Office for Rent Archives - Canarsie Courier

September 24, 2024

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Floyd Bennett Field Lease Renewal Sparks Community Outrage as Government Disregards Its Citizens

The recent renewal of the Floyd Bennett Field (FBF) lease, permitting the site to house over 2,000 migrants for another year, has provoked widespread outrage among community members and local leaders. Despite months of protests, petitions, and rallies, the State and Local administration has extended the lease, a move that many say disregards the voices and concerns of residents from neighborhoods like Marine Park, Canarsie, Mill Basin, Bergen and Gerritsen Beach. Assemblymember Jaime Williams, who has been at the forefront of the opposition, expressed her frustration with the city’s decision. "This ill-advised decision to place men, women, and children in a dangerous flood zone with no resources is no less unconscionable today than it was when originally conceived," Williams stated. She pointed out the overwhelming community objection, noting that over 5,000 people signed a petition against the renewal. "Our community and surrounding neighborhoods came out in force, but our objections were ignored by city and state leaders." At a recent rally to oppose the lease renewal, Assemblymember Michael Novakhov also voiced his frustration with the city’s handling of the crisis. "The renewal of the lease at FBF to house illegal migrants is a slap in the face to our community," Novakhov said. "Despite overwhelming opposition from residents, the city and state continue to pour taxpayer dollars into a failed, short-term solution. We've already spent over a billion dollars with no clear plan for an end to this crisis. Our priority should be addressing root causes, not perpetuating policies that burden our neighborhoods." Former Councilmember Ari Kagan, another attendee at the rally, criticized the misuse of FBF, which was originally designated as a recreational space, where the city has sunk over a billion dollars of taxpayer money. "FBF was never meant to serve as a shelter for illegal migrants, and renewing this lease disregards the voices of local residents, and time to listen to our citizens who care deeply about public safety and fiscal responsibility," Kagan said. Ron “Ronbo” Canterino, Chairman of New Yorkers First and the Coalition for Better Communities, discussed the community’s ongoing efforts to oppose the renewal “ it is a blatant disregard for the community’s united opposition. FBF is not equipped for housing and is not safe for anyone to live in, especially during the winter when it floods. It’s a national park, not a shelter," he said, adding concerns about safety, illegal activity, the destruction of the local environment and threats to the communities. Bren Lee, founder of the STOP FLOYD BENNETT ILLEGAL MIGRANTS Facebook group, echoed the sentiments of the other speakers. "The decision to renew this lease without considering the voices of those who call this place home is a profound disappointment and a new level of disrespect, reflecting major disregard for the fabric of our community, As the lease renewal moves forward, the community remains committed to fighting what they believe is an unjust and unsafe use of the park's natural resources, and has turned their neighborhoods into migrant havens at the cost of taxpayers.