Jabril Jallo supports Canarsie Pier ferry
The Flossie Organization founder says Canarsie's waterfront has unrealized potential; two mayoral administrations failed to deliver; he urges passage of Intro 704 to revitalize the pier and reconnect families.
Good afternoon, Chair Maloney and Council Members.
My name is Jabril Jallo, and I'm the founder and executive director of the Flossie Organization.
And I am here today in strong support of Intro 704, introduced by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, to establish a ferry at Canarsie Pier.
For Canarsie, this is much more than transportation.
It's about reclaiming our waterfront.
Expanding recreational opportunities for working families, and ensuring our community receives its fair share of public investment.
Canarsie sits along the beautiful shores of the Jamaica Bay with one of Brooklyn's most extraordinary waterfront assets right in our backyard.
Yet for decades, we have failed to realize the full recreational, economic, and community potential for our beautiful pier.
Historically, Canarsie was a vibrant waterfront destination where families gathered to enjoy boating and ferry connections along the Jamaica Bay.
The waterfront was a place where neighbors gathered and children played, and generations of families created lasting memories.
Today, much of that vibrancy has disappeared.
A waterfront should be much more than a beautiful view.
It should be a place where families can spend an afternoon, children can explore, seniors can gather, and neighbors can connect with one another.
Two consecutive mayoral administrations recognize the need for ferry service in Canarsie.
acknowledge the importance of connecting our community, and ultimately both failed to deliver.
Today, we urge the council to advance and pass Intro 704 and make a clear legislative commitment to establishing regular public ferry service to the Canarsie Pier.
Let this hearing mark the beginning of a new chapter for Canarsie, one defined by, not by unfulfilled promises, but by progress.
Establish the ferry, revitalize the pier, reconnect our families to the waterfront.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to testify and your consideration of Intro 704.
Thank you.
I want to thank you all for your testimony and thank you to Disability in Action in particular for your advocacy and highlighting some of the concerns that will need to be addressed by EDC and in the next RFP.
Any questions from the council members?
Thank you very much.