Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Leaked NYC Council Redistricting Map Shows Roosevelt Island Stays In Manhattan Council District 5, Does Not Move To Queens District - Council Member Julie Menin Thrilled With New Map But Says Wait Until Official Map Released Tomorrow To Confirm

As reported last August 10:

Under a preliminary plan for NYC Council redistricting, Roosevelt Island and a sliver of the Upper East Side will be moved from NYC Council District 5 in Manhattan currently represented by Julie Menin to NYC Council District 26 in Queens currently represented by Julie Won....
During the Four Freedoms Democratic Club September 14 meeting held at the Sanctuary Events/Cafe on Roosevelt Island, NYC Council Member Julie Menin was asked about the status of the NYC Council redistricting plan. Ms Menin said that the new redistricting maps would be released on September 22 and that District 5 would lose some part of the current district. Ms Menin did not know what portion of her district would be lost.

 

 Yesterday, the the NY Times Twitterverse reported:

Today the Gotham Gazette Twitterverse adds:

This morning, I asked Council Member Julie Menin if she had any new info on the proposed NYC Council redistricting. Ms Menin replied:

I am going to reserve full comment for when the official maps are released Thursday, but I am thrilled that this leaked map restores Roosevelt Island, Sutton Place, and the Upper East Side to Council District 5. 

I testified in front of the Commission strongly advocating that they restore these areas to a Manhattan-based District and keep communities of interest intact. It is so important that community voices and input be heard in this process and my district came out in full force on this issue to make their voices heard.

We are still are waiting for the map to drop tomorrow to confirm the information from the Gotham Gazette, but as of now we believe Roosevelt Island has been restored. The Council Members have not seen the map yet from the Districting Commission.

Latest info on NYC Council redistricting from Gotham Gazette, Gothamist and NY Times.

According to the NYC Districting Commission: 

The New York Districting Commission votes to release revised maps for the 51 City Council districts at a hybrid in-person/Zoom meeting. Meeting will be available for viewing live on Commission website at nyc.gov/districting.

WHERE 22 Reade Street, first floor, NY, NY 10007

WHEN Thursday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m.

We shall see tomorrow if the new redistricting map shows Roosevelt Island starying in Manhattan Council District 5 or moving to a Queens Council District. Stay Tuned.

During the September 14 Four Freedoms Democratic Club meeting on Roosevelt Island, Ms Menin also talked about:

  • NYC Council Universal Child care legislation she introduced, 
  • $21 million she brought back into District 5 and 
  • the need for affordable housing which may require approving taller building than previously allowed in the Upper East Side district, among other issues.

 

UPDATE 9/22 - Roosevelt Island resident and founder of the local Main Street Dems political club Joyce Short organized community efforts to keep Roosevelt Island in a Manhattan City Council District. Ms Short said last evening:

Roosevelt Islanders truly rose to the occasion, producing more comments to the Districting Committee than any other area of NYC. 

A big thanks to Lynne Shinozaki, Ellen Polivy, and everyone else who pitched in on this effort! 

We're not quite out of the woods yet... or should I say "out of Queens yet?" 

City Council will either vote "yay" or "nay" to the new map created by the Districting Commission tomorrow, 9/22. 

But in light of the overwhelming opposition we produced, it's unlikely that the issue will be revisited, even if City Council turns down the new ACCmap. Stay tuned, however. It's not over 'til it's over!

UPDATE 12:15 PM - Back to the drawing board for redistricting maps. UPDATE 9:15 PM: According to the Gotham Gazette:
... The commission will now work on a new map of Council districts, which it must pass to present to the current Council for approval or rejection with notes. If the Council approves the map, it goes into effect for next year’s elections, where all 51 Council seats are on the ballot. If it rejects the maps, the commission must take its feedback into account, hold additional public hearings, and then pass a final map without any outside approval needed. The deadline when the final maps are due is December 7....
Click here for the full Gotham Gazette article.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 7:48:00 PM

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