SQUADRON COUNCIL TESTIMONY: NYU'S CUSP MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN RESURGENCE OF DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN

NEW YORK -- Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron submitted testimony to a joint City Council hearing before the Committees on Technology, Economic Development, and Higher Education regarding the Applied Sciences NYC initiative and, specifically, in support of NYU-Poly's planned Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP) at 370 Jay Street in Downtown Brooklyn.

For years, Squadron, along with his colleagues, urged the MTA to make use of its nearly-abandoned former headquarters at 370 Jay Street, which the MTA leased from the City. 

In a November 2011 letter to Deputy Mayor Steel, Squadron urged the City to award NYU's proposal. Squadron and Borough President Markowitz put together a broad coalition of elected, community, and business leaders to rally in support of the two-for-one opportunity created by the proposal. In April, they joined the City, the MTA, and NYU to announce that the proposal had been selected as the second Applied Sciences NYC winner.

This summer, Squadron announced that he will work with the MTA, Borough President Markowitz, and community stakeholders to design a brand new Tech Triangle bus route that will launch next year and directly connect Downtown Brooklyn and CUSP with the other growing technology hubs of DUMBO and the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

"By pursuing NYU-Poly's proposal, the City is bringing a world-class applied sciences institute to Brooklyn and Brooklyn's incredible talent and vibrant tech scene to the world," Squadron testified today.

His full testimony is available below.

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