Last year, neighborhood and preservation organizations, including the Brooklyn Heights Association, prevailed in lawsuits in both federal and state courts in which they contested the actions of the National Park Service and the city and state governments to transfer the Tobacco Warehouse site from Brooklyn Bridge Park for use as a new home for St. Ann’s Warehouse Theater, as well as the Empire Stores building for possible commercial development. Following the court decisions, BHA and the other successful plaintiffs began negotiations with city and state officials to establish rules governing possible development of these sites. Yesterday, Mayor Bloomberg announced that an agreement had been made under which, among other things, additional land will be added to Brooklyn Bridge Park should the Tobacco Warehouse and Empire Stores be made available for non-park use. Continue Reading →
84th Precinct Community Council Meets Tuesday Evening
Deputy Inspector Mark DiPaolo, Commanding Officer of the 84th Precinct, has notified BHB that the Precinct’s Community Council will meet next Tuesday, May 22, at 7 p.m. at St. James’ Cathedral Pavilion, 240 Jay Street (between Cathedral Place and Chapel Street). On the agenda are (1) a presentation on crime prevention on NYC transit (2) the Cop of the Month award (3) a transit police report (4) a community crime report and (5) a Q&A period. All are invited, and refreshments will be served.
Is The Bossert Being Converted Back To The ‘Waldorf Astoria of Brooklyn’?
Consider this a potential game-changer for Brooklyn Heights: The magnificent Bossert at 98 Montague Street, owned & maintained by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, is apparently returning to its original domain as a hotel. Brownstoner reported Tuesday that according to a Public Hearing notice sent out by Community Board Two, a variance application has been filed to allow “reconversion of the existing community facility hotel back to its original, transient hotel use.”
What remains unclear is whether the flip is a maneuver on the part of Jehovah’s Witnesses to find an interested buyer for the building. Continue Reading →
Are Brooklyn Heights Activists Looking $40M BBP Gift Horse In The Mouth?
Are Brooklyn Heights residents too haughty to share the neighborhood? That’s the tenor of a New York Post article today, which reports the melodramatic account of Tuesday night’s Brooklyn Park Planning meeting. Apparently, several civic leaders groused that the record-setting $40 million donation for a planned 115,000sf athletic facility would be “devastating” for the nabe.
The proposed year-round Fieldhouse near Pier 5 at the edge of Joralemon Street in Willowtown, received a full funding offer in April from Manhattan philanthropist Joshua Rechnitz, which would include an inclined bike track, sports playing areas, 2,500 seats and on-site parking. Rechnitz also agreed to underwrite any operating revenue shortfalls during the first decade of a 20-year city lease agreement.
But some activists Tuesday complained, saying the BBP attraction would draw crowds of unwanted pedestrians and traffic to the quiet streets of the neighborhood. Continue Reading →
Borough Hall Flag Lowered For Greg ‘Jocko’ Jackson
The Brooklyn flag was lowered at Borough Hall today in memory of Greg “Jocko” Jackson, who died yesterday of an apparent heart attack at age 60. Jackson, a Brownsville native who played in the NBA for the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns, became director of the Brownsville Recreation Center in 1997, turning the Parks Department facility into a neighborhood hub where he mentored countless young people. Continue Reading →
Has Eric Adams Taken The Lead In Brooklyn Borough Prez Race?
As terms limits usher Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz out of Borough Hall in 2013 (after 11 years in office), State Sen. Eric Adams appears poised to have his name carved in gold lettering on the front door. The ex-cop—best known for his “Stop the Sag” campaign to get kids to pull up their britches, and for suggesting transit workers carry Tasers to zap bad guys—is now in the lead, after his primary competitor, fellow Democrat Carlo Scissura, dropped out of the race Thursday to accept a post as President & CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Continue Reading →
Image Of The Week: Markowitz, Bloomie & Ratner Embrace Barclay Center’s Creation Of ’2,000 Jobs’
On Thursday, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Forest City Ratner Cos. Chairman/CEO Bruce Ratner to rally around the 2,000 jobs they insist will be created by the fall opening of Downtown Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
Markowitz said, “Bringing the Nets to Brooklyn means more than exciting in-your-face basketball with a Brooklyn attitude: It will create 2,000 sorely needed full- and part-time opportunities for jobseekers, with priority placement for Brooklynites Continue Reading →
Feeling Blue? No New York Primary For You…
Today, April 24, is the date for New York’s presidential primary election—but only Brooklyn Heights Republicans need apply. Because Democrat Barack Obama has no primary competition, there’s only a Republican race on the ballot. Registered Republicans have a choice between Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul and the recently dropped-out Rick Santorum. Polls are open, as usual, until 9 p.m.
Fortunately, Democrats will have plenty of chances to vote this year. A Court-ordered primary election for House and Senate seats will be held June 26 (Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez is being challenged by City Councilman Erik Dilan on the Democratic ballot, and three Republicans, including Congressman Bob Turner, who won election to the seat vacated by Anthony Weiner, are competing for the right to challenge incumbent Democrat Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand). Continue Reading →
Last Minute Weekend Suggestions
Senator Squadron’s Community Convention is Sunday afternoon. MTA head Joseph Lhota will discuss transit issues, you can learn more about new plans for Brooklyn Bridge Park and there will be discussion groups on many other topics of community interest. More details & RSVP here.
Learn about local bird life Sunday morning at Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Anytime you want, head to Brooklyn Bridge Park and take photos (see your correspondent’s contribution above) for BBP’s Bluebell photo contest. Continue Reading →
Livery Cabs Approved For Passengers Trying To Reach The Boroughs
For anyone that’s felt like the Invisible (Wo)Man trying to convince a taxi driver to come to Brooklyn from Manhattan, there’s good news from the Taxi & Limousine Commission. Despite fierce opposition from Yellow Cab drivers, rules were passed in a 7-2 vote by the commission Thursday, allowing New Yorkers to legally hail livery cabs in the four boroughs and northern Manhattan, starting this summer.
The mandate from Albany, approved last summer and signed in December by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, allows the city to sell licenses for up to 6,000 livery cabs in June, with a total of 18,000 over three years. New Yorkers will be able to hail these cars as they do traditional taxis. Continue Reading →
Brooklyn Bridge Park Secures $66.5M From NYC, Plus A $40M Rec Facility Donation
At last, some positively spectacular news about the progress of Brooklyn Bridge Park. First, Park President Regina Myer announced Thursday that Joshua Rechnitz, Founder & Chairman of the non-profit New York City Fieldhouse, has offered $40 million for the design & construction of a year-round, multi-use recreation facility near Pier 5. This represents one of the largest donations ever made to a New York City park. The center will be vetted through community dialogue before being built.
Second, State Senator Daniel Squadron says the BBP Board has secured the $66.5 million commitment funding from New York City that was promised via Squadron’s and Assemblymember Millman’s agreement with the city last summer. Continue Reading →
Reminder: Squadron’s Community Convention Sunday
State Senator Daniel Squadron will host his fourth annual Community Convention this Sunday, April 22, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., at the High School of Economics and Finance, 100 Trinity Place (one block west of Broadway, between Cedar and Thames Streets), in downtown Manhattan. The keynote speaker will be MTA chair and Brooklyn Heights resident Joseph Lhota. After the opening ceremonies and keynote speech, you’ll be invited to participate in discussion groups on issues of community concern. If you’d like to attend, please RSVP here, where you’ll also find a list of topics for discussion groups, or call 212-298-5565.
Curious About Liquor Laws and Licensing?
This in from Community Board 2:
Ever wonder why your favorite watering hole doesn’t use its outdoor space or why they won’t let you dance on the bar? Also, why is the trash pick-up always late at night and how does a liquor license get approved? These questions and more will be answered at the community meeting hosted by Community Boards 2 & 6 on April 12, 2012; at 6 p.m.
250 Baltic Street, (Court & Clinton Streets) AuditoriumThis is a neutral forum designed to clarify questions, and will be conducted as an informal questions and answer session. Continue Reading →
Daniel Squadron Considers Bid for Public Advocate
State Senator Daniel Squadron, whose district includes Brooklyn Heights, has announced he is strongly considering a run for Public Advocate, perhaps the third most powerful city office after Mayor and City Council Speaker, in the 2013 city wide election. The incumbent Public Advocate, Park Slope resident Bill de Blasio, is expected to run for Mayor.
According to the Wall Street Journal, others considering running for Public Advocate are Continue Reading →
Squadron, Levin Lead Rally Tomorrow to Bring Macy’s Fireworks Back to East River
State Senator Daniel Squadron, City Council Member Steve Levin, and other elected officials and community leaders will hold a rally tomorrow (Monday, April 2) at 1:45 p.m. to demand that Macy’s restore its annual Fourth of July fireworks display to the East River, where it can be enjoyed by more New Yorkers, including Brooklynites. The rally will be held at the northwest corner of Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park (enter from Old Fulton Street). Continue Reading →
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Brooklyn Bugle
- Open Thread: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
- A Peek Inside Montague Street’s New Starbucks
- Adam Yauch Park Closer to Reality: On State Street In Brooklyn Heights
- Heights’ Resident Lena Dunham’s HBO ‘Girls’ Renewed For Second Season
- Tips for New Dog Owners from Brooklyn’s DogBoy Robert Haussman
- Taxi Commission Supports 20% Cab Fare Hike
- BHA, Other Groups Settle with City and State over Park Land
- Parade of Ships Opens Fleet Week Tomorrow
- Brooklyn Hosts opSail At Red Hook Marine Terminal Memorial Day Weekend
- Roof Cornice Breaks Off At 7 Old Fulton Street
Cobble Hill Blog
- Brooklyn Hosts opSail At Red Hook Marine Terminal Memorial Day Weekend
- Third-Annual Brooklyn Bridge Birthday Celebration At Brooklyn Tattoo May 27
- Super Kitsch! Nostalgic Shuffleboard Club Coming To Gowanus
- Yikes! A Bed Bug (As In One) Found On Premises At The Carroll School
- NYC Bike Share Program: Cobble Hill Shunned Until At Least Spring 2013
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Open Thread: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
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Packer Institute SAT Scandal Gets More Egregious
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Brooklyn Heights Rallies For Montague Street Retail Corridor
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Adam Yauch Park Closer to Reality: On State Street In Brooklyn Heights
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Roof Cornice Breaks Off At 7 Old Fulton Street
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Montague Street Revitalization Continues With Launch Of Ruby And Jenna
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BHA, Other Groups Settle with City and State over Park Land
- Picture Perfect Promenade Sunday
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Parade of Ships Opens Fleet Week Tomorrow
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A Peek Inside Montague Street’s New Starbucks
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Film Shoot Moratorium Short-Lived: Remsen Street Site For ‘Amish’
- Heights History: A Magnificent 1905 View Looking Up ‘Columbia Street’
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Open Thread: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
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A Peek Inside Montague Street’s New Starbucks
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Adam Yauch Park Closer to Reality: On State Street In Brooklyn Heights
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Heights’ Resident Lena Dunham’s HBO ‘Girls’ Renewed For Second Season
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Tips for New Dog Owners from Brooklyn’s DogBoy Robert Haussman
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Taxi Commission Supports 20% Cab Fare Hike
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BHA, Other Groups Settle with City and State over Park Land
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Parade of Ships Opens Fleet Week Tomorrow
Nabe Chatter