Riverside Apartments resident Brad Smith (at right in photo) opened today’s Willowtown Spring Fair with a short speech about the life and accomplishments of Alfred T. White, the Heights resident and philanthropist responsible for the building of Riverside and of other affordable housing complexes in Brooklyn. Listening were (right to left) State Sen. Daniel Squadron, State Assembly Member Joan Millman, City Council candidate Jo Anne Simon, and City Council Member (and Mayoral candidate) Tony Avella.
Following his speech, Smith led those gathered for the fair on a short march down Joralemon Street from Willow Place to the courtyard between the Riverside buildings and the wall below the elevated BQE, where a grove of trees and garden is threatened by the plan of Riverside’s owner to build a parking garage. There, several neighborhood residents spoke against the plan, and a panel honoring White was hung around the trunk of one of the threatened trees by Willowtown Association Board member Jean Campbell (at left in photo above) and Riverside resident Amanda Trees.
Later in the day, incumbent City Council Member, and City Comptroller candidate, David Yassky, and City Council Candidate Ken Baer, also visited the Fair.
