Council Member Restler remarks on 289 Kent Avenue context

I now recognize Councilmember Ressa for remarks.

Sorry, they keep coming back to me.

Thank you very much, Chair Lewis.

As my colleagues know and the public knows well, thank you so much, Sergeant.

We rezoned the Greenpoint-Williamsburg waterfront many years ago and have allowed for very large density immediately on the water on the west side of Kent Avenue.

And now we are kind of gradually seeing more and more proposals to upzone the east side of Kent Avenue, including this industrial site, which makes a great deal of sense.

You know, immediately across the street from this location, you have the domino buildings, which are, I don't know, 50, 60, 70 stories tall.

And we can handle some meaningful residential density directly across the street.

Of course, there are some issues to work through.

But, you know, this site, in case anyone's wondering, is the former headquarters of Vice before they shut down.

So we miss them.

But hopefully we'll see some productive use here moving forward.

So look forward to hearing more from the applicant today and having a productive conversation.

Thank you, Council Member.

I will now call the applicant panel for this proposal, which consists of Jeremy Cozen and Toby Snyder.

Council, could you please administer the oath?

Good morning.

Could you please raise your right hand and state your name for the record?

Jeremy Cozen.

Toby Snyder.

Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth in your testimony this morning in response to council member questions?

I do.

Yes.

Thank you.

You may now begin your testimony, which is limited to 10 minutes.

You can start, but make sure that you restate your name and the name of your organization.

You may begin.