I am anxious to see whether we move forward with the creation of affordable housing in each of the proposed large-scale developments abutting our low-rise brownstone neighborhoods. The residents of Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill have registered their disapproval as expected. The test of the depth of progressive commitment to create vibrant diverse neighborhoods, instead of havens for the privileged, […]
Author: gbrook@pipeline.com
Developer tries to give Gowanus a free park, but city doesn’t want it, by George Fiala
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was tasked with the job of cleaning up the toxic Gowanus Canal in 2009, following over 100 years of unbenign neglect on the part of New York City. The canal was declared a Superfund site over the objections of New York City, who felt that passive measures, such as building bioswales, would clean the canal […]
CB 6 votes against proposed Red Hook nursing home, by George Fiala
The Oxford Nursing Home proposal for a zoning change (ULURP) in Red Hook received a setback at the December 3 meeting of Community Board 6’s (CB6) landmark/land use committee. A motion against the plan was passed 11-5, with one abstention. On December 9th, the full CB6 board will meet at Borough Hall for a final vote. It then travels to […]
Brooklyn Museum holds craft show this weekend
AMERICAN FINE CRAFT SHOW BROOKLYN AT BROOKLYN MUSEUM TO INSPIRE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SPREES NOVEMBER 21-22 & VISITS TO EXHIBITIONS Six Brooklyn artisans will celebrate their creativity, artistry & skill with 84 other exhibitors Two Brooklyn jewelers, a handbag designer, potter, woodworker/furniture maker and woodworker whose studios are in Fort Greene, Gowanus, Park Slope, Sunset Park and Williamsburg will be among 90 […]
Gowanus Pathmark a victim of gentrification, by George Fiala
The Pathmark supermarket, which opened in Gowanus in 1992, is now closed permanently. The Pathmark chain was bought by A & P in 2007, which declared bankruptcy earlier this year. Over the past few months, A & P put all of its stores and store leases up for auction in a bankruptcy sale. Many of the stores were sold to […]
Council member Brad Lander opposes Fortis plan for a rezoning of the LICH campus, by George Fiala
In what must be called a surprising development, City Councilman Brad Lander announced his opposition to the plan by real estate developer Fortis to rezone Cobble Hill, which would have enabled it to build an extra 400,000 square feet of housing on what was once the Long Island College Hospital. The announcement was made at the annual meeting of the […]
Keeping a Carroll Gardens tradition alive, by Mary Ann Pietanza
Vito Parente has good reason to be celebrating these days. The president of Carroll Garden’s Van Westerhout Cittidini Molesi Cultural and Social Club is breathing new life into the organization. He is navigating the Italian social club scene onto new turf at a time when change is not just inevitable, but almost necessary as it faces an aging membership. Parente, who […]
Religion: Scanlan Glass Commissioned to Make Gift for Pope Francis, By Laura Eng
Most of Kevin Scanlan’s studio glass business at Scanlan Glass in Red Hook comes from commissions from artists, lighting designers, and private individuals. But last month, he received a very different kind of request. With less than a week and a half before the Pope’s visit to New York, Kevin got a call from John Heyer, Jr., Development Officer of […]
Fellow politicians honor Joan Millman in Carroll Gardens, by George Fiala
Joan Millman, who served the citizens South Brooklyn for twenty years following the untimely death of Eileen Dugan, was honored this morning at the Eileen Dugan Senior Center, 380 Court Street, for her years in the State Assembly. Millman retired last year and was replaced by Jo Ann Simon, Joan’s choice for Assembly, who won in a contested election. Simon was […]
The importance of participation, by Mark Shames
Once again the City Council Members’ participatory budgeting season is has arrived, and once again I turn to a discussion of local community participation in government decisions. There are more council participants in participatory budgeting than ever before. Our members are beginning to amass volunteers and solicit suggestions for small capital projects to enhance our neighborhoods. While our community board […]