Councilwoman Rosie Mendez has released this statement regarding last night’s vote to approve the Seward Park redevelopment guidelines:
“Although the Seward Park Urban Renewal Area is not in my Council District, I want to add my voice to the many others in praise of a process that has resulted in guidelines for the land’s redevelopment. Anyone who has been involved in the Lower East Side community during almost half a century was aware of the controversy that left a huge parcel of highly valuable land standing idle for far too long. Over the years, very disparate opinions have sometimes been expressed with anger and a lack of respect, and it was not easy for all of that to be overcome. But the process which Community Board #3 began and which was open to broad participation by all aspects of the community, and was aided by City agencies and facilitated by a skilled urban planner, has resulted in a compromise. I join with many others who wish we could get even more affordable housing from the site, but salute all who were able to agree to find a middle ground to move a process forward.“
