Community groups press Parks to alter capital projects that would remove mature trees; committee hears contractor oversight questions

Several public witnesses asked the committee to halt or redesign capital projects that would remove dozens of mature trees in neighborhood parks. Friends of Fort Greene Park told the committee that a planned $24 million capital renovation would remove 78 mature healthy trees and replace green space with a large plaza; the group offered an alternate plan that would repair pathways, drainage and accessibility without wholesale tree removal. Witnesses asked the committee to meet with Parks to look at lower-impact alternatives and said the community had spent years pursuing public records and legal processes to obtain project details.

Separately, witnesses and council members raised concerns about large private contractors that have previously faced legal or labor issues receiving significant city work. Parks said it works with the Law Department, the Department of Investigation and the Mayor's Office of Contract Services (MOCS) on vetting and that DOI monitoring agreements are part of its oversight when warranted. Parks staff also described recent vendor-recruitment efforts, MWBE procurement paths and outreach to expand the contractor bench; union witnesses cautioned that overreliance on high-cost consultants and thin inspection staffing can reduce quality and institutional knowledge.