In Support of 100% Affordable Housing at 5 World Trade Center

On July 27, 2021, DID membership approved a resolution In Support of 100% Affordable Housing at 5 World Trade Center

Read the Resolution

The following letter was included with the resolution:

July 27, 2021

Hon. Andrew Cuomo
New York State Governor

Brian Kavanagh
New York State Senator

Hon Kathleen Hochul
New York State Lt Governor

Yuh-Line Niou
New York State Assembly Member

Carl Heastie
New York State Assembly Speaker

Thomas DiNapoli
New York State Comptroller

Andrea Stewart-Cousins
New York State Senate Leader

Patrick Foye
President, Empire State Development Corporation

Rick Cotton
Executive Director, Port Authority of NY & NJ

Holly M. Leicht
Chair, Lower Manhattan Development Corporation

Dear Officials, 

Enclosed please find a Resolution approved by Downtown Independent Democrats General Membership on July 27th 2021:

In Support of 100% Affordable Housing at 5 WTC 

After September 11, 2001, New Yorkers called for construction of desperately needed affordable housing in Lower Manhattan.Yet, despite tens of billions spent and promises made by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), not one new affordable housing complex was built. 5 World Trade Center represents the last chance. 

However, rather than finally building Affordable Housing at 5WTC, the LMDC and the Port Authority are instead seeking to authorize an 80-story luxury residential tower on public land, at the site of the former 40-story Deutsche Bank building. For over a decade, led by Lower Manhattan housing advocate Tom Goodkind, local residents advocated for the last remaining World Trade Center lot to be fully affordable and include housing opportunities for 9/11 survivors and their families, first responders, and seniors. 

September 11 had many repercussions -- including loss of life, illnesses, and psychological effects -- that placed many New Yorkers and local residents in dire need of affordable housing. The 25% ratio pledged for this building is not sufficient in light of the need. 

THEREFORE, DID as members of the Coalition call for:

  • 5WTC to be 100% affordable housing, including preference for the responders and survivors, and their children, of the September 11 terrorist attacks which includes residents of Chinatown and the Lower East Side,  as well as TriBeCa, FiDi and BPC, all of which are constituents served by DID.
  • Additional community representatives to be included on any Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and the community advisory process to include regular meetings, be transparent and open to the public.
  • Our electeds to support this initiative and invite them to engage with the Coalition for 100% Affordability at 5WTC, and help achieve our objective before the 20th anniversary of 9/11/2001. (https://www.affordable5wtc.com)

Sincerely,

Richard Corman

President, Downtown Independent Democrats

Enclosure

cc: 

Hon. Bill de Blasio, NYC Mayor
Hon. Jumaane Williams, NYC Public Advocate
Hon. Scott Stringer, NYC Comptroller
Hon. Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough President
Hon. Corey Johnson, NYC Council Speaker
Hon. Margaret Chin, NYC Council Member
Hon. Carlina Rivera, NYC Council Member
Hon. Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator
Hon. Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator
Hon. Carolyn Maloney, U.S. Representative
Hon. Jerrold L. Nadler, U.S. Representative
Hon. Nydia Velázquez, U.S. Representativ

Hon. Brad Hoylman, NY State Senator
Hon. Harvey Epstein, NY State Assembly
Hon. Deborah J. Glick, NY State Assembly
Tammy Meltzer, Chair, Manhattan Community Board 1
Jeannine Kiely, Chair, Manhattan Community Board 2
Alysha Lewis-Coleman, Chair, Manhattan Community 3