Freedom Plaza’s casino invests in community

As a person who deeply believes in the power of equal opportunities, inclusive development and community reinvestment, I am proud to approve Freedom Plaza – a visionary proposal in the Casino offer from New York State just in the South of the United Nations along the East river which promises to take up the most pressing challenges in New York by integrating housing, open to the east.

During my mandate as mayor of New Orleans (1994-2002), I saw in the first hand how much the thoughtful civic investment-ranging from the expansion of the Congress Center and the Sports Areas to the construction of a Casino in the city center-can trigger an economic revival, limit violent crimes and increase the quality of life.

Under my direction, violent crimes fell by almost 60%, the unemployment rate has been reduced by half and the city obtained national distinctions such as the All-American City price and the City Livability Award. This record was not spontaneous; It was the result of daring choices, solid partnerships and an unshakable commitment to equity.

As CEO of the National Urban League, I was proud to defend economic policies and inclusive projects across the country, including our new Empowerment Center of the 17 -story urban league in Harlem.

The same philosophy Guide Freedom Plaza. With more than 1,000 new residences – including more than 500 affordable units permanently within the framework of the compulsory housing program in New York – this project is addressed concretely to the housing crisis, the unlocking of the working paths for workers families and direct access to a park of 4.77 acres of Freedom Plaza will occur an autonomous and inclusive neighborhood center.

What makes this initiative even more convincing is its integrated economic promise. Freedom Plaza is expected to create 8,000 permanent union jobs and thousands of others during construction – family maintenance positions rooted in solid work partnerships.

The emphasis on minority entrepreneurs will share growth. My experience in New Orleans and the National Urban League has reaffirmed that projects anchored in living wages and local hiring catalyze the ascending mobility, the differences in close racial wealth and the stabilization of the neighborhoods.

Beyond employment and housing, Freedom Plaza will become a dynamic cultural destination anchored by a powerful artistic program, a museum and a community center. Just as I defended access to the arts of New Orleans and that I directed the Conference of American Mayors in support of the vitality of the arts, I recognize the role of creativity, public celebration and well-being in the cement of identity and the resilience of a community.

By offering a significant interest in the evolution of this project to create large-scale places, which includes the development of necessary housing, a huge destination park and a hub for hospitality, catering and entertainment in Midtown Manhattan, this project goes beyond rhetoric.

Perhaps even more important, Freedom Plaza hires at least $ 5 million a year to a community reinvestment fund dedicated to civic, educational, environmental and justice programs, with the surveillance of an independent community advisory council, these funds will honor local priorities – embellishment festivals and arts to the development of youth, durability and support for the supporters.

If Freedom Plaza is progressing, the National Urban League will associate itself with helping to administer this fund, providing our network of 90 affiliates and decades of experience in the community investment to be carried. We understand that sustainability does not concern short -term gains; It is a question of strengthening the institutional capacity to support families, entrepreneurs and civic life long after the ribbon cup.

Critics will undoubtedly raise concerns: the scale, traffic, gentrification or if such a project really serves the community. My answer is rooted in experience: daring development does not have to move – it can increase. With affordable housing, living salary jobs, accessible public space and robust community governance integrated into its DNA, Freedom Plaza is not simply a development, it is a plan for fair growth.

As a person who helped guide New Orleans thanks to economic renewal and champions in the same way at the National Urban League, has gone around the scale on public security and cultural projects of several million dollars anchored, I recognize the complexity of the balance of vision, community trust and real impact. I also know when ambition is rooted in equity, and when growth is anchored by solidarity, remarkable transformations follow.

Freedom Plaza is a promised land that we can continue together.

Morial is president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League and was mayor of New Orleans from 1994 to 2002.