Open Thread Wednesday

Well, the borough President Eric Adams public hearing on the BPL plans for the new library occurred last night. It was mobbed by area residents.
Well over 70 people signed up to speak!

Outside of people with a financial interest somehow in the development very few speakers advocated the new cadman library plan. Speaker after speaker from the financially disinterested faction however, strongly dinounced the plan and began recounting a series of serious very damaging disclosures about the project so far and the BPL/Hudson/Mar- vel’s future plans. Many of the disclosures were eye popping like the BPl had a secret “real estate plan” which they made the centerpiece for their actions on building upkeep and funds sourcing.

At base, many charged, the BPL’s plan was a version of the classic slumlord practice of first letting/causing a building’s ondition to decline with poor/no maintence, then call for a LOT of financing ( the larger the note, the larger the rake) or drive the old controlled Tennant’s out then sell/develop the now vacant/damaged building……

Much testimony was very highly refined with very good insight. Others was valid and honest some was markable for clearly/loudly point in out how bad what is occurring here really is. (more)

The night’s proceedings, at base, concluded with testimony from a well known Heights advocate who departing from other presentations did not limit his testimony to the question of the plan but used the majority of his remarks to the plan opponents as to what was wrong with their tactics and basic approach. In some of the strongest terms of the session he advised that directing efforts at elected/appointed officials would never work and they needed to bring the elected sector under FEDERAL judicial pressure and install significant “penalties” for the real estate community in response to the “assault” the plan represents perhaps by offering incentives to uncover corruption/illegal behavior in the general real estate business community. Much of the remarks appeared directed to the leaders present of opposition groups. Not all leaders were seen taking the criticism in good humor.The testimony’s tone itself amused many but was controversial one wag calling it a rockabilly record in the middle of a mostly classical concert.

So tired of these posts. I know this is pointless on this blog because the majority of the small number of commentators are from anti development groups, but your efforts here are misplaced and wildly out of wacky with reality. Like others have said before, this community is – basically as a whole – all for a new library AND the new condo, which will bring some life to a sad stretch of Cadman Plaza West. We don’t care if some developers make a bundle. Such is life…

Not so sure we agree with real estate shills like you who call themselves “resident” as spearheading some sort of neighborhood groundswell of support for yet more development. And yes, we do care that billionaires can profit so much from public land, our land. They are willing to pave over our area with at least 6 skyscraper buildings ALL being built on what was once public land – BBP, LICH and the library. How much did they have to pay the politicians for this?

yes– but don’t fret! there’s still plenty of room for tour buses to pull up on Furman St so tourists can take “the shot” anytime day or night! and if they’re blocking southbound traffic, so it has to swerve around and almost collide with northbound traffic, who cares? (or, they’ll just move to other spots clearly marked “NO parking/standing”…. I wonder who’s instructed the NYPD to leave them alone, given how blatant they are).

I hope this condo comes with its own school because it is going to crush PS 8.

If I was a berm-maker, I suppose I would! Fingers crossed that they use the area for actual park stuff!

Exactly. “Resident” is obviously entitled to his opinion, whether or not it’s paid for by the real estate business. But to defend the condos as something the neighborhood is eager to embrace is a bit of a stretch. Perhaps some people find them a necessary evil but I doubt too many neighbors relish the shadows the skyscraper will cast over the Heights, the increased crowding in the subway, or the other strains on infrastructure. We shall see.

I forgot to mention one of the most of important aspects of last night’s rumble at Borough Hall…Eric Adams, to the frustration/anger of many Left the meeting at 7:30PM (!!!!) and of course, shortly after did most of the pestt (!!!) So the majority of people testifying were left largely talking to themselves. There were a sort of second line/administrative support staff who were left to run the meeting. Who were a LOT less friendly that Mr Adams.

But the point of several speakers, especially the near to last testimony that the forces opposing the plan, though sincere are failing because they insist on following the wrong tactical path was a telling point.
Why are the leaders of the protest limiting themselves to appealing to (well entrenched) government and not at least filing a RJI/car in Federal Court and if necessary using well existng boilerplate forms to proceed pro we just to send some kind of a shock wave though a worsening situation? Also, why aren’t the Height “leaders” taking actions which will on some way penalize the sector which is now trying to bring down the real Heights.

Aren’t there picket lines in front of the banks who are financing this?
Why aren’t there regularized public distribution of literature? The anti plan people have now become a static group not expanding. That really, really BAD news for any protest movement….So why aren’t any more effective tectice/resources being used???

Stick to rants about Bucks County.

hat’s up with the brooklyn bridge exit? I thought the point was to expand it but it looks like they are keeping it the same amount of lanes at the same width? The only change is that a nice wall has been replaced with an ugly one. Anyone know more?

Why are the sprouts at Key Food so expensive?

“This community is, basically as a whole, all for a new library AND the new condo” Really, where are you getting your information from? Care to post some links to credible stats.

I’ve lived here my entire live and have many friends and know many people here, I don’t know anyone who supports any of theres “developments”.

Is it terrible that there’s a part of me which cringes at the missing “s” from Brussels? Brussels Sprouts. They’re named after the Belgian city of Brussels. I’m Googling “why” right now.

I can also rant about Philadelphia and Provincetown, MA. I will be back in BH mid-September. I just want to makw sure the place hasn’t gone to hell or the patients have taken over the asylum.