Despite the protestors who prevented Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from speaking (see previous post) at the Brooklyn Heights Association’s Annual Meeting, much else was accomplished. As reported by Mary Frost in the Eagle, BHA president Koren Volk (photo), whose term ends soon, although she will remain on BHA’s board of directors, gave an account of BHA accomplishments over the past year, but focused her talk on the ongoing challenges and opportunites facing the neighborhood. She noted that the Federal Department of Transportation had rejected the NYC DOT’s request for funding to reconstruct the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway’s cantilevered section below Brooklyn Heights, and credited this to community opposition, including that of the BHA. She announced the launch of the BQE Environmental Justice Coalition, which will unite the Heights with other communities along the BQE to the north and south in concerns about the highway’s environmental impact. The launch event will take place at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 10, at the triangle at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and 16th Street.
Ms. Volk also spoke about the BHA’s “Public Realm” initiative, noting that a survey conducted by the BHA showed support for improved pedestrian access on Montague and other neighborhood streets. She said the BHA is committed to, as the Eagle story reports: “expanded sidewalks, more loading zones [to reduce double parking], traffic calming measures and ‘daylighting’ at intersections.” She credited City Council Member Lincoln Restler, who was present, along with the Cadman Park Conservancy, and the city Department of Parks for the replacement of the artificial turf in the park, and thanked dog owners for keeping their pets off the new turf. Ms. Volk also praised new businesses opening in the Heights, and announced that the Montague Diner, taking the former Happy Days Diner space and becoming a “bistro” during evening hours, will open on March 15.
There was a question and answer session during which, as the Eagle reports, it was asked “what’s happening with the Bossert Hotel (no one knows), and if a new homeless shelter is planned in the neighborhood (not that the BHA is aware of).” BHB stalwart Andrew Porter asked if more bishop’s crook lampposts would be installed in the North Heights. He was told that a contract was going out to bid, but it could be some time before any new lampposts are installed.
The meeting concluded with the Civic Service Awards, which were presented by Heights resident and former WNET-13 staff announcer Tom Stewart. One went to the Brooklyn Public Library in honor of its “Books Unbanned” program, which allows electronic access to books banned locally anywhere in the nation. It was accepted on behalf of BPL by Rachel Tiemann, librarian and branch manager of BPL’s Brooklyn Heights Branch. The other award went to The Service Collective, organized by two Heights moms, Sarah Robertson and Amanda Jones, who wanted ways for their kids to engage in community service. Through The Sevice Collective, kids are now, as the Eagle story notes, active in projects “from filling the community fridge, to gardening, shopping for homebound neighbors and creating ‘adopt an animal’ cards for local shelters.” Ms. Jones accepted the award. The Service Collective was also honored as one of the BHB Ten for 2023.
