- Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez presented today his vision for the Inwood rezoning plan ahead of the hearing by the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises tomorrow, July 10th. He shared his priorities of keeping longtime residents in their homes through the preservation of affordable housing and creation of new affordable units; protecting small businesses; leading in tech and STEM education; celebrating diversity through investments in Arts, Culture and CBOs; and nourishing green spaces.
The council member presented the following five areas of priorities with detailed proposals on how to achieve them.
"Keeping our Families in their Homes"
- Preserve existing affordable units for working families
- Create new affordable units on city-owned and private land to increase affordable housing stock
- Include District 10 in "Certificate of No Harassment" (CONH) pilot program requiring landlords to obtain CONH before granting permit for work on property
- Develop and coordinate a comprehensive anti-displacement strategy through City's Partners in Preservation Initiative
- Increase funding for the legal services organizations delivering the program services in Community Board 12 (including Marble Hill)
"Protecting our Small Businesses"
- Extend Neighborhood 360° grant program to support existing Inwood businesses
- Create Small Business Investment Fund for small loans to stimulate business growth
- Develop first of its kind affordable commercial space and model with minimum 10 year leases
- Restrict size of retail spaces
"Leading in Tech and STEM Education"
- Create a Technology Hub at the George Washington Educational Campus with STEM programs and training
- Develop a new small business incubator in Inwood for tech start-ups
- Expand STEM programs in District 6 public schools
- Create a high quality K-8 school in Community School District 6
- Align education and training resources to local hiring needs, particularly in the health technologies
- Establish an Adult Literacy Center
"Celebrating our Diversity through Investments in Arts, Culture and CBOs"
- Create an Immigrant Research and Performing Arts Center
- Create an Inwood Community Service Fund for local CBOs providing services in CB 12
- Expand community services and establish a one stop service center
- Establish fund for local sports organizations
"Nourishing Our Green Spaces"
- Upgrade and condition sports fields to expand and strengthen sports programming for children of working families
- Renovate pier and community dock at Dyckman Street
- Renovate various playgrounds in the community
- Improve safety at our parks with more resources and Parks Enforcement Patrol officers
Conversations about the Inwood rezoning started three years ago. The final proposal is coming to a vote at the City Council in early August.
