STATEMENT BY DEBI ROSE
ON THE STATEN ISLAND HOMEPORT ACTION PLAN
N.Y.C. Economic Development
Corporation public hearing
3/20/01
Good evening. My name is Debi Rose. I come before you today
as a community activist and leader for over 25-years, as a member of Community
Board #1 on the North Shore and as a candidate for the 49th City
Council district this year.
First, I want to finally thank the N.Y.C. Economic
Development Corporation for conducting a public hearing to get the input of the
elected officials, businesses and residents of Staten Island on the future of
the Stapleton Homeport. I believe that it is fair to say that the City’s
redevelopment efforts and process has been sorely lacking in providing public
input and review and is an example of what can go wrong with the City’s
development process. Second, members of the public have been put at a distinct
disadvantage in that we have not been given access to the full redevelopment
study and I request tonight that it be widely provided for public review.
In the over six years since its closing the Homeport
has undergone at least two studies, two request for proposals, numerous
outreach activities, all costing up to one million dollars, to find a suitable
reuse of this former naval base – with no success. This is despite the
successful efforts nationwide to find reuses for closed military bases –
including Philadelphia, Long Beach, CA, Charleston, S.C. and even in Bayonne,
NJ. I will not attempt - nor do I probably have the time - to recount the
numerous proposals that have been floated for the Homeport since 1994.
Tonight I am here to express my thoughts on the proposed
Homeport Action Plan and the future of the Homeport. According to publish
reports the consultants retained by the Economic Development Corporation are
proposing a mixed use development with over 500 residential units, 130,000 sq.
feet of commercial retail space, a 50 room hotel and a 10 acre waterfront park.
It is my understanding that the project would take 7-10 years in three phases
and requires a total of approximately $135 million in private and public
investment. In addition the project calls for the rezoning the Homeport from
manufacturing to commercial and residential uses.
I agree with several points made by the proposed plan.
First, the City must invest capital dollars to demolish the Homeport as it
currently exists if any future development is to move forward. We do need to
start from scratch with this property in order to be successful and to stave
off the ghosts that seem to haunt this location. Second, additional
infrastructure improvements are needed, including the mapping of Front Street
as well as improvements in access on surrounding streets and the S.I. Railroad
Stapleton station. Third, the City needs to undertake a rezoning of the
property to commercial and light manufacturing but not residential. Fourth, I
support that potential placement of a small to mid-sized niche or themed hotel
in the area. Fifth, any development must meet the historic and character of the
Stapleton community and seek to improve the surrounding area and not denigrate
it. Lastly, waterfront access and park is an absolute in any redevelopment plan
as extension of North Shore Greenbelt. As I have said before, we live on an
Island but the North Shore lacks sufficient access to its waterfront areas.
Now for my disagreements with the proposed plan. First, I
believe that residential development should not be a part of any future
redevelopment at the Homeport. Staten Island today is in a fight against
overdevelopment and unplanned development. I have called for a Comprehensive
Planning study of the North Shore and without studying the potential impacts of
over 500 new units of housing in the Stapleton area on our schools, traffic,
emergency services, I can not support any residential component of the plan at
this time. Second, I disagree with the consultant’s analysis that this
site could not support a more retail components or entertainment/recreational
activities. I believe the North Shore is dying for this type of development.
That is why one of the plans previously submitted for the Homeport had such
widespread community support. I would ask that this area not be eliminated from
future study. Lastly, we must develop a better working relationship between the
City/EDC and the Staten Island community to insure that the our voices are not
only heard but also respected as this redevelopment progresses. I have learned
one thing in my twenty-five years of community service and work on community
issues, without the support and input of the community – any project will
fail.
I only hope that you will take these concerns seriously as
you further consider this plan. I am willing to work with EDC and the community
to find acceptable alternative for this important location. Thank you.
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