direction, but we must do so much more to ensure that everyone in this city has housing that is safe, secure and affordable.
John, Director of Policy, E4M
Posted by John at December 14, 2004 2:44 PM
November 22, 2004
Towards a Car Free Central Park
I was thrilled to learn of yesterday's joint press conference between the Departments of Parks and Transportation announcing sweeping changes in vehicular access to Central Park.
Beginning at the end of the month, and getting fully underway in January, the new plan will drastically reduce the number of cars passing through the Park.
Seven entrances and exits to the park will be permanently closed and the City will be removing asphalt and re-sodding the land at these entrances and exits, which goes a long way to demonstrating that the City is committed to making these changes permanent.
Cars will be banned from the park except for windows from 7AM-10AM and 3PM-7PM and a trial High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) program will go into effect on the West Drive, meaning that anyone wanting to drive through the Park will have to bring along at least one other person or risk a ticket.
These changes will make Central Park safer, promote increased recreational activity, and make transportation routes in the park friendlier for pedestrians and bicyclists. It is also another small step towards reducing traffic city-wide, a major goal of my campaign.
I applaud groups like Transportation Alternatives that have been at the forefront of working towards a Car-Free Central Park.
You might be interested to read a study that Transportation Alternatives, in conjunction with the Regional Plan Association, released last month suggesting that overall traffic would most likely decrease if Central Park were completely closed to cars.
This is a great development, and we should continue to work to reduce traffic in Central Park and across the City.
Brian
Posted by John at November 22, 2004 4:46 AM
