NEW YORK

STATE
SENATE

 

SENATOR MICHAEL N. GIANARIS
DISTRICT

DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER

November 26, 2019

James Patchett, President

New York City Economic Development Corporation
One Liberty Plaza

New York, New York 10006

Dear President Patchett:

I am reaching out with serious concerns about the Sunnyside Yards planning process.
The New York City Economic Development Corporation?s (EDC) has not embraced a
democratic process in implementing public input that prioritizes environmental and social
justice. Instead, our community feels this is yet another mega?project that inures to the benefit of
developers leading to further gentrification and displacement.

The planning process thus far has included some public input, but that input does not
appear to be re?ected in the public facing materials released about the project and rather tinkers
around the edges providing a few token benefits. This project should be approached with a
community?first perspective, with the priority being affordable housing, adequate green space,
more school seats, and the transformative transportation options western Queens needs. The
planning process has also left out any discussion of how the project will be paid for and what
efforts are being undertaken to ensure the resiliency of the site Amtrak?s own studies have
shown the New York region of the Northeast Corridor especially vulnerable to the long?term
impacts of climate change.

Additionally, NYCEDC has invited me to be a member of the steering committee.
Despite never accepting the invitation, my name and office has appeared on various publications

DISTRICT OFFICE: a'l-IO NEWTOWN AVENUE. SUITE 102 0 ASTORIA, NEW YORK 0 PHONE: ITISI 728?0000 0 FAX: 728-000:
ALBANY OFFICE: ROOM 427 STATE CAPITOL. 0 ALBANY. NEW YORK I221I7 0 PHONE: HIM 
GIANARISUI NYSENATECOV




and documents related to the project without my approval. I ask that you do not include my
name on any documents or imply my assent for this process without my direct approval.

This community is in serious need of major investments but not more luxury real
estate. Affordable housing, infrastructure, schools, and transportation are critical to the future of
western Queens. Do not squander the opportunity to use this process and this project to further
those goals. You cannot do that without embracing a truly democratic process.

Sincerely,
?1

Senator Michael Gianaris
Deputy Majority Leader