Back in April, when the plan to construct a 77-unit mixed income apartment building, with significant tax abatements, at 75 North Seventh Street first became public, some people expressed disappointment that Mayor Kamal Johnson had chosen to partner with the Galvan Foundation to address the affordable housing crisis in Hudson. Many were of the opinion that Galvan, with its propensity to acquire property, empty it of tenants, and hold it vacant for years on end, has contributed--if not caused--the shortage of affordable rental units in Hudson. Others were stunned by the proposed PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement and decried "enabling and encouraging plutocrats to pilfer the commons."
Despite the criticism and the lack of support for the project on the Common Council, Johnson remained steadfast in his intention to involve Galvan in his housing plan. On August 19, one day after the Galvan Foundation announced it was "withdrawing from proceeding further with the 75 North 7th Street Project" because they had been unable to secure Council support, Johnson, in a statement marking 200 days in office, restated his commitment to working with Galvan:
The Galvan PILOT remains a focus and one step for my administration's housing plan. It has been no secret that our city has seen a large displacement in citizens due to gentrification. The only way our city can thrive is by making it equitable for everyone. We cannot accomplish this without action.
So far, the Galvan Foundation has not succeeded in solving the city's affordable housing problem, but they may have helped Johnson solve his own affordable housing issues. In talking about affordable housing, Johnson has often recounted how he was forced to leave an apartment in Hudson Terrace because his income increased and his rent increased proportionately. In early August, Gossips learned that Johnson had moved out of his apartment in the 200 block of Union Street, where he lived when he served as First Ward alderman and where he was living when he was elected mayor. For more than a month now, his car has been regularly noticed parked on Partition Street behind 113 Union Street, a house that, according to tax records, has been owned by the Galvan Foundation since 2011. It was one of the twenty-one Galvan properties whose assessments were reduced in May. A check of public information found at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov confirmed that this indeed is where the mayor now resides.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CAROLE OSTERINK
Yeah, the optics aren't good. Kamal should have disclosed his new landlord as soon as it happened with a statement about how it wouldn't influence his dealings with Galvan and so on. Uncovering it only makes it appear as if he was trying to hide the fact because he knew IT WOULD LOOK BAD or that it was an actual conflict of interest coming from the mayor's office. Nice digging, Carole!
ReplyDeleteOr, maybe it never crossed the Mayor's mind that this would be considered improper or at least raise some eyebrows among residents should it be revealed. Apparently this is so - read his response/explanation below. He's lashing out, mostly. A little disturbing, even sounding like Trump. BB
DeleteOptics? That's a word. So are ethical lapse, conflict of interest and lying by omission. It "would look bad?" It looks like what it likely is: tit-for-tat. No one concerned about ethics and the appearance of impropriety would enter this arrangement in the first place; only someone afraid of the ethical consequences of disclosure would keep it to themselves. Poor judgment at best; ethical violation at worst.
ReplyDeleteI had a distant BBQ sorry you missed it. I moved here after the PILOT went south. Housing stock is scarce and raising a pre-teen and a new baby on the way in basically a one bed room apartment was tough. I searched and searched but when housing is limited you have to go with what's available. I pay full rent I'm not immune to the housing crisis. I'm not sure how I was hiding I mean my name was on the mailbox. Next time don't creep through the alleys just knock on the door like a normal person. Anyhoo back to the moaning and groaning that takes place here. I have to go it's Taco Tuesday.... P.S. I was disappointed to not see my virtual job fair in the meetings of interest. You going to have to credit me for something sooner or later, I'm going to be here a while.
ReplyDeleteMayor Kamal Johnson
Mayor, the issue here is the appearance of impropriety. Whether or not the arrangement is anything but an arms’ length lease at market rate it looks terrible. As such, it raises questions of legitimacy and transparency. You characterize citizen concern with your ethics as “moaning and groaning.” But it’s more than that. It’s a real question about the ethical propriety of your business relationships and your judgement.
DeleteA little early for Taco Tuesday...but if there is a special deal to get Taco Tuesday on Monday I am willing to risk the optics.
ReplyDeleteA lot of hate directed at the Galvan Foundation that in my opinion has done a lot for our city.
Not sure why he suffered through the hate, the HPC, and this forum that can't seem to differentiate between old and historic. His foundation has supported many important causes in our city and county.
Charlie Millar
Anyway where we going for Taco Tuesday tonight?
optics notwithstanding, I too wish I could auction historical fact for this type PR schmaltz.
Delete"He's lashing out, mostly. A little disturbing, even sounding like Trump." This cowardly creepy uncalled for remark from a person known as UNKNOWN ... come out ... let us judge you.
ReplyDelete