Resounding “No” to Silicon Alley;
Mayor’s “Tech Hub” Proposal Expected to
Move Ahead in January
On Wednesday, over 150 people showed up for a rally protesting plans by the Mayor and developers to turn the Village and East Village, between Union Square and Astor Place, into an extension of Midtown’s “Silicon Alley,” replete with 300+ ft. tall office towers and luxury condos and 300+ room hotels, all of which are being built in the area now. We sent a strong message to the Mayor that we want zoning and/or landmark protections for this area, which he has continued to oppose, to protect its scale and residential character, and encourage the preservation and retention of affordable housing (a supposed priority of the Mayor’s). See video of the rally, pictures, the press release, and coverage in Globe St., Curbed, Bedford+Bowery, Patch, and EV Grieve.
The need for such protections is made even more urgent by the Mayor’s plan to seek approval from the Borough President and the City Council for a massive new "Tech Hub" on the edge of this area on 14th Street near 4th Avenue, which, without these protections, would accelerate the inappropriate development in this area greatly. The Mayor is expected to begin the public approval process for that plan in January.
Here’s how you can help:
Tell him to stop blocking sensible zoning protections for this area.
Tell her that she MUST condition any support for the 14th Street Tech Hub on zoning protections for the adjacent residential neighborhood (she currently supports the Tech Hub without these protections).
Thank the Councilmember-elect for this district for publicly pledging that she would make her support of the Tech Hub conditional upon protections for the surrounding neighborhood, and tell her you will stand with her to fight to get such protections!
See vparchive.gvshp.org/savemyneighborhood for more information.
Next: 02/16/18
Previous: 08/10/17
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