What are candidates for city office saying?

How would you testify for or against the 250 Water Street project?

This controversial tower project in the South Street Seaport Historic District, nearly four times taller than zoning allows, was sent back to the drawing board this month by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Maron called the issue “complicated” because the developer has also promised to save the struggling South Street Seaport Museum but “we don’t need mega-towers that loom over historic districts.” Winbush worried about the impact of construction of tall towers on two nearby schools, and Marte noted that “I’m the only candidate” who has been working with the Seaport Coalition and testifying to defeat the project. Li, whose boss Margaret Chin supports the towers, called the towers too tall and should come with more community benefits. But she was the only candidate who said she would not support limiting development to within the current 120-foot zoning height limit.

What do you think of the current plan for development of Governors Island?

The rezoning plan for a section of the island south of the historic district would allow many types of development that is restricted under current zoning. Li called the plan “problematic,” Maron said she has “a lot of concerns” and Marte said he opposes it. Low would “go with what the community wants.” For Winbush, “the current proposal to overdevelop it would take away all of the benefits provided to District 1 and beyond.”  

 Candidate Forum: NYC City Council District 1, January 24, 2021 - 

Hear from candidates Christopher Marte, Jenny Low, Gigi Li, Maud Maron and Tiffany Winbush as they vie for your vote for New York City Council, District 1, in the election to be held June 22, 2021