Public testimony: Brigette Brantley demands accountability before new development

Thank you so much, Raphael, for your testimony.

We appreciate it.

We will now hear from Bridget.

You may begin.

Bridget?

Hi, I'm here.

Good afternoon.

My name is Bridget Brantley and I'm here today as a Bronx resident and a community advocate.

I want to address FRIPS directly because you are very aware of my stance.

Tenants have been raising concerns about conditions, repair, management, and how they have been treated for far too long.

The city has allowed these concerns to continue without enough accountability.

Fips, we have heard these promises before.

Tenants have been told you things which you have told tenants before.

Things would change.

Conditions would improve.

Yet people are still waiting.

So my question is simple.

How can you ask for something new when you have not fixed what is already broken?

And I also will also have to talk about where you are asking to build.

This is one of the poorest congressional districts in the country.

Many people, many of these people making these decisions are not from here and do not live the everyday reality of this neighborhood.

We have heard the statements about bringing income from somewhere else.

So I have to ask, who is this development really for?

Development in the Bronx should benefit the people who already live in the Bronx.

And before we talk about rezoning and expansion, deal with the complaints, deal with the violations, deal with the repairs, deal with the tenants asking to be heard.

And to every city council member listening, whether you represent my district or not, I hope you hear me loud and clear.

Listen to the constituents.

Listen to the tenants.

Do not let developers or management companies have louder voices than the people you were elected to represent.

This is not anti-development.

This is about accountability.

FITS, please fix what you already have been asking this community to trust you with.

Thank you.