Outside were some Smith tenant association boy cotters who did not go in to the meeting. They said "They will use the signatures to tell HUD, which is the agency responsible for validating this process that they have consulted with the residents. We are trying to delay the process to allow for more input from our residents."
We went in but did not sign in when asked. About 75 people were there and about 50 were Chinese speaking people listening to translators, about 25 Spanish speaking people & a the few rest were native English speakers . They listened intently and had only a few questions. No one was rowdy.
The NYCHA people that got up to speak basically spoke on how they lost money and are in debt and that's why they have to lease the land to public developers to build on NYCHA grounds.
They said the plan will not
Not increase rent for NYCHA residents as a result of the new building development
Not demolish public housing apartments
Not displace NYCHA families
Not privatize any NYCHA public housing – NYCHA will still be the landlord
Not sell NYCHA land ; NYCHA will own the land under the new buildings
Not result in job losses or increased work requirements for NYCHA personnel
My personal thoughts are that the projects in the Lower East Side and along the FDR Drive have always been eyed at by developers for some years now. They now realize it's prime real estate next to the waterfront, all 3 bridges, City Hall, South St Seaport, World Financial District, & Police Headquarters. It all starts with the building of private housing on NYCHA playgrounds and parking lots. What's next? Whose next? - Six Lowa
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| Tammy Castillo Family, Six Lowa, Smith TA President Aixa Torres |
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| Smith Resident boycotters |
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| LES bases artist Six Lowa doubts what they're saying |
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| Smith TA boycotters |
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| Smith resident Randy voices his opinion |
