Councilmember Hanks supports 198-208 Richmond Terrace rezoning in St. George
Councilmember Kamillah Hanks speaks in support of the Richmond Terrace project, emphasizing workforce housing, proximity to transit, enhanced stormwater management, and the need for affordable housing to keep Staten Islanders on the North Shore.
Thank you, Chair.
Good morning again.
The North Shore is changing, and with that comes responsibility to make sure people who have invested their lives here are not left behind.
Because this is not simply...
About approving another building.
It is about creating the kinds of housing opportunities that allow working families, young professionals, and longtime Staten Islanders continue to build their futures here.
This proposal will bring 118 new apartments to St.
George, including permanently affordable workforce housing, along with community facility space that will serve the surrounding neighborhood.
Located near the ferry, public transportation, jobs, and local businesses, this is the type of location where new housing makes sense.
Throughout this process, my office has worked to ensure the project was strengthened with the final proposal that includes enhanced stormwater management, a rooftop green space, and a better response to the site's conditions and surrounding community.
We often talk about keeping Staten Islanders here, but that conversation has to include where they are going to live.
If we want our teachers, healthcare professionals, first responders, and young professionals to remain on Staten Island, we have to create housing they can actually afford.
With this said, no single project will solve all of our housing challenges, but this project moves us in the right direction.
by creating new rental opportunities, expanding workforce availability and affordability, and investing in continued growth of the North Shore.
I look forward to my colleagues supporting this project, and thank you so much, Chair.