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SOME ADDITIONAL TESTIMONY <br />During the course of this study, in addition to the interviews that made up the <br />formal survey, we received or had passed along to us from time to time written <br />communications from various individuals who live or work in the Times Square area. <br />Some of these are sampled below: <br />Proprietor, Restaurant: <br />(March 1, 1994) <br />I am a new business owner on West 47th Street between Broadway and <br />j Eighth Avenues.., -'We opened our doors at': - <br />on 7, 1994 si 1993?1. - Dur. restaurant:.occupies -the space of October <br />1994 <br />? Delsomma Restaurant. During these four months we have seen BID's' <br />! work In the neighborhood evident In the painting of storefront <br />removal of bills 'posted on abandoned buildings, helpful clean-up crews <br />and ever so accommodating security people. Unfortunately, we have <br />also noticed the opening of four new adult video stores in a two -block <br />stretch between 46th and 48th Streets on Eighth Avenue. While I have <br />never seen any of them with more than two customers inside, the <br />element of underground business they attract Is atrocious, namely <br />Prostitution, drug dealing and loitering. Since their customers are' few <br />they obviously generate their income in some other unobvious manner. <br />While the owners of the adult video stores have a civil right to earn a <br />living, I am opposed to its Impact on the neighborhood and would like to <br />know what I can do to 'protect the area from similar new business and <br />discourage store owners from operating in the area. Not only does it <br />hurt the area's legitimate businesses but we -must-remember there are <br />several high schools in thezrea-whose.students-shoulcrfiot be exposed <br />to these activities. - <br />Thomas K. Duane, Councilmember: <br />(Letter to the owner of 320:West 45th Street,, now -occupied by an adult <br />entertainment business, December 23, 1993) - <br />As you may be aware, "Private Eyes" joins the growing list of adult uses <br />(i.e. adult video stores and topless/bottomless dance clubs) in the Clinton <br />neighborhood of Manhattan. Red Zones in other American cities have <br />caused dramatic increases in crime and negatively impacted the local <br />economy. While you may gain short-term economic benefits from <br />renting out your property to an adult use, you also will be creating a <br />negative economic climate for your own property. <br />EVER00234 <br />48 <br />