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As our City works to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, I want to thank the many residents of my district who have dedicated time and resources to help those in need – both in our neighborhoods and throughout the five boroughs.  Your efforts are inspiring and represent the spirit and compassion of our community.

For many years, I have been calling for mitigation measures such as storm surge barriers to protect our waterfront neighborhoods from rising sea levels and intensifying storm surges.  As recently as September 29, I wrote to the Mayor’s Office of Long Term Planning & Sustainability urging the City to more aggressively pursue such measures.  After the immediate recovery from Hurricane Sandy, we will need to work together to craft long-term plans to prevent the kinds of damage to our City’s vulnerable neighborhoods and infrastructure that we are facing today.

On September 24, my office learned that significant structural damage to the eastern wall of the public school building at 420 East 12 Street led to the evacuation of its co-located schools:  East Side Community High School (ESCHS) and Girls Prep Lower East Side Middle School.  Since that time I have been working with my colleagues in government, the New York City Department of Education (DOE), the School Construction Authority (SCA), parents and other school stakeholders to secure appropriate temporary relocation of the schools and ensure that essential repair work on the building’s eastern wall is completed in an expeditious and safe manner. 

In early July, it came to my attention that a demolition application had been filed with the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) for 186 Spring Street, part of a rare row of surviving federal-style houses that were deemed eligible for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places as part of the South Village Historic District.  I was disappointed when the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) rejected the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation’s (GVSHP) request that the building be landmarked on the grounds that it “lacks the requisite architectural integrity” and was even more upset by that determination when I and many others learned or were reminded of the building’s historical and cultural significance in connection to Lesbi

On September 19, I joined New York State Senator Daniel Squadron and New York State Assemblymember Dick Gottfried, who spearheaded legislation mandating the creation of a task force on how to close major holes in the safety code at hundreds of state-owned buildings throughout New York City, in calling for that body’s recommendations to be implemented immediately.  The New York City/New York State Task Force on Building and Fire Safety, led by Fire Department City of New York Commissioner Sal Cassano and New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jerome

On September 11, I submitted testimony to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) opposing a proposed nine-story hotel at 27 East 4th Street, within the NoHo Historic District and directly adjacent to the Merchant’s House Museum, which is an interior and exterior New York City Landmark.  I stressed my deep concerned that demolition, excavation and significant construction at the site could damage Merchant’s House and urged LPC not to seriously consider approval of this application unless and until the developer undertakes a comprehensive assessment of potential damages and takes all necessary preventative measures.  I also echoed Manhattan Community Board 2’s concern that the proposed building is out of character with the East 4th Street block and is out of c

On August 7, I joined the New York Police Department’s 20th Precinct, as well as the leaders and members of the precinct’s Community Council, in observance of National Night Out Against Crime.  The event, held in Verdi Square Park, was a great example of the neighborhood coming together to honor the work that the 20th Precinct does for our community.  I was pleased to join so many Upper West Side residents, including many children who came with their families.  The youth in particular remind us that we need to be continually working together to improve our neighborhood’s safety.  The event was fun for all ages, and I thank Deputy Inspector Brian McGinn and all of the dedicated public servants of the 20th Precinct for putting it together and for all they do to keep us

On July 25, I submitted testimony at the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) public hearing on its 2013 Draft Annual Plan, expressing my deep concerns over several aspects of the plan, including the lack of transparency in the agency’s controversial revenue-generating proposals, the failure to adequately address the backlog in crucial repairs and basic maintenance, and the agency’s inhumane policies and procedures for moving residents who live in under-occupied units.  Please see my testimony attached.

File: 
2013 NYCHA Draft Plan Testimony - Duane.pdf

On June 28th, I was honored to speak at the Health Care for All New Yorkers rally in celebration of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision upholding the federal Affordable Care Act.  It was indeed a historic day.  The Supreme Court’s decision will ensure affordable health care for millions of Americans, including 3 million previously uninsured young people who can stay on their parents’ plans until age 26 and those who had previously been denied coverage because of preexisting conditions. And it will ensure no more annual or lifetime caps on benefits.