UPDATED: REALIZE HUDSON RISE BENEFIT A SUCCESS!

by Joelle Panisch

Supporters of the proposed Hudson Rise, a smarter alternative for the city’s space to house it’s garbage trucks and salt shed, held a benefit last night to raise funds and awareness. The turnout was great for a rainy Thursday. In addition to the many district #2 residents in attendance were political supporters such as Margaret Chin, Yetta Kurland and most notably mayoral candidate William Thompson as the keynote speaker.

Said Thompson “[it is] cheaper for the city of New York, is environmentally sound, and adds to the community. […] I promise you that if I become Mayor of New York your project, The Hudson Rise, will happen. It’s smarter, its better, it is good for the community and we should use it as a model and replicate it across the city of New York and involve other communities in the planning of their own neighborhood.”

Organizer Rosemary Kuropat applauded Thompson for his support and endorsed him for his mayor. Kuropat was also extremely critical of the Bloomberg administration saying, “It doesn’t matter to the Bloomberg administration what the community thinks. […] What matters to the Bloomberg administration is what Mike Bloomberg thinks.”

Actor John Slattery spoke fervently about the plan as well. “It’s cheaper. It’s more sustainable. It’s more responsible. It takes into account the people who live here who are not saying ‘take it out of our neighborhood.’ We are saying, ‘Not only will we take the garage for the district we are in. but for another district also.’ [...] It’s not an alternative idea to turn it into a park. It’s the same sanitation facility done better with green space on top of it.”

Also in attendance were local celebrities such as Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, and actress Talia Balsam.

For more on the Hudson Rise go to www.realizehudsonrise.com.