Please Listen to Our Community And Say Yes to Freedom Plaza

Dear Lawmaker,

I am writing to express my unwavering support for Freedom Plaza – a transformational plan that meets the moment for this historic opportunity for our Manhattan.

The design of this project reflects the life of this community, integrating local feedback and ongoing engagement with key institutions across Midtown East. Its vision for community investment and inclusive economic growth will provide lasting benefits for the neighborhood, working people, and our local economy.

This project is being proposed by family-owned businesses – with local and regional roots. They have a proven and lengthy track record for partnership – with local governments, community and civic organizations, and their neighbors in the communities in which they operate. Four generations of the Soloviev family have resided in the neighborhood, underscoring their deep local ties, and the Mohegan Tribe has claimed this region home for centuries.

They are bringing urgently needed new & affordable housing, expansive publicly accessible open space, far-reaching economic development, and significant community investment in the public good that will have positive local and citywide impacts.

Freedom Plaza will bring urgently needed new & affordable housing, expansive publicly accessible open space, far-reaching economic development, and significant community investment in the public good that will have positive local and citywide impacts.

Here are the benefits I care about that I hope you consider in assessing Freedom Plaza:

1. Housing: More than 1,000 units of new housing, including more than 500 affordable units.
2. Public Green Space: Approximately 5 acres of public open space with views of the East River, a children’s play area, dog run, open-air amphitheater, multiple recreational, social and cultural environments for all ages, and a Museum for Freedom and Democracy that will serve as a hub for community convenings.
3. Community Investment: More than $250 million pledged over the next twenty years in annual support for local and citywide nonprofits – administered by the National Urban League and governed by an independent board of community leaders.
4. Community Benefits: Police substation on property, daycare facility, neighborhood food market, and community-oriented dining and retail.
5. Economic Development and Job Growth: The $11.1 billion investment will lead to the creation of 17,000 union jobs and will generate $3.2 billion in annual economic output.
6. Environmental Sustainability: The project is targeting LEED Gold Certification, aiming for net-zero carbon development, utilizing the East River for sustainable heating and cooling and including significant electric vehicle infrastructure.

I urge you to listen to our whole community – those of us looking for affordable housing, for good jobs, for a new destination that will revitalize the economic well being of Midtown East, and for massive new investments in community benefits that will deliver hundreds of millions in support to our neighborhood and city.

Thank you for your consideration,

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