Brooklyn Streets, Carroll Gardens

360 Smith: Almost There

2011-05-01T16:24:00.000-07:00

I can barely stand the wait any longer. It's been what, 18, 19 months since we lost our primary access point to the Carroll Street subway station?

The plaza work is complete. I'm pretty pleased with the aesthetics of the renovated plaza space, especially happy that we succeeded in preserving the mature plaza trees.

The Smith Street exposure has received a couple of new street trees as well as all new sidewalk.

I'm wondering what will occupy the new commercial space on the corner. I like the Subway Entrance 24 hour globe lamp on the left, positioned out toward the edge of the sidewalk to maximize visibility down 2nd Place.

We fought a long hard battle to reduce the height of the building. We ultimately won the fight for contextual zoning for all of Carroll Gardens . . . but lost the battle on 360 Smith. The BSA granted the original developer a variance.

So, 360 Smith ended up bigger than we would have liked. But the Plaza space and mature trees were largely preserved, and the ugly fence and surface parking area has been replaced with a new planted courtyard on 2nd Place. I dare say that the street level experience on this corner will be a great improvement over what was there previously - and not just because of the new plaza treatments and courtyard plantings. Add in the new street trees on either side of Smith Street and the Transit Garden across 2nd Place and this intersection will have gone from a relatively barren area to one of the greenest spots in the 'hood. It's going to take a while for all those trees to grow up, but the end product is going to be a much improved crossroads.

Bonus shot: new street plantings courtesy of Parks in front of Frank's, where you can get a heart-stoppingly delicious stack of pancakes any day of the week. Since I took the pictures I noticed someone has added some flowers to the tree beds. Nice touch.

PlaNYC 2.0

2011-04-22T09:53:00.000-07:00

Streetsblog has posted a reaction to the plan. I haven't had a chance to read it all yet.

This document is really a catchall roundup of the various programs the City is implementing and/or plans to implement. I would really like to see the elimination of minimum parking requirements in the zoning code and better pricing of the City's on-street parking resources.

The Gowanus Flushing Tunnel and Force Main: Just One Piece of the Puzzle

2011-03-09T13:29:00.000-08:00

Things have been a bit busy around the FirstandCourt household over the last month, and there have been quite a few stories I just haven't had time to address. Most will be lost to the ether, but this New York Times City Room piece on the Gowanus Canal Flushing Tunnel was too good to let slip by. It's one of the best examples I've seen of informative journalism on the Canal and has some amazing photos from inside the flushing tunnel that I had never seen. I've snagged one here as a fair use, but I encourage you to click through for the full article and pictures.

Repairs and improvements to the flushing tunnel are a long-planned and lengthy process that will ultimately improve water quality in the Gowanus Canal by improving the flow of water from the Buttermilk Channel (the flushing tunnel) and reducing sewer overflows by increasing pumping capacity to the inaptly named Red Hook Water Treatment Plant (in the Brooklyn Navy Yard - via the force main). From the Times piece, here is a graphic that highlights DEP's planned changes to the flushing/pumping equipment at the head of the canal:

The flushing tunnel/force main facility runs deep beneath Degraw Street all the way to Buttermilk Channel; the force main will hook up with a sewer connector just west of Columbia Street. The construction presence is obvious on Degraw Street at Tompkins Place and between Hicks and Columbia.

The article prompted me to go back and upload DEP's update on the Flushing Tunnel / Force Main project to Community Board 6's Environmental Protection Committee on October 25, 2010. I've embedded the whole powerpoint deck below for convenient reading.

Gowanus Facilities Upgrade CB6 2010-10-25
Simply put - it's not enough. The only tolerable outcome will be a complete end to combined sewer overflows not just in the Gowanus, but city wide. These measures will help in the interim, but for the long haul our aging cities deserve Federal infrastructure spending to address what really is a regional and national issue.

The Naparstek Post: Better Fact-checking Than The New Yorker

2011-03-09T07:43:00.000-08:00

Aaron Naparstek eviscerates an ill-informed New Yorker column. Oh, and pity poor, poor John Cassidy, who drives a "heap" - a Jaguar XJ6. Like his previous heaps, which included an E-class Mercedes and a couple of Cadillacs. Clearly, just an average joe.

Cassidy makes himself out an ignorant, entitled buffoon in his piece (no link from me, you'll have to click through Aaron's piece to see it). I expect more from the New Yorker than garbage like this.

Columbia Street Greenway Cleanup Saturday, March 12th

2011-03-08T16:43:00.000-08:00

The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative is one of my favorite local non-profits that is making a physical difference in our community. The Greenway cleanups are a lot of fun - pitch in this Saturday!

March 12

10:00AM

Please join Brooklyn Greenway Initiative and their friends at Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association for the first monthly clean-up of the year along the Columbia Street segment of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. Tools and gloves provided, all ages welcome! Meet at Brooklyn Greenway Initiative’s office, 145 Columbia Street, on Saturday, March 12th. Clean-up runs 10:00AM-12:00PM.

To RSVP or for more info contact Brian at bmccormick@brooklyngreenway.org.

Anxiously Awaiting The Carroll Street Station Grand Entrance Re-Opening

2011-03-08T14:41:00.000-08:00

With a title like that, this post will probably disappoint: I don't have the answer yet on when the 2nd Place entrance will be thrown open for the community. The construction has seemed to last forever, but there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. And yesterday, an opening in the construction fence.

I took a closer look and snapped a couple shots of the once and future entranceway. Note the steel beam above the entrance which presumably will support the entrance signage.

On closer inspection, it looks like the entranceway will be partly glass on the Smith Street side, providing a little extra visibility into the entryway when the commercial space is open.

Finally, I took a longer shot from the stoop of the derelict property across the street.

This was a hard-fought and amazingly long battle. Despite the contextual re-zoning and a valiant effort by the community the developers were granted a variance by the Board of Standards and Appeals to build to the full extent of the old zoning law. It's hard not to be bitter about an outcome that, in my opinion, was unsupported by the facts or the law. But it's more productive (and healthier) to look on the bright side, since we can no longer change the outcome. The mature trees on 2nd Place survived. The original "Heavy Metal" Scarano facade was scrapped (graphic originally from Curbed).

The Quadrini design certainly isn't perfect, but it's a measured improvement over that.

Lastly, the old gravel parking lot which encroached on a substantial portion of the block's courtyards and was, frankly, a blight on the corner, is gone. The 24-hour residential presence over the subway entrance will improve security in the late night hours. And it won't be long before the construction fences will be down, the subway entrance re-opened, and the next battle for neighborhood preservation is joined.

Carroll Gardens Court Street Construction Roundup

2011-03-08T14:06:00.000-08:00

What's this I spy?

The major construction going on, which requires an enormous and deep trench the length of Court Street from 1st to 2nd Place, is due to the replacement of a sewer line.

There is a good size crew moving this along at a fairly rapid pace.

Here is a busted up old iron pipe that the crew pulled up in the excavation.

Also of interest - a crew is ripping up 4th Place from Smith to Court. I asked the workers yesterday if this was related to the sewer project. The answer was much more exciting: FiOS!

I don't want to get my hopes up too high but Verizon FiOS is long overdue in the area and Time Warner could seriously use the competition. Bring on the high speed internet access!

Continued Fallout From Court Street Gas Leak

2011-03-03T05:50:00.000-08:00

1st Place was closed between Court and Smith Streets yesterday while ConEd crews cut a trench on the right side of the street. 1st Place block resident Barbara Brookhart shared some information on the utility work on the CGNA listserve:

Update on the aftermath of the gas leak in front of the CVS store on Court Street. When the utilities were fixing the leak, they accidentally cut a water line, and Court Street had to be closed because the water was cascading down to Hamilton Avenue.

I haven't talked to anybody about this, so these are my observations while doing errands in the hood. Can't help to think that everything seemed to have gone wrong with the repair of the gas leak. But, thank goodness, we were lucky to not have had a San Bruno-type gas explosion, because you could smell the gas a block away.

The contractor still hasn’t sufficiently patched the cut in the street after fixing the various leaks (gas/water). The sidewalk from 1st to 2nd Place was cut in the last week to install yellow plastic pipes for some utility. Construction barriers are in place on the sidewalk from 1st to 2nd Place.

Con Ed cut the street, next to the curb, on First Place yesterday to install new yellow plastic pipes for electricity yesterday. A worker said that electricity was accidently cut for 122 First Place during the gas leak fiasco, and ever since, the building has had their electricity spliced from a light pole. The worker mentioned that water was also accidently cut for a building on 2nd Place during the fiasco.

Serendipity - PPW Bike Lanes & Carroll Gardens' Brooklyn Brainery

2011-03-02T11:13:00.000-08:00

This morning I received a link through the TransAlt Brooklyn Google-Group to what really is the definitive PPW Bike Lane Benefits For Idiots guide. Huge fonts, simple, clear analysis, and obvious conclusions. It really is incredible that the NBBL-ers can continue to deny reality with a straight face.

So it was by way of that link that I found the Brooklyn Brainery, which I had not noticed before though it's right here in the neighborhood. It looks like a pretty neat place, and I look forward to checking it out.

From their website:

Brooklyn Brainery hosts cheap classes on anything and everything.

It's a place to experiment with all the things you've wanted to learn but just haven't gotten around to yet -- thinkbook clubs on steroids.

We're located in Carroll Gardens at 515 Court Street, a couple blocks from the lovely Gowanus Canal.

Their course catalog is HERE.

Plaza Wellness - New Business @ Grand Army Plaza

2011-03-02T10:23:00.000-08:00

Park Wellness Opening Flyer

Not exactly in the Carroll Gardens footprint, but our good friends Steve and Sarah are opening up a great new space with yoga and integrated health services (acupuncture, herbs, massage therapy and psychotherapy) called Plaza Wellness. The space is located just off Grand Army Plaza at 36 Plaza Street.

They're having an open house this weekend and free yoga classes - a great opportunity to check out a new local business run by terrific people.

Brad Lander Op-Ed on PPW Bike Lane

2011-02-27T07:33:00.000-08:00

When I ran for City Council one of my goals was to provide a strong voice for transit and livable streets issues. As it happens, the ultimate winner of the race Brad Lander is doing a pretty damn good job of it.

Here's an excerpt from his Op-Ed in support of the Prospect Park West Bike Lanes from this week's edition of the Brooklyn Paper:

Yes, there has been controversy. But it’s time to accept the facts: Extensive data show the project is a success. The community board asked for it. The vast majority of neighborhood residents support it. The Department of Transportation is proposing a few modifications to make it work even better. Prospect Park West is safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and even drivers.

Let me make one final effort to make the case clear: Community Board 6 asked for this project to calm traffic and provide a safer place to bike (in both directions). The Department of Transportation presented the project to the community numerous times, to hundreds of people, before it was ever implemented, and made changes in response to feedback before laying down any paint last summer.

The Department of Transportation released a six-month report in January, with 67 pages of raw data. Speeding is down. Accidents are down. Injuries are down. Riding on the sidewalk is down. Cycling is up. Overall, commuters using Prospect Park West are up. It takes about the same amount of time to drive down the street, and fears that Prospect Park West would be constantly gridlocked have simply not proven true.

It's sound, well-reasoned and grounded in basic, verifiable facts. The shrill opponents of the bike lanes could take a few lessons from Mr. Lander.

Brooklyn Greenway Columbia Street Park Element Session 2/2

2011-01-26T11:00:00.000-08:00

This park element will truly be a boon to the Columbia Waterfront and the nascent Greenway. Take this opportunity to provide your input and learn more about one of Brooklyn's finest open space innovators, the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative. Be sure to check out the Briefing Book (pdf warning!) for the site. From BGI:

How can we make a great thing even better?

Join Brooklyn Greenway Initiative, Regional Plan Association, and your neighbors as we begin the visioning for a new public open space on Columbia Street between Kane and Degraw Streets.

When the Van Brunt Street reconstruction and the Gowanus Flushing Tunnel construction are complete, the 80-ft deep area on the west side of Columbia Street is planned to become an open space element of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. It is one of three open space nodes that we are either designing or commencing the community visioning process.

On February 2nd, we will share the background research that has been compiled to date and invite you to share your ideas for the kinds of improvements and facilities that would be most beneficial to the Columbia Waterfront community.

The meeting details are:
What: Columbia Waterfront Park Visioning Meeting
When: Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011, 6:30-8:30 PM
Where: The Union Street Star Theater, 101 Union Street

Please RSVP to info@brooklyngreenway.org with Columbia Waterfront Park in the subject line. We will send you a link to background information to help prepare you for the discussion on February 2nd.

Planning for the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway is made possible by the New York State Department of State with funds provided under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund sponsored by the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President.

Weather Emergency Declared

2011-01-26T10:27:00.000-08:00

What that means:

NYC DECLARES WEATHER EMERGENCY

NYC has declared a weather emergency. The snow is forecast to become more severe this evening and overnight.

The public is urged to avoid all unnecessary driving during the duration of the storm and until further directed, and to use public transportation wherever possible. If you must drive, use extreme caution. Information about any service changes to public transportation is available on the MTA website.

Any vehicle found to be blocking roadways or impeding the ability to plow streets shall be subject to towing at the owner's expense.

Effective immediately, alternate side parking, payment at parking meters and garbage collections are suspended citywide until further notice.

The Emergency Management, Fire, Police, Sanitation, and Transportation Commissioners will be taking all appropriate and necessary steps to preserve public safety and to render all required and available assistance to protect the security, well-being and health of the residents of the City.

CGNA Meeting Tonight

2011-01-26T08:37:00.000-08:00

7:00pm - 9:00pm, Rain or Shine
Hannah Senesh Community Day School
342 Smith Street between 1st and 2nd Places

AGENDA
Introduction and Welcome

Report from 76th Precinct Community Affairs Officers:
Det. Paul Grudzinski and Officer Vincent Marrone

Elected Officials, representatives:
Jonah Blumstein, Liaison, CCmember Brad Lander; Tamar Smith, State Assemblywoman Joan Millman; Alex DeLisi, Sen. Dan Squadron; Dan Wiley, Rep. N. Velasquez; Luke DePalma, BP Marty Markowitz.
Introduce: P. Rheaume and Veronica Aveis, Cong. Yvette Clarke

SPEAKERS:
City Councilmember Brad Lander: State of the Borough updates and plans.

Mr. Isaac Fischmann, developer 333 Carroll St.: Update on plans for the 333 building

CGNA Committee Reports
Health & Hospitals: Colleen Giunta
Land Use/Landmarks: Glenn Kelly and John Hatheway
Parks: Barbara Brookhart (BBP)
Transportation: Gary Reilly

Everyone welcome!

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011._,_.___

The CGNA listserv is an all volunteer community forum serving Carroll Gardens. Everyone from the neighborhood - renters, owners, business owners and others who work here - are welcome.

The CGNA meets at the Hannah Senesh Community Day School, 342 Smith St (1st & 2nd Pl) on the Fourth Wednesday of each month (except for school holidays in *February and *April).

The 2011 calendar: Wednesday, *Feb. 16, Mar. 23,* Apr. 13, May 25, June 22.

CB6 Environmental Protection, Public Safety, & Permits and Licenses Meeting Tonight

2011-01-24T13:37:00.000-08:00

And it's a full agenda after our last meeting was blizzarded out. Conveniently located at PS 58, 6:30pm.

Jan 24 Public Safety/Environmental Protection/Permits/Licenses
Presentation and discussion with a representative for the Department of Environmental Protection on the NYC Green Infrastructure plan, a a new plan to utilize "green infrastructure" improve the quality of waterways around New York City by capturing and retaining stormwater to reduce sewer overflows.

Presentation and discussion with a representative for the Stormwater Infrastructure Matters (S.W.I.M.) coalition, a Citywide coalition dedicated to ensuring swimmable waters around New York City through natural, sustainable stormwater management practices in our neighborhoods.

Presentation and review of a cabaret license application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Paris Burlesque Club at 18 Commerce Street (between Columbia/Richards Streets).

Presentation and review of an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of Paris Burlesque Club at 18 Commerce Street (between Columbia/Richards Streets).

(Laid over from November) Presentation and review of a renewal unenclosed sidewalk cafe permit application submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs on behalf of Stone Park Corner LLC at 324 5th Avenue (northwest corner 5th Avenue/3rd Street), to permit 11 tables and 22 seats.

(Laid over from December) Presentation and review of an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of 381 7th Avenue Restaurant LLC at 381 7th Avenue (between 11th/12th Streets).

(Laid over from December) Presentation and review of an on-premises liquor license application submitted to the State Liquor Authority on behalf of 140 Business LLC at 140 7th Avenue (between Carroll St/Garfield Pl).

(Laid over from December) Review and discussion of potential addition to the Brooklyn CB6 Responsible Development Policy.

PS 58 Auditorium
330 Smith Street
(at First Place)
Brooklyn, NY 11231

Despite that address, if I recall correctly we always enter from the Carroll Street side.

Court Street Utility Debacle Continues

2011-01-20T12:35:00.000-08:00

Here's the latest on the Court Street Utility Debacle that began with leaking gas on Tuesday night and escalated with a broken water line yesterday from the 76th Precinct:

*Update on the partial street collapse on Court Street, between 1st and 2nd Place.

One lane of traffic on Court Street has now been re-opened. All agencies are working together to limit the impact on the community. It is still unknown at this time how long the work will take to complete. Should Court Street need to be closed again, a new traffic diversion plan has been established between the 76th Precinct and the Traffic Agents that should reduce the traffic congestion that was experienced earlier.

So what happened? (Katia already entirely beat me to this, but I've already written the post, so here's my experience and pictures anyway) On Wednesday afternoon Mia was returning from work on Long Island. "What's going on? Our block is closed off, Court Street is blocked off, there's emergency vehicles and police everywhere." Time to investigate. Outside, 1st Place was empty, but I could see the commotion at Court Street.

Traffic on Court was being diverted at President Street. Court Street was ripped open in front of CVS between 1st and 2nd Place.

The pictures don't really capture the scope of the activity. 1st Place resident Barbara reported:

There was a gas leak in front of CVS last night that you could smell throughout the neighborhood, and Court Street was closed, and they were detouring cars up 1st Place to Smith. It was pretty noisy outside, as cars were unhappy. It was pretty scary - as you couldn't help but think of the San Bruno, Pacific Gas and Light explosion.

Paradoxically, it was not fire but water that caused the greatest disruptions. From the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, via CB6 yesterday...

Court St has been temporarily closed between the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and President St in Brooklyn due to a flooding condition. Expect heavy traffic delays in the area.

National Grid has cut and capped a gas main which services 391 thru 395 Court Street (one building with several addresses). The building has no gas at this time. During repairs a 4-inch sprinkler service water main was broken. DEP has isolated the break.

DEP and FDNY are removing 5 feet of water in building's basements on Court Street between 1st Place and 2nd Place. Court Street is closed from President Street going south. The B57 bus line is being rerouted. OEM operations continue.

Early Wednesday evening OEM issued the following update:
Update on Court Street Water Leak from Mayor's Office of Emergency Management...

An Interagency meeting was conducted with the following agencies in attendance: Con Ed, National Grid, DEP, DOT, NYPD, FDNY, building owner, and the building owner's contractor.

DEP states that all residents have had water service restored. The source of the leak has been identified as the sprinkler service line. The sprinkler line service has been discontinued and the water leak has been terminated.

Con Ed will first have to remove duct infrastructure before the building contractor can begin work on repairing the sprinkler line. Con Ed is going to start their operations as soon as manpower and material are on scene either tonight or tomorrow morning.

National Grid is placing a temporary service line to restore all effected costumers. National Grid will begin perrmanent repair work after the building contractor has completed his phase of the repair work. All customers will have gas service restored tonight.

DOT is going to open up the west side of Court Street to vehicle traffic until work begins tomorrow morning. DOT will place pedestrian safety control devices at the location tonight. Vehicle traffic will be closed tomorrow morning when repair work begins again. The hole to be back filled is approximately 10x30 feet. DOT will return tomorrow morning to coordinate the back filling process. Backfilling will be conducted in phases of repair. Backfilling will be in conjunction with each utility company's completion of repair work.

The building owner has hired a licensed water main contractor that will begin repair work to the sprinkler line after Con Ed has removed electric duct work from the affected area for safety reasons.

NYPD will maintain a presence for vehicle and pedestrian traffic. FDNY has concluded de-watering operations and is taking up from the scene.

It's amazing what an impact a seemingly small utility issue can have isn't it? On my walk back from the YMCA last night there were a lot of frustrated drivers on Court and side streets between Atlantic and 1st Place. Fortunately, the sidewalks were open for business.

Growing Pains, Fulton Rains

2011-01-20T11:39:00.000-08:00

I passed through the recently (and aptly) re-named Fulton Street (formerly Broadway-Nassau) subway station for the first time in months on Tuesday. Due to the construction work overhead it was actually raining on the platform in places.

While this project has taken forever, I am really looking forward to seeing and using the finished product. This place used to be a stinking dungeon - I can't wait to see a more open layout with some natural light.

Also finally had a chance to use the Jay-Street Metrotech connection to the R an hour later. Very nicely done, and actually more convenient than I had imagined it.

Marty Markowitz Smartens Up

2011-01-19T11:36:00.000-08:00

Hey Brooklyn - Smarten Up!

I'm a month late to posting this, but now that I've had a chance to clean up my desk it's still worth putting up. Cycling and livable streets advocates have had a contentious relationship with the Borough President. I've personally found his perspective on bike lanes, traffic calming and PPW in particular to be . . . frustrating. So I was genuinely and pleasantly surprised when the BP's office came out with this informative and balanced flyer.

A timely reminder that even when you disagree, even strongly, on some issues there can be areas of common ground to work together. Anyway, this is a welcome step in the right direction.

Why Blog?

2011-01-19T08:55:00.000-08:00

Barry Ritholtz nails the right reasons for blogging, at least as they apply to me personally. There are many times when I let this blog lie dormant, always because of a crowded and/or inconvenient work and meeting schedule. And when it's dormant, I have a constant gnawing feeling as my creative side, such as it is, demands an outlet.

I'm constantly posting things to my Google Buzz feed, because it's so easy, and occasionally to Facebook, but neither is a satisfying substitute for blogging. Now that I've finally got it set up the way I like it (a mere three and a half years after starting) I expect to have a more interactive experience with the occasional friends, random commenters and trolls who stop by.

CB6 Meeting 1/20: DOT Reports On PPW Bike Lanes

2011-01-18T19:37:00.000-08:00

DATE: THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011

TIME: 6:30 PM

PLACE:

OLD FIRST REFORMED CHURCH

729 CARROLL STREET

(CORNER OF 7TH AVENUE)

BROOKLYN, NY 11215

A G E N D A

- Presentation by representatives for the Department of Transportation on their findings and recommendations regarding the Prospect Park West bicycle lanes and traffic calming project installed in Summer 2010.

Thursday night is an important opportunity for PPW bike lane enthusiasts to hear the latest from DOT and show support for the lanes.

There is a small cadre of PPW residents who are implacably opposed to the bike lanes for a variety of parochial reasons. It is imperative that the people who use and appreciate the bike lanes on PPW come out to relate, with well-reasoned and respectful language, why the bike lanes are important to the community.

I understand that Neighbors for Better Bike Lanes (the curiously named opposition group whose members showed up to heckle at our last meeting to review the Lander/Levin bike lane survey results) will be there to demonstrate their opposition to the lanes.

It's no secret that I'm a supporter of the traffic calming bike lanes that DOT installed on Prospect Park West last year. I do believe that the lanes can and should get an aesthetic makeover to blend in better with the Park they abut - think West Side Highway where the bike lanes make an attractive component of the riverfront park.

A small, vocal and well-funded minority wants to scrap the lanes altogether and return PPW to a three-lane speedway. And we can't let that happen.

Petition to Temporarily Extend B68 Bus Route During Culver Viaduct Work-Related Station Closures

2011-01-18T18:07:00.000-08:00

Councilman Lander has a petition up asking the MTA to temporarily extend the B68 to 9th Street and 8th Avenue to alleviate the impacts of the Culver Viaduct reconstruction. From Lander's email:

MTA representatives (including Thomas Pendergast, President of New York City Transit) told us that they believe that “backriding” (i.e. taking the train south) to Church Avenue, and then switching to the northbound trains, will be the fastest option for F/G riders. That may be true for some, but I strongly believe that extending service on existing bus routes would be quicker for many others who will be extremely inconvenienced by the station closures, and is the right thing for the MTA to do.

One great suggestion I have heard from many of you is to extend the B68 bus (which runs along Prospect Park Southwest and Coney Island Avenue) past its usual terminus at Bartel Pritchard Square (at the 15th St/PPSW Station), to 9th St and 8th Ave, where riders could pick up the F train. This would make for an easier commute into Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn for many in Windsor Terrace and Kensington. MTA officials agreed to take another look at this idea.

So I have set up a petition, and my staff and I will be out on Tuesday morning, together with the Straphangers Campaign, at the 15th Street and Ft. Hamilton stations gathering signatures. Please stop by on your way in, or sign the petition online.

The MTA did agree to a few small modifications, including:

Monitor the B61 bus and increase service if necessary

Add a stop on the B35 Limited (express) bus at Church Avenue and Ocean Parkway/E. 7th Street

Ask the NYC DOT to add bike parking at the Church Ave and 7th Ave stops

Distribute more information on existing bus routes that connect these lines

By themselves, though, these are not enough. I know that this is an extremely frustrating situation for transit riders in Windsor Terrace and Kensington. The station closures are part of a project necessary to rehabilitate the aging F/G line. But the MTA can do better to provide some alternatives. I will continue to push, and hope you will join me.

I've signed on. I hope you will too.

Alternate Side Suspended Tuesday, METERS IN EFFECT

2011-01-17T13:26:00.000-08:00

We took care of some errands in the neighborhood today and saw the meter maids giving out tickets like candy on Halloween.

Just because alternate side parking is suspended, it doesn't mean that meters are free.

Alternate side parking (street cleaning) regulations will be suspended Tuesday, January 18, 2011. All other regulations, including parking meters, remain in effect.

More on the F/G Service Disruptions

2011-01-16T15:41:00.000-08:00

*UPDATED BELOW*
The Brooklyn Downtown Star called me about the upcoming service disruptions on the Culver Line (F&G trains) that will leave many riders at Ft. Hamilton Parkway and 15th Street stations in the lurch.

Transit advocates and local Councilman Brad Lander have called for NYC Transit to provide shuttle service along the affected route during the duration of the outages. The unfortunate reality is that that is unlikely to happen. Ideally, the MTA could take this opportunity to test out something new, such as running bus service through the Battery Tunnel to supplement the affected service area. But the chances for robust mitigation were essentially doomed when the State Senate smothered Congestion Pricing (and/or East River Bridge Tolls).

I applaud our City Council Member Brad Lander for standing up for the residents of the 39th District and the visitors who depend on the F/G lines for their mobility. But until our dysfunctional state legislature provides sustainable means of funding for NYC Transit, the burden will fall on the riding public in the form of increasing fares and diminishing services.

One thing you can do to let Albany know how important reliable mass transit is to NYC is join the Rider Rebellion sponsored by Transportation Alternatives.

UPDATE: I received this comment from Councilman Lander, which clarifies the service mitigation he is requesting:

One small thing: what we are actually pushing for on the F/G is not shuttle service, but simply a short/temporary extension of the B68 (which runs up Coney Island Avenue and Prospect Park SW, through sections of Windsor Terrace & Kensington served by the 2 stations there facing closures) from its current terminus at Bartel Pritchard Square/15th Street Station, to the 7th Avenue F/G Station.

We'll have an online petition up tomorrow, and Straphangers & I will be out at the stations tomorrow petitioning live.

This is a sensible and cost-effective fix that would be a win for everyone involved. Transit users would gain from the improved service mitigation, and the MTA could benefit from some much needed good press.

F/G Service Disruptions Starting . . . Now

2011-01-14T19:33:00.000-08:00

I'll have more on this later, but for now two things.

1. Shuttle buses replace subway service on the F/G lines between Jay Street and Church Avenue this weekend.

2. Four months of pain for riders at the Fort Hamilton Parkway and 15th Street F stations begin early Saturday (midnight Friday night). Even greater hardships await users of the Smith-9th Street station over the next two years.

Both 1 and 2 above are due to necessary work on the Culver Viaduct Rehabilitation. For more on the these disruptions, and indeed for all your weekend service advisory needs, head to Second Avenue Sagas for the scoop.

Image credit - MTA via Second Avenue Sagas.

Cabaret In DUMBO

2011-01-14T18:13:00.000-08:00

I've been talking about seeing this show for going on two years now. Still haven't seen it. And once again this weekend we have something else planned. But it looks like a great time. Has anyone seen it?

One of these days.

E-Recycling Sunday @ Prospect Park

2011-01-14T18:02:00.000-08:00

The time has come to recycle those old cell phones and broken computer gear gathering dust in the junk drawers, closets and dark corners of your home. These products typically contain toxic elements such as heavy metals and should never be tossed out with your regular trash. Get some fresh air and walk them over to Prospect Park this Sunday. From my inbox:

This weekend is the electronic waste recycling event at
Prospect Park. The Lower East Side Ecology Center will be visiting our
district again to relieve us of our e-waste and make sure it gets reused or
recycled.

Sunday, January 16, 2011, 10am to 4pm, Rain or Shine
Drop Off Site: Prospect Park entrance at Prospect Park West and 3rd Street,
Brooklyn

They accept... working & non-working computers, monitors, printers,
scanners, keyboards, mice, cables, TV's, VCR's, DVD players, phones,
audio/visual equipment, cell phones & PDA's.

Downloadable flyer for the event is available here:
http://www.brooklyncb6.org/announcements/#8

Best, Craig

Craig R. Hammerman
District Manager
Brooklyn Community Board 6

Chris Christie, Colossal Failure

2011-01-13T07:26:00.000-08:00

Another indication of Chris Christie's contempt for transit, or merely an unfortunate lapse?

The NJ Transit site is down, because the domain lapsed on January 7th and wasn't renewed.

Of course, this is the one day I have to take an NJ Transit train.

Snow Emergency Declared

2011-01-11T14:52:00.000-08:00

Looks like the Mayor's Office has decided one serving of egg on Hizzoner's face is enough for this snow season, thankyouverymuch:

WEATHER EMERGENCY DECLARATION

At the direction of the Mayor, the public is hereby advised that significant snowfall has been forecast for tonight.

The public is urged to avoid all unnecessary driving during the duration of the storm and until further directed, and to use public transportation wherever possible. If you must drive, use extreme caution. Information about any service changes to public transportation is available on the MTA website.

Any vehicle found to be blocking roadways or impeding the ability to plow streets shall be subject to towing at the owner's expense.

Effective immediately, alternate side parking, payment at parking meters and garbage collections are suspended citywide until further notice.

The Emergency Management, Fire, Police, Sanitation, and Transportation Commissioners will be taking all appropriate and necessary steps to preserve public safety and to render all required and available assistance to protect the security, well-being and health of the residents of the City.

Visit the MTA homepage for updates about mass transit

Report heat and hot water issues to 311 online

The Honorable Raymond Lohier

2010-12-21T15:11:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to CB6 Public Safety Committee Chairman Ray Lohier, who has been confirmed to fill Justice Sotomayor's old seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (an incredibly prestigious appointment).

Ray is sharp, thoughtful, measured and civic-minded to boot. The public is lucky to add a man of his caliber to the bench. I feel honored to know him and look forward to great things from him in the judiciary. Congrats!

Brooklyn Community Board 6 Holiday Party TONIGHT 12/14

2010-12-14T06:42:00.000-08:00

When I was new to the area and wanted to get involved in our local civic life I made a point to attend the CB6 Holiday party. It's a great place to meet and socialize with some of the people who volunteer their time to make our neighborhoods a better place to live. We have a fantastic and dedicated District Manager in Craig Hammerman - I'd put him up against any District manager in the city - but Craig and his staff get by on a shoestring budget. So please stop by to partake in a little holiday cheer and help support the staff that does so much for our community. True, times are tough and money is tight, but this is one charitable contribution that not only feels good but makes a direct investment in your own backyard. See you tonight!

CB6 Annual Holiday PARTY!

Brooklyn Community Board 6 2010 Holiday Party

Tuesday December 14th
6:00 to 9:00 PM

The DRAM Shop
339 9th Street
(between 5th/6th Avenues) - convenient to our beloved F train
Brooklyn, NY 11215

$30 per person
Cash Bar
All are welcome, bring a friend!

(The CB6 Holiday Party is a fundraiser for “Friends of Brooklyn CB6, Inc.,” our 501-c-3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the work of CB6. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please consider including a year-end charitable gift above the cost of the party. Checks should be made out to “Friends of Brooklyn CB6, Inc.” Thank you!)

New Hyper-Local Site: Welcome, Carroll Gardens Patch!

2010-12-05T07:17:00.000-08:00

There's a brand new site focused on Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill: the Carroll Gardens Patch.

More news is good news when it comes to local coverage. All ready the patch has articles and opinion pieces up on Gowanus CSO remediation efforts, the Clean Ports Bill and greening the BQE trench, and the battle over condos in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

I'm looking forward to much more from our newest local blog.

Gowanus Whole Foods Update

2010-11-29T09:32:00.000-08:00

This just in - at first glance, many improvements to the previous plan, but we'll need to take a close look to see where further improvements can be made:

DATE: November 29, 2010

RE: Great News: Whole Foods Market moving forward with first Brooklyn store at 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street

I am writing with some extremely positive news: Whole Foods Market is now officially moving forward with the development of our first ever Brooklyn store located on our property at 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street! We want to thank you and the entire community for your patience as we've worked to revise our plans and clean up the property. We're also proud to have finalized a development plan and are confident that Whole Foods Market will be a terrific addition to the neighborhood.

While we will be happy to set up a meeting and/or provide you with more detailed information in the coming weeks about the proposed store and our plans, we wanted to share this good news and provide a brief overview of our intentions as soon as possible. Our commitment to Brooklyn and our desire to invest in the greater Gowanus community are stronger than ever, and as we hope you will see, our new development plan is extremely responsive to the surrounding neighborhood and its residents.

Our property, which was formerly home to a number of auto repair shops, warehouses and other industrial uses, has now been fully cleaned and remediated under the strict guidelines of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's brownfield program and is ready to return to a positive, productive, job-creating and community service use.

Our planned new store will be approx. 52,000 square feet, which is about 25% smaller than the store we had previously proposed for this site. We believe this site plan - which continues to feature a 40 foot public esplanade for our neighbors to enjoy - will simply work better within the parameters of the property.

We have reduced the number of parking spaces on-site from 430 to 248, which eliminates our previous need for a separate parking structure and allows all of the parking to be at-grade in a surface parking lot. The store will feature parking for both energy efficient vehicles as well as specially designated recharging stations for electric powered vehicles. The lot will also include bike parking in front of the store and along the promenade. Whole Foods Market will also offer delivery for area residents.

With parking now no longer needed on the store roof either, we have been presented with the opportunity to include one of the most exciting and innovative features ever included in a Whole Foods Market: A 20,000 square foot greenhouse located on the roof of the store that will grow fresh, organic produce right on-site!

Rather than construct the store below-grade as previously proposed, we now plan to build it above-grade, which will require a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals due to the physical hardships associated with site development (there is a high water table and, as you know, environmental cleanup requirements on the property). These factors have a large impact on the development costs that will be encountered on this site.

As always planned, the two-story, 19th century brick building situated at the property's corner at Third Avenue and Third Street - which is not owned by Whole Foods Market - will remain in place. The Whole Foods Market will "jog" around the existing building at that corner and Whole Foods has committed to investing in improvements to the building that will include a new roof and exterior repairs.

Finally, you should know that our commitment to local hiring, community investment and the creation of high-quality Whole Foods Market jobs (with excellent benefits) remains unchanged. This new store will create approx. 350 new jobs - fully 70% of which are expected to be full-time positions - and we look forward to working with you and other local stakeholders to ensure that the surrounding community has full access to these new opportunities.

As we hope you can see, we are extremely excited about the opportunity to finally provide Brooklyn residents with convenient access to their own Whole Foods Market. We believe we have developed a plan that is responsive to the surrounding community and look forward to sharing additional details with you in the coming weeks. Thank you and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Cuomo: New York Will Take Their HSR Funds, Thank You

2010-11-08T07:15:00.000-08:00

A few newly elected GOP governors ran against high speed rail . . . and have pledged to eschew hundreds of millions of dollars in Federal HSR funding.

Governor-elect Cuomo has an idea about where those funds should go.

Who knew that electing cretins in other states might be a boon to NY's rail infrastructure?

Brooklyn Greenway Party Thursday at FIND

2010-11-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative is one of my favorite local activist organizations, and their annual fundraisers are consistently a great time. Attend the party this Thursday to support the terrific work they're doing to unite the people of Brooklyn with their waterfront. From BGI:

“FIND” Your Way to the Greenway...for BGI's Fall Party!
Thursday, November 4th, 6:00-9:00PM
We're excited to be partnering again with FIND Home Furnishings for a fall benefit to support the development of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. We will also be acknowledging Council Members Brad Lander and Steve Levin for securing BGI's first City Council funding, and Waste Management for supporting BGI's stewardship programs!
Join fellow greenway supporters for great food, drink, music and raffle prizes on Thursday, November 4th, 6:00-9:00PM. Tickets are just $25, or two for $40. Get your tickets today!
There will be plenty of room to spread out and raise spirits and funds over drinks & food from local restaurants, including 5 Burro, Lilla Cafe, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Rocky Sullivan's, Union Market, Fort Defiance, Six Point Craft Ales, Alma, Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pies and Nine Cakes, along with live jazz music from Hot Johnsons in FIND's expansive showroom at 9th Street and the Gowanus Canal.
Don't miss your chance to win one of many raffle items from FIND, Brooklyn Winery, RICE, Rolling Orange Bikes, Massage Therapy by Gerald Pulis, Ground Up Designers, Urban Oyster, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Bar Tano, New York Water Taxi, Circle Line Downtown, Water Taxi Beach, and more!
Thanks to our major event sponsors aptsandlofts.com, Con Edison, FIND Home Furnishings, Industry City Associates, and S Clubs Fitness Spa & Lifestyle . Additional sponsorship provided by Brooklyn Bridge Realty, Cozen O'Connor and Waste Management.

Buy Tickets!

The Tea Party, In A Nutshell

2010-10-31T10:29:00.000-07:00

This is absolutely brilliant.

Please remember to vote on November 2 - this year I'll be voting for Democratic candidates on Row E (Working Families) to send a message to my (Democratic) Party: your base is the working class people that form the backbone of this society. Ignore our needs at your peril.

More Halloween Fun at Brooklyn Bridge Park

2010-10-28T08:43:00.000-07:00

Attention area adults! After you've had your fill of karaoke and cider at Carroll Park the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Junior Committee is sponsoring a Halloween party on Saturday in order to raise funds for the free public programming in the park. Free programming is the lifeblood of a great public space - and who doesn't love a good Halloween Party? Details below:

ALL HALLOWS EVE BASH

DATE: Saturday, October 30

TIME: 8:00pm-1:00am

LOCATION: One Brooklyn Bridge Park (360 Furman Street, entrance through retail on waterside of building)

Join the Conservancy's Junior Committee for our first Halloween party, at One Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Enjoy cocktails - including Blood and Sand, a signature Halloween cocktail provided by Highland Park Scotch Whiskey, music, dancing, a costume contest, video decoration by local artist Geoff Matters, festive atmosphere and more! All proceeds support free public programming in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
TICKETS: All ticket prices include admission, drinks, music, food, dancing and costume contest!

Mischief Maker: $400 Friend Pack for 10 - (deadline pushed to 10/29 due to popularity)

Prankster: $100 VIP tickets (includes a special gift bag with the new book, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents Earth (The Book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race, Highland Park Scotch Whiskey, Conservancy-shirts and more!)

Trickster: $50 in advance/ $65 at the door
To buy tickets: https://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/index.cfm?objectid=EE3D2660-3048-7098-AFA3EB22366DD228
For questions, e-mail Samantha Dodds (sdodds@bbpc.net) or call 718-802-0603 x22
**Must be 21+ to enter

Halloween Karaoke at Carroll Park!

2010-10-28T06:01:00.000-07:00

The Friends of Carroll Park are sponsoring two great, super fun Halloween events.

Costume Karaoke Party (this looks especially great)
Saturday, October 30th

Come dressed as your favorite rock star! Party with your friends and family near the park house from 5:00 – 9:00 and sing some of your favorite songs with Lion’s Roar Karaoke and their 10,000 song library. Hot cider will be available, and some snacks if we can muster them! Suggested donation of $1 per song to benefit Friends of Carroll Park.

Halloween Parade
Sunday, October 31

Gather at 12:30 p.m. in the park and we’ll parade up Smith Street toward Warren, then back down Court Street to the park. The first 100 kids to show up will receive free noisemakers. Step on out to have some fun showing off your costumes!
Both events are sponsored by Scotto Wines On Court Street

Fourth Avenue Walkabout - Saturday 11/6

2010-10-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

Reproduced in full from the Park Slope Civic Council's press release because (a) I can and (b) it's a good program I hope you'll check out.

MOVING FORWARD ON FOURTH

Park Slope Civic Council to Host a Walk along Fourth Avenue

To Discuss the Latest Developments on Growing Boulevard

Fourth is in flux -- Have your say!

Fourth Avenue is undergoing major changes that will impact the residents of Park Slope and surroundings communities, including the local environment, the commute to and from work, and even the ability to park. The Park Slope Civic Council wants to inform our neighbors about these prospective changes, and get more ideas about what should happen along this avenue on the rise.
JOIN THE CIVIC COUNCIL FOR "MOVING FORWARD ON FOURTH":

A WALKABOUT TO DISCUSS THE EVOLUTION OF FOURTH AVENUE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010, 9:30 a.m.

Fourth Avenue and Ninth Street, under the east underpass of the subway station

(Rain date: Sunday, November 7, 2:30 PM)

* Learn about prospective plans for the Fourth Avenue / Ninth Street subway station

* Learn about improvements to safety along Fourth Avenue already underway

* Learn about plans to plant, beautify, and green along the corridor

* Learn about renovations to Washington Park (formerly JJ Byrne Park)

* Learn about proposals for the empty lot at Fourth Avenue and Sackett Street

* Give your ideas / feedback / suggestions for further, better improvements

Improvements to the Fourth Avenue corridor between the Prospect Expressway and Flatbush Avenue -- while slow to arrive -- are definitely coming! This is a chance for everyone to have a voice in what happens on Fourth Avenue.

To register for this event, send your name to fofa@parkslopeciviccouncil.org.

Moving Forward on Fourth is an outgrowth from the Park Slope Civic Council's forum on "The Future of Fourth Avenue," a wide-ranging, community-building discussion held earlier this year to help shape progress along this important part of the neighborhood. More information about the forum and the Civic Council's efforts along Fourth can be found at www.parkslopeciviccouncil.org/futureof4thavenue.

First Gowanus Superfund CAG Meeting Is Tonight

2010-10-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

Didn't get your fill of the Gowanus at last night's CB6 meeting on the Flushing Tunnel? Bop on over to the American Can Factory tonight at 7:00 for the first Community Advisory Group meeting on Superfunding the Gowanus Canal.

Pardon Me For Asking has the details.

Brooklyn Do-Gooders - Vote Early, Vote Often!

2010-10-07T06:54:00.000-07:00

The Brooklyn Community Foundation (formerly the Independence Community Foundation) is the largest grant-giving organization in Brooklyn, and is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its new incarnation with a "Brooklyn Does Good" celebration.

Nominees have been submitted from the community, and the community gets to vote for "Brooklyn Do Gooders" - up to five votes per day until voting closes on October 15th. Winners will be feted at a celebration on November 3rd, and a $5,000 grant will be made to the 501(c)3 charity of their choosing in their name. Altogether a great program.

As it turns out, I have personally worked with a few of the candidates, and I encourage you to send your votes their way (either all or in part) daily:

Maria Pagano - Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association (and more)
Brian McCormick - Brooklyn Greenway Initiative
Dave "paco" Abraham - Transportation Alternatives Brooklyn Committee, tireless advocate for safer streets
Shannon Hummel - CORA dance
Rita Miller - CORD

Now get out there and vote like it's Tammany Hall!

Northeast Corridor Commission

2010-10-01T12:51:00.000-07:00

I've been banging the drum for better regional rail planning for years. This is the sort of talk that gets me excited:

Today, the Obama Administration is working to achieve a vision of similar scope and scale. As with the interstate highways during the 1950s, we haven’t yet drawn all the lines on the map. But we are on track to creating a modern, high-speed rail system that will support sustained economic growth.

President Obama and I welcome the ambition of Amtrak's thinking, and we hope to see it spread across the nation as Americans recognize and demand the benefits of high-speed rail.

Because this train will not be stopped. And I promise you: In less time than it took to plan and pave our vast system of inter-connected highways, you will see high-speed trains carry significant numbers of Americans within and between regions.

Amtrak's Ambitious Plan for Northeast Corridor

2010-09-28T09:55:00.000-07:00

I don't have much to add to what Yonah Freemark has written at The Transport Politic on Amtrak's proposal for true high speed rail on the Northeast Corridor, except that if it were up to me, the Obama administration would be pushing hard for a major infrastructure stimulus package.

As I've written in the past, the stimulus the administration has sought so far was at least a trillion short of what the country needs . . . and needs directed into infrastructure projects. This proposal shouldn't be a 30-year plan . . . it should be a ten year plan and it deserves massive federal funding.

TORNADO WATCH!

2010-09-28T08:54:00.001-07:00

Be careful out there people. Just spoke to my neighbor this morning, they suffered over $100K damage to their building. Ouch.

TORNADO WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WT 686

NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK

1100 AM EDT TUE SEP 28 2010

TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM EDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

NEW YORK COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ALBANY, BRONX, BROOME,

CHENANGO, COLUMBIA, DELAWARE,

DUTCHESS, GREENE, KINGS,

MADISON, MONTGOMERY, NASSAU,

NEW YORK, ONEIDA, ORANGE,

OTSEGO, PUTNAM, QUEENS,

RENSSELAER, RICHMOND, ROCKLAND,

SCHENECTADY, SCHOHARIE, SULLIVAN,

ULSTER, WESTCHESTER

New Van Service Along Old B71 Route

2010-09-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

TLC Commissioner David Yassky came to the CB6 Transportation Committee to introduce this service on the night of the tornadoes. It is very much a work in progress. We all wish to have the B71 back. In the meantime, Council Member Brad Lander sent out this note to mark the start of the new service - and to ask for your feedback. So tell him (and tell me in comments, for that matter) - how is it? Your feedback will help make the best of a difficult situation. Brad's note to constituents is below:

Today is the first day of the new "Group Ride Vehicle Pilot Program" that the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (NYC TLC) has launched to provide shared ride van service along the former B71 route bus route.

As I am sure you know, the B71 bus route, which ran along Union Street and Eastern Parkway, was eliminated by the MTA in June, over the vehement objections of neighborhood residents, as well as myself and my colleagues. This new "group ride" service will never be a full replacement for the B71 bus service, as it does not meet the needs of disabled commuters and does not take MetroCards or allow transfers. I plan to keep fighting for the restoration of the B71 and other essential bus routes.

Nonetheless, given that the MTA has eliminated the route, I am grateful to the TLC for offering this new service in Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, the Columbia Waterfront District and Park Slope.

The vans will charge a flat fare of $2 per ride. Vehicles will be clearly marked with the words "GROUP RIDE VEHICLE" on their exterior, and will have unique identifying decals in several locations, so be sure to check for these markers before you get on board.

The new vans will make the following stops, although riders may also request to be dropped off at locations along the route that are not among the specified stops.

This is a pilot program, so we are eager to hear your feedback. Please contact my office at 718-499-1090 or lander@council.nyc.gov to let us know your experiences, opinions and ideas regarding this new program.

My colleagues and I will continue to fight for restoration of more complete MTA service throughout Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, the Columbia Waterfront District and Park Slope, but in the meantime I hope you will find the Group Ride Vehicle Pilot Program useful.

Lawyer, Blogger, Civic Activist, Roadie

2010-06-28T22:56:00.000-07:00

Helping out Mia on a job and gaining an even greater appreciation for her hard work and dedication. This enormous tent will hold an audience of 2,000 twice a day for 10 days. It's been amazing to see it go up over just a couple of days. Hanging that backdrop was a huge pain in the . . . neck.

Fresh New Look, Same Crappy Awesome Blog

2010-06-18T07:10:00.000-07:00

It's been over three years since I started typing, with wildly varying frequency, some thoughts into this blog. I decided to spruce the place up a bit. The dark wood paneling and orange shag carpet were getting a bit dated and frankly, rather depressing.

I'm going to be somewhat indisposed for the next month, so posting should be no more sporadic than it has been for the past year or so. But I'm hoping to actually put a bit more time into writing over the next few weeks. There's a lot of policy issues at the federal state and local level that I'd like to address. As you might guess, a lot of it centers around infrastructure spending.

We've got 10% unemployment, tremendous borrowing capacity and near endless public works projects around the country that are crying out to be done. National High Speed Rail. Aging, ineffective sewer systems and power grids. Not to mention aging intra-city highways that could be replaced by tunneled alternatives (see, e.g, Gowanus Expressway, BQE) that would revitalize surrounding communities.

With the flight to quality in the markets today, US Bonds are in high demand. We always seem to be able to justify spending hundreds of billions on overseas military adventures. I'd like to see $1 Trillion invested in rebuilding our national infrastructure and putting Americans back to work.

Don't even get me started on the gibbering imbeciles preaching austerity - typically the same clowns who never met a war spending proposal or a tax cut for the rich they didn't like. That path leads to certain disaster. My plan might not solve all our problems, but at least we'll have something tangible for our money.

UPDATE: Calculated Risk, one of the best economics blogs out there, juxtaposes columns from Professor Paul Krugman and Professional Charlatan Alan Greenspan. Greenspan, who has been reliably wrong about everything for over thirty years and is one of the three people most responsible for the economic disaster in America, is of course preaching austerity. Of course the WSJ Op-Ed pages have never been fit to so much as line a bird cage or pick up your dog's poop with, so it is no surprise they would give him a soapbox. Greenspan should be pilloried and pelted with rotten produce for what he's done, yet he has no shame.

The Krugman column deserves your full read.

And because I can, here are some otters to cleanse the palate (h/t Naked Capitalism):

Biking Rules!, Brooklyn Greenway and more at CGNA 6/14

2010-06-12T06:37:00.000-07:00

For our last regular Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association meeting before the summer break we're covering a hot topic: bicycles.

As NYC has embraced more complete streets and livable streets initiatives, biking has made a comeback and is on the rise throughout the five boroughs. This welcome resurgence has not been without some friction: many people (drivers, bikers, pedestrians) are not aware of the rules of the road. When I was campaigning last year I recognized a lot of confusion (and occasional resentment) as the City took greater steps to share our streets among users. More than anything, people could use a primer on just what the rules are.

Are bikes allowed to ride on the sidewalk? (No!)

Are bikes allowed to ride in the street? (Yes!)

Can I double park my car in this bike lane? (No!)

How can I get a bike rack installed at X location?

On Monday night we'll have a representative from Transportation Alternatives on hand to talk about Biking Rules!, their educational program to educate all users, particularly cyclists, on the rules of the road.

And while we're talking about biking, we'll have a representative from the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative to talk about the latest developments with the Greenway, a locally created, now federally funded (thanks Congresswoman Velazquez!) 14-mile bike and pedestrian facility for the Brooklyn waterfront.

We may also have a representative from DOT to talk about the new bike lanes you may have noticed in the neighborhood and now along Prospect Park West.

All told, lots of good stuff on bikes. And I get to chair the meeting this month, while our President Maria Pagano recuperates from ankle surgery. Jeff Gillooly was worth every penny! In all seriousness, wish Maria a very swift recovery - we need her back on her feet soon with all that's going on in Carroll Gardens.

CGNA General Meeting

Monday, June 14, 2010
7:00PM-9:00PM
Hannah Senesh Community Day School
342 Smith St between First and Second Places

Late Reminder: Gowanus Canal Session TONIGHT

2010-05-11T12:22:00.001-07:00

May 11, 2010
7:00 - 9:00pm
PS 32, 317 Hoyt Street (at Union)

Katia has more details posted at Pardon Me For Asking.

Carroll Street Station Armed Muggings

2010-05-11T06:09:00.000-07:00

Wow. Two women were mugged at the Carroll Street subway station on the Coney Island-bound platform during last Friday's morning rush hour, the Brooklyn Paper reports.

I have a call in to the MTA for more information and will post more information when I have it.

Apparently the police have a perp description, but in the meantime please be aware of your surroundings.

2nd Annual PS 58 PTA Flea Market, SATURDAY 4/24

2010-04-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

The 2nd Annual PS 58 PTA Flea Market
Saturday April 24th, 10-4, no rain date
PS 58 Schoolyard, Carroll at Smith

Even bigger than last year- more vendors, more food and more fun!

All vendor proceeds and donations go to the school. Stop by!

Red Hook Mercado

2010-04-21T10:08:00.000-07:00

Oh yes. Mia and I will definitely be checking this out. I really miss the old atmosphere at the Red Hook Ballfields food vendors. The Parks Department did us all a serious disservice by forcing the vendors into trucks.

A seasonal outdoor weekend market will open on Van Brunt Street, the main drag of Brooklyn’s once-barren Red Hook neighborhood. Called Red Hook Mercado, for the Spanish word for market, it will include the open-air cooking of some of the vendors who cater to the weekend crowds at the Red Hook ball fields, as well as other well-known food vendors.

http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/a-market-for-red-hook/?ref=dining

Thanks to Barbara Brookhart for passing this on.

9th Street Bridge Overnight Closure May 6-7

2010-04-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

From CB6 District Manager Craig Hammerman:

Please be advised of the following upcoming planned bridge closure...

9th Street Bridge Over Gowanus Canal, Brooklyn

The NYC Department of Transportation Division of Bridges will fully close the 9th Street Bridge over the Gowanus Canal on Thursday, May 6, 2010 from 11pm until Friday, May 7, 2010 at 5am.

This closure is necessary to adjust counter weights and repair the lock system. Due to the full bridge closure traffic will be detoured to the Hamilton Avenue Bridges.

Additional information available by clicking here, or at the following link:
http://www.brooklyncb6.org/announcements/#12

YES! Espada Slush Operation Raided By FBI, IRS

2010-04-21T07:28:00.000-07:00

Fare Hike Four member and Senate turncoat cum Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada may finally face justice. In a state with no shortage of seedy political actors, Pedro Espada may be the sleaziest of them all. He is an out and out scumbag, thief, liar, and worse.

Espada conspired with Hiram Monserrate to swing control of the Senate to the Republicans, and ultimately extorted his current leadership position. He conspired with Monserrate, Carl Kruger, Ruben Diaz (each of whom have primary challengers I'm supporting this year) and Senate Republicans to block sustainable transit funding last year. He is directly responsible for the upcoming bus service cuts in Brooklyn.

Espada claims to represent a Bronx district, but in reality lives in a fancy house in Westchester. Perhaps that's why he has shown little sympathy for the needs of working New Yorkers: he lives in the suburbs! And for many years Espada has been operating a crony and family controlled slush fund in the form of Soundview Healthcare Network, which he has bled millions in public funding.

I am excited beyond words that Espada, a public menace, might finally be brought to justice. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's actions yesterday and the raids by federal agents this morning give me a renewed sense of hope.

FBI, IRS raid state Sen. Pedro Espada's Bronx clinic
http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/fbi_irs_raid_ny_state_senators.html

Brooklyn Bridge Park Meeting Tomorrow 4/21

2010-04-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

Via Cobble Hill Association:

Tomorrow, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21

Regina Myer, President of the BBP Development Corporation, will be coming to discuss the transfer of the park to the city and update the community on development plans and activities for Pier 6.

6:30 PM
LONG ISLAND COLLEGE HOSPITAL
339 HICKS STREET
(ATLANTIC & HICKS STREETS)
BROOKLYN,NEW YORK 11201

We encourage residents to attend this meeting and ask questions about this transfer, the continuing lack of community input on park elements and design (particularly the recreational facilities for which our association has long advocated), the extraordinary costs to build and maintain this park, and the continuing endorsement by the Mayor of private housing inside park borders.
Posted by Dave 'Paco' Abraham at 4/20/2010 01:01:00 PM

Brooklyn Bridge Rehab Is Coming

2010-04-19T15:30:00.000-07:00

Most people are blissfully unaware that a major rehab of the Brooklyn Bridge is coming up. The bridge is due to have it's lead paint blasted off in specially designed vacuum enclosures, and then to get a jaunty fresh coat of paint.

I'll have more on the Brooklyn Bridge rehab later - I have an independent report that I've been meaning to post about for oh, about a year. Interesting stuff.

http://www.tribecatrib.com/news/2010/april/578_first-phases-of-brooklyn-bridge-rehab-will-soon-begin.html

City Charter Revision - Brooklyn Meeting Tuesday 4/20

2010-04-19T14:46:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or has this gotten next to zero publicity? I consume a lot of news, and this would have slipped right by me if fellow CGNA board members hadn't emailed about it.

This is a big deal; it's not every day that the City Charter is revised. Details below:

Tuesday, April 20

• Place: St. Francis College, Founders Hall, 180 Remsen Street (between Court and Clinton Streets), Brooklyn, NY 11201-4398
• Time: Public Hearing to begin at 4 p.m., Public Meeting to begin at 6 p.m.
• Directions: By subway, take the 2, 3, 4, or 5 to Borough Hall, or A or C to Jay Street or R to Court Street. By bus, take the B25, B26, B38, B41, B51, or B52 to Court Street, or B37, B45 or B75 to Livingston Street or B54, B57, B61 or B67 to Jay Street or B103 to Adams Street.

The meetings and hearings are open to the public and anyone may sign-up to speak during the hearing segment of the evening. Individuals who wish to give testimony may begin signing-up one half-hour before the hearing. Everyone wishing to speak will be afforded an opportunity no matter what time they arrive during the hearing. Written testimony is encouraged and can be submitted at the hearings or submitted through the Contact the Commission link on the Commission’s website at www.nyc.gov/charter.

Brooklyn Greenway - Red Hook Workshop TONIGHT

2010-04-12T21:14:00.000-07:00

The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative is one of my favorite organizations in our fair borough. Against the odds, local activists formed a nonprofit to advocate for a 14-mile continuous Greenway to connect Brooklyn communities from Greenpoint to Sunset Park to our waterfront and parks. BGI's efforts have paid off big, and the Greenway momentum is gaining steam: thanks primarily to Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, more than $20 million of Federal funding has been secured for the project. NYC DOT has agreed to build the greenway - and now YOU have a chance to put in your two cents.

Workshop: Red Hook (CB6)
Tuesday, April 13th
6:30-8:30pm
Red Hook Recreation Center
155 Bay Street

RSVP to brooklynwaterfrontgreenway@dot.nyc.gov.

CBID Honors South Brooklyn Coalition

2010-04-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

The Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats had their Annual Awards Dinner this past Sunday night. Among the honorees was a confederation of community activists that spanned several neighborhood civic organizations (dubbed the South Brooklyn Coalition for the sake of brevity) who united to support Superfund designation for the Gowanus Canal. Katia has the summary, pics, and video.

The dashing fellow in the blue shirt? That's me.

The Sarah Palin Network

2010-04-11T11:10:00.000-07:00

Very funny.

Earth Hour; Lights Out March 27th

2010-03-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

From our esteemed colleague Paco at the Cobble Hill Association:

On March 27th, from 8:30pm to 9:30pm, a world wide event will take place called Earth Hour. It is a simple yet bold way to acknowledge climate change: turn off your lights. In 2009, nearly one billion people in 4,100 cities in 87 countries in each of the seven continents turned off their lights to observe Earth Hour.

And the best part is it won't cost you a cent.

http://cobblehillassociation.blogspot.com/2010/03/earth-hour-is-on-horizon.html

The Intersection of Luxe & Fail

2010-03-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

The once mighty Boymelgreen empire continues to crumble. Boymelgreen's bank LibertyPointe last week became the first New York Bank to fail in 11 years; a win by a nose, as the FDIC devoured another NY institution, Park Avenue Bank, the very next day. Unlike Park Avenue, however, LibertyPointe's failure was not immediately followed by criminal indictments. So they've got that going for them.

Boymelgreen is perhaps best known in Brooklyn for foisting the NOvo on 4th Avenue, as well as developingt 75 Smith (aka Luxe & Pop, across from the jail), and the ill-fated Gowanus Village concept that was never developed. A good thing, actually, since the Gowanus Village site will almost certainly require significant remediation during the Superfund process.

Boymelfail Link
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100312/FREE/100319964

Park Avenue Bank
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62E2Y520100315

Full Schedule Tonight - CGNA, Hate Crime Vigil

2010-03-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

We'll be shutting down the CGNA meeting early tonight to stand with our electeds and community leaders to send the message that Carroll Gardens will not accept hateful intolerance.

Schedule:

CGNA Monthly Meeting, 7:00 @ Hannah Senesh Day School

followed by

Hate Crime Vigil, 8:30 @ Luquer Street and Hamilton Avenue

From the Brooklyn Pride Center:

As you may know, a member of Brooklyn's LGBT community was recently assaulted in Carroll Gardens by a group of men shouting hateful, homophobic epithets. There will be a rally on Monday, 3/15 at 8:30pm. Join us and send the message that hate crimes against LGBT people or any other group will not be tolerated.

Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn
Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City
The Brooklyn Community Pride Center

and

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio
NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
Congressmember Nydia Velazquez
Congressmember Yvette Clarke
State Senator Daniel Squadron
Assemblymember Joan Millman
NYC Councilmember Brad Lander
NYC Councilmember Sara Gonzalez
NYC Councilmember Rosie Mendez
NYC Councilmember Danny Dromm
NYC Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer

In a vigil to condemn these hateful acts and demonstrate the strength and unity of our community on

Monday, March 15, at 8:30 p.m. at Luquer Street and Hamilton Avenue

Scarano Banned; Good People Everywhere Rejoice

2010-03-04T07:17:00.000-08:00

The NYT reports (via Brownstoner) that Robert Scarano, Architect and posterboy for everything that is wrong with self-certication, has been banned from filing construction plans with DOB.

Scarano of course is best known to Carroll Gardeners as the scurrilous fiend responsible for 333 Carroll Street (aka The Carroll Gardens Hell Building), the Satori (aka The Gowanus Bunker), and for the original Heavy Metal design of 360 Smith. Reviled by contextual development afficinados, people of good taste, and those who believe in complying with our building laws, Scarano was specifically targeted by then-Councilman Bill deBlasio for his flagrant, repeated and unrepentant abuse of the zoning code.

Scarano could conceivably be described as an honorary founding member of CORD, as his 360 Smith design proved to be a rallying point that the group coalesced to oppose. (I kid, I kid . . . sort of.)

His comeuppance was long past due.

http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2010/03/scarano_barred.php
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/nyregion/04scarano.html

The Future of 4th Avenue Forum - March 4

2010-03-02T08:06:00.000-08:00

The Park Slope Civic Council is hosting a forum on the Future of 4th Avenue this Thursday night. The event is being coordinated by PSCC Livable Streets Chair and transit guru Michael Cairl, and will focus on a vision for the future of this key Brooklyn artery. The forum goes beyond Park Slope/Gowanus to include Sunset Park and look at the broader picture presented by this key piece of connective infrastructure.

As Cairl says, this will be the beginning of a conversation about the future of 4th Ave. There is a tremendous potential here, but the corridor is currently facing a number of issues, from traffic to streetscape to zoning. The most recent (and controversial) rezoning, for example, has had the paradoxical consequence of creating dead spaces on the street where new residential towers have gone up, due to ground level parking and mechanicals.

And given that 4th Avenue features excellent subway access, these structures point up the absurdity of requiring onsite parking construction in new buildings. City Planning currently forces developers to suburbanize New York - a practice that must end.

This should be an excellent forum.

The Future of 4th Avenue
Thuresday, March 4, 2010, 7-9pm
St. Thomas Aquinas Church @ 4th Ave and Ninth St.

More:
http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2010/02/14/park_slope_courier/news/courier-yn_park_slope-psfourth.txt

Gowanus Superfunded

2010-03-02T06:51:00.000-08:00

Via Pardon Me For Asking, some good news for the polluted Gowanus Canal.

I saw the rumor this morning via the Courier and had my fingers crossed. My view has always been this was the only possible outcome from the moment DEC made the request to EPA to list the Gowanus Canal.

Opponents of Superfund were laboring under the illusion that Superfund designation would leave a cloud over the Gowanus . . . when in reality Superfund cleanup was the only way to clear the air once the referral was made. The die was cast when DEC had the integrity to make the request; Gowanus and Superfund would be discussed in the same breath thousands of times over the ensuing months. But the designation only acknowledges the underlying issue: the Gowanus Canal is heavily polluted. We could bury our heads in the muck like (soon to be) mutant ostrich, or face the issue head on.

Now let's get about the process of cleaning up.

http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2010/03/superfund-gowanus-canal-gets-listed.html

Cobble Hill Association Happy Hour

2010-03-01T11:28:00.000-08:00

What the title says - CHA happy hour this week:

When: Wednesday March 3, 6-9pm
Where: Watty & Meg, corner of Court and Kane Streets

No word on whether Norah Jones will be there to take questions about window treatments.

Squadron Steps Up: Carroll Gardens Courtyards Must Be Protected

2010-03-01T11:23:00.000-08:00

Hats off to Senator Dan Squadron, for recognizing how important it is to preserve the courtyards that are the signature of Carroll Gardens.

Pardon Me For Asking has the statement - forgive the formatting, I'm having some technical difficulties.

http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2010/02/state-senator-daniel-squadron-agrees-no.html

F Train Weekend Shuttle Schedule - Mark Your Calendars!

2010-02-08T09:42:00.000-08:00

Given the scope of the work that is being done on the Culver Viaduct (the elevated tracks between Carroll Street station and the 4th Avenue Station), 7 weekends in 2010 is not that bad. The bad news? Two of those weekends are right around the corner. The good news? I'll be out of town for one of them. :) (below from MTA via Senator Squadron's office)

Below, please find the weekends in 2010 when MTA NYC Transit will need to suspend F and G service between Jay Street and Church Avenue, due to the ongoing Culver Viaduct rehabilitation project. There will be more weekends in 2011, which I will be able to give you specific dates for later this year.
A shuttle bus will replace F G service between Jay Street and Church Avenue and will operate both local and express. Hours of operation for each weekend are 12:01 a.m. Saturdays through 5:00 a.m. Mondays.

February 20-22
February 27-March 1
May 8-10
May 15-17
May 22-24
November 13-15
November 20-22

New Signal Timing at Atlantic and Court Street Intersection

2010-01-29T12:15:00.000-08:00

This should improve pedestrian safety at this busy intersection. From NYCDOT:

Please be advised that yesterday, January 28th, NYCDOT changed the
signal timing at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Court Street.
The new signal phasing replaces the former "lagging" westbound left turn
phase (which followed the east-west phase on Atlantic Avenue), with a
"leading" westbound left turn phase, (which precedes the east-west phase
on Atlantic Avenue) . During this leading phase, westbound through
movements have a green light as well. A leading pedestrian interval
(LPI) across Atlantic Avenue is also provided to minimize conflicts
between crossing pedestrian and vehicles turning from Court Street to
Atlantic Avenue.

We believe these changes will make the intersection more legible to
pedestrians and promote their safety. We would be interested to hear
any feedback you receive on these changes.

Cobble Hill Bike Ride TODAY!

2009-11-06T19:52:00.000-08:00

I'm really late to the party on this one, but it's been tough to post from work and my evenings have been pretty jammed. In any case, I can't ride this year (10 year old niece to entertain this weekend!) but last year's ride was a blast.

Details from the indefatigable Dave "Paco" Abraham:

COBBLE HILL BIKE RIDE

When: November 8th, 2009, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Verandah Place at Cobble Hill Park
Cost: FREE, simply rsvp to cobblehillbikeride@gmail.com.
Space is limited to 50 riders maximum. Preference will be given to those who register ahead of time, as well as Cobble Hill Association members.

The Cobble Hill Association and Brooklyn Greenway Initiative are hosting a 10-mile casual bike ride that will start at Cobble Hill Park and pass through Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, the Columbia Waterfront District, Red Hook, and Carroll Gardens then loop back to Cobble Hill.

There will be several scenic rest stops as we ride along mostly calm streets with some light vehicular traffic. Several Bike Marshals will travel alongside as well as a mechanic for any urgent bike repairs needed. It may be chilly so please dress accordingly, and know that riders should bring helmets and observe all the proper rules of the road.

Jon Stewart Does Glenn Beck - Hilarity Ensues

2009-11-06T19:49:00.000-08:00

Mother of god, this deserves an Emmy. H/T Atrios and a billion other internets.

Tonight: CGNA Meeting featuring District 39 City Council Candidate Forum

2009-10-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

CGNA October General Meeting TONIGHT!

Monday, Oct. 19, 2009

7:00 PM- 9:00PM

Hannah Senesh Community Day School

Gym, first floor

342 Smith St.

Agenda:

Report from 76th precinct

Updates from our local elected officials

CGNA Committee Notes

Guest Speakers:

City Council Candidates Brad Lander (D), Joe Nardiello (R), Dave Pechefsky (G)

Please join us. Everyone is welcome!

Saturday: Cobble Hill Book Swap

2009-10-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

The Cobble Hill Association is sponsoring a free Book Swap on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at the Long Island College Hospital (LICH) Sitting Park located at Henry and Pacific Streets in Cobble Hill, from 11 AM until 3 PM.

The idea for the Book Swap is simple: bring a book and get a book. LICH staff members will also be on hand to meet the community and will conduct free blood pressure screening and an asthma information table at the park. Books will also be available for sale at $1 or less. All proceeds and remainder books will be donated to the Hospital by the Cobble Hill Association.

This low-key, neighborly event is the perfect time to meet neighbors and support our local hospital, too. In case of rain, the Book Swap will be held at the same time and place the following Saturday, October 24th.

To check on rain status that day contact:
To volunteer, please contact Margaret Ablon or Judi Francis at 718.855.3982

Fun!

Back to Blogging

2009-10-15T07:04:00.000-07:00

Now that the campaign is over and I've had a few weeks to ease back into a regular life again, I'll be updating the blog more frequently again. So much going on in our little corner of Brooklyn - plus the citywide elections coming up. It's good to be back.

First Campaign Mailer

2009-09-02T06:56:00.001-07:00

Sent to targeted Democratic voters last week:

Gary Reilly Has What it Takes to Get Things Done for Our Community -

Friday Night Lights - American Can Factory

2009-08-27T21:27:00.000-07:00

Events have conspired to keep me from Rooftop Films' wonderful events this season - but no longer. Tonight I am looking forward to taking in some audio-visual entertainment on 3rd Avenue:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28TH, 8pm
ST. NICK
David Lowery’s debut feature is a pre-teen Badlands, a lush and visceral young American drifter tragedy. Astonishing imagery, evocative soundscapes, heartbreakingly smart and subtle performances, and a story that reveals layer after layer of complexity form a masterpiece of introspection and exploration.

Venue: On the roof of the Old American Can Factory Address: 232 3rd St. @ 3rd Ave. (Gowanus/ Park Slope, Brooklyn) Directions: F/G to Carroll St. or M/R to Union Ave.
Rain: In the event of rain the show will be held indoors at the same location
8:00PM: Doors open
8:30PM: Live music by Cameron Hull presented by Sound Fix Records
9:00PM: Film
11:00PM–12:30AM: Reception in courtyard including free sangria courtesy of Carlo Rossi sangria
Tickets: $9-$25 at the door or online

Presented in partnership with: Cinereach, New York magazine, & XØ Projects

We're #1!

2009-08-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

Carroll Park is #1. Congrats to Glenn and Katia and the rest of the Committee to Improve Carroll Park!

Mayor Endorses Gary Reilly's Proposal for F Express / V To Brooklyn

2009-08-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Mayor Bloomberg announced a number of proposals for improving transit service (which I'll get into in more detail later).

The headline for the city-wide media is the proposal for free cross-town bus service in Manhattan (a good idea). But the big news for Brooklynites is the Mayor's belated support for enhanced F/V service on the Culver Line in Brooklyn, which I and other transit advocates have been calling for for years. From the Brooklyn Paper,

“Closer to Downtown, you’re talking about a couple of minutes. As you get farther out towards Coney Island you’re talking about potentially saving 20 minutes — that’s huge. But it’s also about the possible alleviation of crowding everywhere,” said Gary Reilly, a Democratic candidate for City Council in Carroll Gardens, who has advocated for years on behalf of the F line. “We need this and we deserve it. It’s a low–hanging piece of fruit.”

Back in 2007, over 4,300 people signed on to my petition to restore F Express service and extend the V line out to Brooklyn. Ben from Second Avenue Sagas, Jen from KensingtonBrooklyn and I have kept the pressure on the MTA and elected officials over the years to ensure that Brooklyn gets these despeerately needed transit improvements when the Culver Viaduct reconstruction is complete - and we led the fight to ensure that the Viaduct reconstruction would include the necessary track and signal work to accommodate express service.

In the summer of 2007, I held a press conference at the Church Avenue F station with Councilmen Bill deBlasio, Simcha Felder and Domenic Recchia, along with Paul Steely White from Transportation Alternatives and Gene Russianoff from the Straphanger's Campaign to demand enhanced F/V service fro Brooklyn.

In these difficult times we need to make the most of our transit infrastructure. The restoration of express/local service on the F/V to Brooklyn is a relatively cheap and efficient way to not only improve the quality of life for tens of thousands of Brooklynites, but also to aid in the revitalization of Coney Island and South Brooklyn.

Brooklyn deserves enhanced F/V service. And our time is coming.

All posts on the F/V Petition

The battle for better transit service is what inspired me to run for City Council - if you care about improving the state of our transit system, visit my campaign website at www.garyreilly.org. Our team is growing every day, and you too can help to make our city a better place to live.

Ravitch Named Lt. Governor

2009-07-08T18:28:00.000-07:00

What in the name of all that's holy . . . finally some good news out of Albany!!

Governor Paterson has named Richard Ravitch, of late renown as the head of the Ravitch Commission (whose suggestions were largely stymied by the Fare Hike Four, resulting in last month's fare hike and continuing the MTA crisis at a lower boil)

If Paterson can break the logjam in the Senate with this appointment (and a terrific choice, by the way) he deserves some praise. Gatemouth likes this appointment as much as I do . . . while paying a - I'm not sure backhanded compliment is the right term, but I'm not coming up with a better descriptor - to Governor Paterson for the effort.

Now if Ravitch can get a second bite at the apple with the MTA funding situation (bridge tolls et al) we might have some hope yet.

Carroll Gardens Downzoning: CB6 Thursday

2009-06-23T08:46:00.000-07:00

From Tom Gray of Councilman Bill deBlasio's office, a reminder to turn out in support of the long-awaited Carroll Gardens downzoning at the CB6 Land Use Committee meeting on Thursday night. The rezoning will protect the community from out of scale new development and preserve the character of Carroll Gardens and the Columbia Waterfront District.

Jun 25 Landmarks/Land Use Committee Meeting
PUBLIC HEARING on Carroll Gardens/Columbia Street Contextual Rezoning plan (ULURP No. C 090462 ZMK)
Discussion and formulation of a recommendation on an application submitted by the Department of City Planning (ULURP No. C 090462 ZMK) to contextually rezone Carroll Gardens and a significant portion of the Columbia Street District neighborhoods to protect the existing built form environments.

Long Island College Hospital
339 Hicks Street
Brooklyn NY 11201

6:00 PM

Rooftop Films In Gowanus This Weekend

2009-06-22T11:07:00.000-07:00

Sounds like fun - I love the rooftop theme to this series:

June 27th
Voices from El-Sayed:

In this smart and charming documentary, the world’s largest community of
deaf people is suddenly given a gift that threatens to disrupt local
heritage.

Venue: On the roof of the Old American Can Factory
Address: 232 3RD St. @ 3rd Ave. (Gowanus/ Park Slope, Brooklyn)
Directions: F/G to Carroll St. or M/R to Union Ave.
Rain: In the event of rain the show will be held indoors at the same location
8:00PM: Doors open
8:30PM: Live music presented by Sound Fix Records
9:00PM: Films
11:00PM–12:30AM: Reception in courtyard including free sangria courtesy of
Carlo Rossi
Tickets: $9-$25 at the door or online

Presented in partnership with: Cinereach, The Israeli Cultural Consulate,
New York magazine & XØ Projects
BUY TICKETS: http://newyork.going.com/event-602772;Rooftop_Films_Voices_from_El-Sayed

No refunds. In the event of rain, the show will be indoors at the same
locations. Seating is first come, first served. Physical seats are
limited. This means you may not get a chair. You are welcome to bring a
blanket and picnic.

Overflow Magazine - Primary Education

2009-06-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

Overflow Magazine interviewed the 5 candidates for City Council District 39 including yours truly. It's a fun read and includes pictures of all the candidates in our native habitats.

Flash, so I can't cut and paste . . . but copies are available for free at participating local establishments. Lots of other good stuff in there too.

Bloomberg Campaign Ties To Jailhouse Bar Mitzvah Rabbi?

2009-06-18T10:17:00.000-07:00

New York politics can be fascinating stuff.

The rabbi[Leib Glanz] at the center of an investigation into a bar mitzvah that was held at a New York City jail last year had three scheduled meetings in the last four months of 2008 with Deputy Mayor Kevin Sheekey, the man in charge of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s political operation, records show.

The sordid details of the jail as Orthodox party hall made for some great tabloid fodder.

But to truly appreciate the story you must read this Gatemouth piece on Rabbi Glanz over at Room 8.

Rutgers Law Professor and Preservationist John Payne, RIP

2009-06-17T12:53:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of working as a research assistant for Professor Payne while I was in law school at Rutgers. Nominally he was my torts professor (and later my Land Use prof) but he was also the premiere scholar on the Mount Laurel affordable housing cases. I spent months poring over court records and exhibits spanning four decades to provide background for a book on these groundbreaking affordable housing decisions.

John M. Payne, Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor at Rutgers School of Law – Newark and key participant in the Mt. Laurel cases, died Wednesday of brain cancer at Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne, NY. He was 67 years old. Services are private. A memorial service will be held at the law school in the fall.
. . . .
Payne was also a driving force for historic preservation in New Jersey and critical to protecting the work and legacy of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He was a former president of the national Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy and former director of Preservation New Jersey, the New Jersey partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

As an academic, Payne wrote and lectured extensively. In addition to his Mt. Laurel writing and articles on housing and historic preservation issues, he co-edited one of the most highly respected and widely-used casebooks on land development and land law use (Planning and Control of Land Development, 7th ed., 2008, with Daniel Mandelker et al.).

Prof. Payne cared deeply about the struggle to provide quality affordable housing fairly, as well as about historic preservation. I feel fortunate to have had the chance to know and learn from him. He will be missed.

Squadron Seeks MTA Review of F Line: What About F/V Service?

2009-06-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

The Brooklyn Paper ran a story yesterday on Senator Squadron's request that MTA review service on the Culver Line (aka the F train in Brooklyn).

Ben over at Second Avenue Sagas lays out some alternatives for improving service along the line, including the enhanced F/V service that we have been advocating for years now.

Right now, the Culver Line isn’t close to being at capacity. It could easily support the V train running out to Church at rush hour, and as one person commenting on Gersh’s article notes, the MTA could probably even run the V along the A/C through Lower Manhattan to pick up Wall St. commuters bypassed by the F. In one felt swoop, the MTA would make travel easier while alleviating congestion on the Culver line through Brooklyn.
The second solution — an observation — is a call for those people impacted by this service to just wait. On July 5, the MTA will extend G train service south to Church Ave. While not ideal, those who cannot get on the F train due to congestion can ride the G to Hoyt-Schermerhorn and transfer to the A or C. It’s not nearly as convenient as extending the V, but it may serve the same function.

There is a lively discussion in the SAS comments, check it out.

Whither the State Senate?

2009-06-11T10:47:00.000-07:00

Things just get curiouser and curiouser.

“We have access, we have keys, and we’re going to open the door to do our business,” Mr. Espada said early Wednesday.

But that never happened. Mr. Monserrate’s talks with lawmakers on both sides of the leadership fight held up a planned 3 p.m. session, and he ultimately asked Mr. Espada and Republicans to delay the reopening of the Senate for a day while he continued to talk to Democrats; he said he wanted “to continue the discussions” with other Democrats “that I believe will build our coalition.”
. . . .
Mr. Espada’s former Democratic colleagues spent much of the day mulling over their leadership. Democrats met privately Wednesday morning for about 40 minutes in their conference room on the third floor of the Capitol. When they emerged, few were willing to express any confidence that Mr. Smith would be able to hang onto his job.

Senator Jeffrey D. Klein of the Bronx, the Democrats’ deputy leader and a sometime rival of Mr. Smith’s, said, “I can’t speculate on that,” adding, “We live day to day.”

Pedro Espada is done for politically.

So is Malcolm Smith.

This little coup may yet turn out to be the best thing that ever happened in the NY Senate.

Defector Espada Failed To get $2MM In Earmarks For Related Entities

2009-06-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

Via the NYT CityRoom blog.

State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. requested more than $2 million dollars in Senate earmarks this year for two groups with links to the health care organization that he founded and which appeared to have been created in part to receive such grants, according to several Democratic officials and aides with knowledge of the requests.
. . . .
When Senate officials expressed reservations about the grants to Mr. Espada’s staff, aides to the senator asked to resubmit the grants with a new address for both organizations: 742 East Tremont Avenue in the Bronx. Several weeks later, as Senate officials continued to balk, Mr. Espada finally asked that all the money be earmarked for the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, an existing and well-established organization.

The GOP can have these two sleazy pols. It is clearly where they belong.

UPDATE: Speaking of where they belong, I almost forgot that Pedro Espada doesn't even live in his district in the Bronx . . . he lives in Westchester! Espada is a fraud and a crook.

Ground Broken for New NJ-NY Rail Tunnel

2009-06-09T13:51:00.001-07:00

Apparently, this is the biggest transit infrastructure project in the country. And long overdue.

Two Members Of "Fare Hike Four" Reveal True Colors

2009-06-09T10:18:00.000-07:00

Indicted domestic abuse suspect Hiram Monserrate (Queens) and campaign finance train wreck Pedro Espada (Bronx), two grasping, power-hungry nominal Democrats just went full-dirtbag and joined the Senate Republicans in an attempted coup.

It remains to be see how this mess will sort out, but one thing is certain: progressive Democrats need to unite to ensure these two treacherous, self-serving walking scandals never see another term in elected office.

No Wonder Brooklyn Museum Needs Money

2009-06-05T09:49:00.000-07:00

In 2005 their former payroll manager stole $620K, according to the Post.

The first thing I thought of was this article from the Brooklyn Paper on the financial troubles at the museum. City budget cutbacks have certainly impacted the museum - but better oversight of their finances would help.

I thought that was the end of the story for now. But this bit from the Daily Intel is priceless:

He faced 20 years in prison. Donna was probably pretty pissed about that. But she scraped together the $600,000 bond to make sure he could come home to his kids. Then, yesterday, after his first hearing, they exited the courtroom together. As they walked into the courthouse lobby, Dwight broke into a sprint, running down the building’s steps and careening down the sidewalk, away. Donna probably wondered why she had so easily abandoned her detective skills.

The Daily News has an action shot of the great escape.

Free Brooklyn to Governors Island Ferry

2009-06-04T10:17:00.000-07:00

Eh, guv'nah?

Senator Squadron's office writes that after giving Brooklyn the cold shoulder last summer, GIPEC will finally provide free ferry service from Brooklyn to Governor's Island . . . starting this Saturday! Full release below:

I am writing to share some exciting news- this summer there will finally be free ferry service between Brooklyn and Governor's Island!

This ferry is something that Senator Squadron has long requested to better connect the Brooklyn Waterfront with the rest of New York Harbor, and we hope that you will be able to celebrate with him at the ferry's innaugural launch this Saturday, June 6 at 11:00 am, at Fulton Ferry Landing.

The ferry will leave Fulton Ferry Landing every hour, every Saturday when there is programming scheduled for Governor's Island. [UPDATE - The ferry will not continue to Battery Park as originally stated]. Please visit www.govisland.com for a full schedule...

...and please join Senator Squadron and other community members to celebrate the first launch this Saturday at 11:00!

Hope to see you then.

Great news. Thank you, Senator and staff.

Massive Mortgage Fraud In Queens: NYC Media Ignore It

2009-06-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

Back in 2007, I wrote three posts on an unbelievably sleazy criminal, one Thomas Kontogiannis.

I contacted the news rooms at several local papers, including the Times, the Daily News, the Post, and a paper or two in Queens. Nothing but crickets in response. This is no boring story: Tommy K is now in prison for bribing California GOP Congressman Duke Cunningham. This was HUGE news on the West Coast - but not a single column inch of coverage here in NYC. Why?

Via Talking Points Memo, Reuters has a story up on Kontogiannis's $92 million dollar mortgage fraud. Maybe this contributed to Queens foreclosure rates dwarfing those of every other borough.

Real estate developer Thomas Kontogiannis, 60, and eight other defendants are accused of orchestrating fraudulent loans that were subsequently sold to the financial firms.

Federal prosecutors and the FBI said the scheme was centered around property developments that Kontogiannis bought and subdivided from 2001 to 2003 in the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens.

To finance the projects, the defendants are accused of staging sales of the properties financed by mortgage loans. Bogus appraisals supported the price of the properties, even where buildings had not yet been constructed or had fictional addresses, said the U.S. Attorney's Office in Brooklyn, which is prosecuting the case.

The Daily News failed to cover any aspect of this story, except for this mention in an article about tax delinquents:

Federal prosecutors who indicted Long Island financier Thomas Kontogiannis for laundering bribes to California Rep. Randy (Duke) Cunningham tied him to at least 22 companies including Westshore 480 Development, which, the city says, owes $751,708 in taxes on a waterfront property in Brooklyn.
A lawyer for Kontogiannis denied his client owned Westshore 480 or owed money for its property taxes. "He has no ownership and no liability," lawyer Robert Wolf said. "It would not be accurate to report that he does."

Apparently this guy was also involved in some shady business with spy agencies. All the more reason local papers should take an interest in an investigative story - but so far, no takers. What gives?

Andrew Ross Sorkin: Out Of Touch

2009-06-03T13:15:00.000-07:00

After reading about NYT's columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin's anti-union comments on MSNBC's Morning Joe, I wonder if this guy ever worked a single day in any sort of blue collar job. I'm betting "no".

This is not Sorkin's first bout of anti-labor ignorance. Last fall he gave wide dissemination to the (false) stories of $70/hour auto workers.

It is amazing to me the extent to which the right has managed to demagogue labor in this country over the last 30 years. And the extent to which our establishment media, which spreads these myths, is still somehow regarded as liberal.

By the way, the New York Times lost approximately $58 million last year and $74 million in Q1 2009 . . . Surely the fault lies with the Times's union employees, at least in the eyes of people like Sorkin.

Cold Ironing: Reduce Port Emissions In NY Harbor

2009-06-03T09:59:00.000-07:00

The Brooklyn Paper has an article on a setback in a Red Hook blogger's quest to reduce port emissions through "cold ironing". Cold ironing means that a ship turns off its diesel engines at port, instead plugging in to the electrical grid to reduce emissions. From the brooklyn paper article:

The missing piece, the Port Authority and city claimed, was discounted electricity from Con Edison, because the standard rate for the juice is too high to justify turning off the diesel engines in favor of plugging in.

But the state Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, nixed the so-called “shore power” idea on jurisdictional grounds in April, telling the Port Authority and the city to negotiate instead with the New York Power Authority, the port agency’s main supplier of electricity.

If I read the article correctly, there is still hope. It's a matter of working with the Power Authority to make this happen. It looks like the City and Port Authority were barking up the wrong tree - but this isn't over yet. Reducing the emissions from these ships should be a top priority.

Red Hook School Closings - Flu?

2009-06-02T15:29:00.001-07:00

From Craig Hammerman at CB6:

Please be advised that the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene just relayed this announcement regarding 2 local school closures in Red Hook effective tomorrow...

June 2, 2009 - Health Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden and Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein today announced that the City Health Department has recommended closing two more schools - P.S. 15, which is co-located with the PAVE Academy Charter School in Red Hook, Brooklyn - after documenting an unusually high amount of influenza-like illness over a number of days. The schools will be closed as of Wednesday, June 3. The schools will reopen on Monday, June 8.

The details for the schools are:

P.S. 15 (The Patrick F. Daly School, 377 students) in Red Hook Brooklyn, which is co-located with the PAVE Academy Charter School (86 students). A total of 20 students were documented with influenza-like illness on Monday and Tuesday.

Click here for more information (pdf warning!)

Carroll Gardens Downzoning Process Under Way

2009-06-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

City Planning gave us a wonderful preview presentation; now they issued a press release announcing the start of the public review period for the downzoning of Carroll gardens and Columbia Waterfront. Brownstoner has the entire press release posted. A snippet:

Initiated in response to community requests and developed in close consultation with Community Board 6, local community groups and Council Member de Blasio, the rezoning was crafted block by block to:

 Preserve the row house character of over 80% of the study area by introducing a contextual zoning district (R6B) with height limits of 50 feet. R6B would be mapped on predominately residential east-west side streets as well as the north-south streets of Smith, Hoyt, Bond and Hicks Streets and portions of Henry, Clinton and Columbia Streets.
 Match new zoning to preserve the established built character by mapping contextual zoning designations (R6A and R7A; height limits of 70 feet and 80 feet, respectively). Along the mixed-use corridors of Court and Columbia Streets as well as other more densely built blocks, R6A zoning would more accurately match the existing built context. On Tiffany Place between Kane and Degraw Streets where existing 7-story manufacturing buildings have been converted to residential use, the proposed R7A would better match the built character.
 Promote vibrant, mixed-use corridors on certain local commercial thoroughfares. C2-4 overlays
would be mapped to promote an expanded group of ground-floor commercial uses at specific locations along Smith, Henry and Hicks Street where commercial uses already exist, but where no commercial zoning is present to permit new or expanding businesses.
 Reduce the depths of commercial districts to reflect existing development patterns and preclude commercial intrusions into residential side streets. In certain locations where no commercial uses currently exist and where such uses would be inappropriate with existing land use patterns, commercial overlays would be removed.

All in all, a great proposal. And it wouldn't have been possible without the tireless work of CGNA and others, especially John Hatheway and Glenn Kelly.

Brooklyn Greenway Benefit June 18th

2009-06-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

The Brooklyn Greenway is having their annual gala event on June 18th, and Mia and I are looking forward to it. lats year was a lot of fun, and this year it will be even better with great views from Erie Basin Park. Tickets are $60, which benefits a terrific cause, and includes beer and wine as well as a "Swedish Smorgasbord".

Rallying Cry For Transit Advocates

2009-06-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

What Ben said.

When the MTA had to turn, cap in hand, to Albany this year, politicians trotted out the old tired tropes in an effort to portray the MTA as a less than scrupulous organization. Some claimed the MTA keeps two sets of books, a charge found to be untrue in a court of law. Others called the agency heads “untrustworthy and corrupt,” as Sander puts it an Op-Ed in The Times today. In the end, the MTA, a transit agency entrusted with making the trains on time, were no match for a bunch of politicians whose specialties all seem to be making themselves look good even when approving poorly-constructed funding fixes.

The politicians are the problem - not the MTA. The MTA has been used as a scapegoat for politicians in Albany, aided and abetted by years of journalistic malpractice. We need to elect people to office that understand the importance of transit, and that the root of our current problems lies not at the MTA, but in Albany. That's one reason I am running for office myself.

Fare Hikes & Service Cuts

2009-05-20T08:36:00.000-07:00

Lest anyone think the MTA funding crisis is over, it is not. Many of our elected officials are patting each other on the back for averting a full scale meltdown, but the can has just been kicked down the road. And while the fare hike is not as dramatic as feared, fares are going up more than 10% next month, with projected increases every year.

We're keeping our buses - for now. But we still do not have a funded 5 year capital plan. And now we learn that many station agents, who provide a human presence in the system, will be cut. Comptroller Thompson's office has a handy tool you can use to see how your local station will be affected.

As an example, the Carroll Street station is set to lose 1 part time station agent from the cuts. No station agent means no one to release the gate when you need to get a package or stroller through. No one to answer questions about service outages or directions. No one with a line to call for aid or report suspicious/criminal activity. I'm a believer in adding cameras to the subways for security, and in adding computer based train controls to improve efficiency. But station agents provide a valuable human element to the system that is hard to quantify, but improves the safety, accessibility and convenience of the subway system. These cuts are penny wise and pound foolish, but they are being forced by the same Assembly and Senate members who failed to pass a real transit funding bill this year.

It has become fashionable to blame the MTA for all manner of shortcomings - but the fault lies in Albany. Only your elected officials can fix the problems our system faces. Demand it!

Cuts on the F line:

Proposed Changes to Service on the F
Station Changes on the F
STATION CHANGE
2nd Ave / Lower East Side One full-time agent eliminated
W 4th St (B,D,F,V) One full-time agent eliminated
23rd St (F,V) One full-time station booth eliminated
East Broadway (F) One part-time agent eliminated
169th St (F) One part-time agent eliminated
Carroll St (F,G) One part-time agent eliminated
Jay St / Borough Hall (A,C,F) One part-time agent eliminated
Bergen St (F,G) One part-time agent eliminated
Essex St / Delancey St (F,J,M,Z) One part-time agent eliminated
179th St / Jamaica (F) One part-time agent eliminated
Coney Island / Stillwell Ave (D,F,N,Q) One part-time agent eliminated
34th St / Herald Sq (B,D,F,N,Q,R,V,W) Three part-time agents eliminated
47th-50th Sts / Rockefeller Center (B,D,F,V) Two part-time agents eliminated
Jackson Hts-Roosevelt Ave (E,F,G,R,V) Two part-time agents eliminated
42nd St / Bryant Park (B,D,F,V) Two part-time agents eliminated

City Council Candidate Debate Tonight

2009-05-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

IND and CBID are co-hosting a panel of candidates for the 39th Council District tonight at Church of Gethsemane in Park Slope.

This blogger, also known as Gary Reilly, will be among the candidates. Come check it out!

May 19, 2009 - 7 pm
Church of Gethsemane
1012 8th Ave (at 10th St)
Park Slope

F Train to 7th Ave. Front of Coney Island bound train exits to 8th Avenue, rear of Manhattan bound train exits to 8th Ave.