THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

CITY HALL
NEW YORK, NY 10007
(212) 788-7116
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
December 11, 2007

Contact: 212-788-7116
Release #: 118-2007

HELPING TO PRESERVE BROOKLYN'S WATERFRONT, COUNCIL VOTES TO LANDMARK FORMER DOMINO SUGAR REFINERY
Also votes to facilitate job search for newly released inmates by providing birth certificates

City Hall, December 11th, 2007 - At today's Stated Council meeting, the City Council will vote to landmark the former Domino Sugar Refinery, one the most widely recognized symbols of Brooklyn's industrial waterfront. The Council will also vote on legislation to provide recently released prisoners with a copy of their birth certificate, which will facilitate basic things like securing identification, housing and jobs, as well as legislation to create a set of best practices for the management of trauma scenes.

LANDMARKING OF DOMINO SUGAR REFINERY
The Council will vote to landmark the former Domino Sugar Corporation Refinery, a cluster of three 19th century industrial buildings situated along the Brooklyn waterfront. Located between South 2nd and South 3rd streets on Kent Avenue in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, the refinery was one of five factories that helped establish sugar manufacturing as a predominant industry in late 19th and early 20th century Brooklyn. The refinery closed in 2004, and was acquired by CPC Resources, the development arm of the Community Preservation Corporation, which plans to convert the building and surrounding property into residences, including affordable units.

"The Domino Sugar Refinery proudly stands as one of the most salient reminders of our industrial past," said Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. "The preservation and adaptive reuse of industrial relics, like the Sugar Refinery or the High Line on Manhattan's West Side, foster a permanent bond between our City's past and future."

"Industry and manufacturing was once the backbone of our City's economy," said Landmarks, Public Siting & Maritime Uses Committee Chair Jessica Lappin. "In landmarking the Domino Sugar Plant, we are acknowledging a proud symbol of New York's industrial past and creating a place where future generations can appreciate the foundation of our current prosperity. I want to thank Speaker Quinn and my other colleagues in the Council for making the preservation of our industrial heritage a priority."

"Williamsburg has been one of the centers of industry in New York for centuries and was the center for Brooklyn's sugar production during the 19th and early 20th centuries," said Council Member David Yassky, who represents the district. "The Domino Plant is the largest and most imposing reminder of this past that remains on our Waterfront today. Domino is a landmark in the traditional use of the word: every pedestrian, cyclist and automobile driver that crosses the Williamsburg Bridge sees the Domino Sugar Plant as a beacon on the Brooklyn waterfront. It is among the most recognizable buildings in New York, and I am happy to have been a part of its preservation."

AIDING RECENTLY RELEASED INMATES BY PROVIDING BIRTH CERTIFICATES
To help transition former inmates back into their communities and into full employment, the Council will vote on legislation to provide certain inmates being released from city jails and state prisons with a copy of their birth certificate upon their release. Often times, people leaving jail or prison lack the proper identification to apply for jobs or obtain state identification cards and benefits.

Specifically, people who were born in New York City and were sentenced to more than 90 days in city jail or who spent any time in state prison will qualify for this free service. The State already provides this service to state inmates around New York. Approximately 2,500 city residents who leave city jails and 9,000 city residents who leave state prisons each year will be eligible for a free birth certificate, upon their request. Only city residents who were born in New York City will be eligible for this program.

"One of the most important ways we can break the cycle of incarceration is to get people who have served their debt to society into a decent job," said Speaker Quinn. "Providing people who are reentering society after incarceration with a free copy of their birth certificate will make this very important transition a little easier for these New Yorkers."

"I am very pleased that the Council has made this issue a priority," said Council Member Annabel Palma, lead sponsor of the bill. "It is extremely important for us as a city to help people transition back into society. This bill will enable them to obtain the necessary resources that will link them back into their community.

ESTABLISHING STANDARD PRACTICES FOR TRAUMA SCENE MANAGEMENT
The Council will vote on legislation that will require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to establish standard practices for trauma scene management on city property, which the City currently does not have. The City also lacks information on trauma scene response and cleanup for private property owners. This legislation will require the creation of a website to assist those individuals by providing information on how to safely clean a trauma scene and dispose of any waste. The website will contain information on how it may be possible to obtain reimbursement for the cost of professional cleanup of a trauma scene. This information will be available from first responders and 311. This legislation is part of Council's ongoing effort to bring government into the 21st century and make government accessible to New Yorkers.

"As it stands in the law right now, the City has no standard management practices for safely cleaning up homicides, car accidents, or other traumas that occur on City property," said Council Member Michael Nelson. "Not only will this legislation create the establishment of appropriate standards for trauma scene cleanup, it will provide New Yorkers with helpful and up-to-date information on how they can safely and effectively clean their own property during these unfortunate circumstances. I would like to thank Speaker Quinn and the entire Bloomberg administration for their help with this landmark bill."

LIVE THEATER WEEK RESOLUTION
The Council will vote on a resolution designating the last week of January as "Live Theatre Week" in New York City. The live theater industry brings in hundreds of millions of dollars each year, contributing tremendously to the local economy. According to the League of American Theaters and Producers, Inc., the 2006-2007 Broadway season was the second highest on record, totaling 12.3 million theatergoers and generating $939 million. Broadway productions alone contribute almost $5 billion to New York City's economy and supports approximately 45,000 full-time equivalent jobs.

"Live theatre's contributions to the City are immeasurable, creating not just cultural enhancements for the City of New York, but large, positive economic impacts as well," said Cultural Affairs Committee Chair Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. "Declaring the last week of January as Live Theatre Week will help celebrate and spread awareness of the important impact live theatre has throughout all five boroughs."

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