Judges Still Columbus Park(ing)

NY Daily News: Parking – In the Park!:  A year after a new Brooklyn courthouse opened, judges are still parking in a nearby public park – even though they promised seven years ago to move to the new facility.

Then-Administrative Judge Michael Pesce made the promise at a hearing in 1999 to calm community opposition to the new courthouse, community leaders and advocates said.

Now that the $670 million courthouse at 330 Jay St. is open, downtown leaders want the 50 or more judges out of Columbus Park between the old Brooklyn Supreme Court building and Borough Hall.

"The community was betrayed," said Judy Stanton of the Brooklyn Heights Association. "Somebody has to get the cars out of the park. It is open space and belongs to the public."

The new 32-story building, which houses Family and Criminal courts, opened in July 2005, three years behind schedule.

Court officials acknowledged a promise was made in 1999, although they claim they never meant all the cars would be moved, just those in part of the park.

Share this Story:

•