Archives

News

BBP Pool To Open Soon; Benepe Leaving Parks Department

June 19, 2012

The “temporary” swimming pool (we understand it will be around for five years) located just inland of Pier 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park (see photo, taken from Promenade) is, according to Brownstoner, likely to open even sooner than a projected June 28 date. Stay tuned.

In other parks related news, the Wall Street Journal reports that City Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, seen here riding the lead horse on the first official spin of Jane’s Carousel, and here with Brooklyn Heights Association President Jane McGroarty at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s “Sunset Bhangra” party, is resigning to become head of the San Francisco based Trust for Public Land. Mr. Benepe served as Commissioner for ten years. Mayor Bloomberg has announced that Veronica M. White, now head of the City’s Center for Economic Opportunity, will be his successor.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42628

From the Web

Public Meeting On BBP Field House: Monday June 25

June 19, 2012

There will be a public meeting at which you may state your views or concerns about the proposed multi-use recreation facility to be sited on the uplands near Pier 5 in Brooklyn Bridge Park (location shown in photo), supported by a $40 million gift from philanthropist Joshua Rechnitz.

This proposal has aroused some controversy, especially concerning possible increases in vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The meeting will be from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. on Monday, June 25 at the Callahan Center, St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street (between Clinton and Court streets).


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42620

From the Web

Primary Election Tuesday, June 26

June 14, 2012

If you’re a registered Democrat (we understand there are a few around here; Brooklyn Heights has not yet had an Alferd Packer; note: though the linked piece spells his name “Alfred” it really was “Alferd”); there’s an important primary election to determine who may represent you in Congress coming up on June 26. The Brooklyn Heights Association gives us these details:

THIS MATTERS. Turn-out will be low because nobody thinks about voting in June! In the U.S.Congressional District which includes Brooklyn Heights, new boundaries and shifting populations have created a contest. Hoping to unseat our incumbent Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez are three challengers: Erik Martin Dilan, George Martinez and Dan O’Connor. Continue Reading…


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42343

From the Web

Subway Service Alerts: Weekend and Following Week

June 14, 2012

It’s another green light weekend, as there are no, repeat no, planned disruptions affecting service at any of the local subway stations. For those planning weekend trips that involve trains not serving local stations, or service in far-flung portions of those lines that do converge here, the MTA has created an interactive subway map, The Weekender, that can help you.

The following week, the only planned change affecting service here is that from 12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Tuesday to Friday, there will be no 3 trains running in either direction. However, 2 trains will be running on the same route, serving both Clark Street and Borough Hall stations.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42413

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Police Blotter

BHA Alert: Roofing Repair Scam

June 14, 2012

Several Heights residents who fell victim to a roofing repair scam contacted the Brooklyn Heights Association office to ask that BHB share their info so that others can avoid being similarly duped. BHA Executive Director Judy Stanton says the rogue plays the game like this: “A personable-looking man, dressed like a workman, rings the doorbell during the day and introduces himself as a contractor working on roofs nearby, where he noticed that your roof has problems that need fixing and he offers to make the needed repairs.”

He suggests going go up to your roof, where he will point out the ‘defects.’ He then negotiates a price to be paid as soon as the work is done. He’ll propose to do the work that day because he has the roofing materials close at hand. He may or may not say he needs to call a helper, depending on how receptive you appear to be. (Helpers add to the price.)

Everyone knows that there are scaffolds all over Brooklyn Heights, work goes on all the time on nearly every block, and several people I know have fallen for this scam, having paid money only to find out that no repairs were done, or they weren’t done properly. In one instance, valuables in the house were missing (cash, credit cards left out where they were visible on the way to and from the roof).

Note: The scammer is presentable, he counts on the fact that owners haven’t been to their roof lately and will take him at his word, or they may have experienced roof leaks during recent rains and welcome the plausible—and convenient—offer to repair it. Do we need to say more?

Please never let anyone you do not know into your house. Never, ever hire anyone to do work in your home without verifying their references and qualifications.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42338

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Landmark Preservation

CB2 to Hold Hearing on Bossert Plans Wednesday, June 20

June 11, 2012

Community Board 2′s Land Use Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, June 20 to “consider a variance application to be filed at the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) to reconvert the Bossert Hotel back to its original, transient hotel use.” The hearing, along with another to “review proposed changes to the text of the New York City Zoning Resolution, to modify the parking requirements in portions of the Special Downtown Brooklyn District”, will take place immediately before at the beginning of the Committee’s regular meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. in Room LC400 of NYU Poly’s Dibner Building located off of the MetroTech Commons at 5 MetroTech Center (follow link for map).

While the buyer of the Bossert, David Bistricer, has said that he doesn’t plan to alter the building’s facade, he has been coy about his plans for the interior, saying that they “have not been finalized” other than that electrical and plumbing will be improved. This leaves open what will become of the Bossert’s magnificent lobby (see photo). Of particular concern is his choice of architect: Eugene Kaufman, whose plans for the historic Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan have incited controversy.

Photo by Josh.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42183

From the Web

Arts and Entertainment, Events, Food, Music

Brooklyn Bridge Park’s ‘Sunset Bhangra’

June 10, 2012

On Thursday evening your correspondent donned rain-ready togs before heading down to Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park for the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s Sunset Bhangra party, but the weather proved benign, as the rain that threatened stayed just to our north. People kept coming in droves; fortunately, food and drink were plentiful, and good. Video, more text and photos after the jump.

Looking down from the entry at 6:15 p.m., I could see a good sized crowd beginning to assemble.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation President Regina Myer.

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe and Brooklyn Heights Association President Jane McGroarty.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Executive director Nancy Webster.

In the video above, party guests cut loose learning to dance the bhangra way. It was a Bollywood climax to a delightful party.

Love the Park? Consider becoming a charter member of the Conservancy. Details are here.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42026

From the Web

News, Police Blotter

Deceased Man’s Body Pulled From East River Below Brooklyn Heights

June 9, 2012

Local residents spotted a body floating in the East River below Brooklyn Heights Saturday morning. According to DNAInfo.com, rescuers responded to residents’ calls at 8:55 a.m. Saturday, and harbor crews from the NYPD recovered a body along the shoreline at Furman Street in the vicinity of Cranberry Street.

EMS responders at the scene attempted to resuscitate the man, who police said was in his 30s, but pronounced him dead at the scene. Police say it is unclear what led to the man’s death. They are conducting an investigation.

(Photo: DNAInfo.com)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42022

From the Web

History

Karl Watches Shuttle Enterprise From The Promenade, Then Goes (Where Else?) To The Park

June 7, 2012

Mr. J., with cam on the Promenade, catches the Enterprise riding a barge on its trip into the Hudson and to its new permanent home at the Intrepid Air, Sea and Space Museum on Manhattan’s West Side. Heading up the Promenade, he takes a gander at the new swimming pool under construction near Pier 2. Knowing Karl’s love of Brooklyn Bridge Park, we’re not surprised that he then went down to Pier 1 for a break at the Wine Bar. See video after the jump.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41800

From the Web

Events, Food

Promenade Gardeners’ Bake Sale Saturday

June 7, 2012

It’s getting to be a Brooklyn Heights tradition, undoubtedly because our Promenade Gardeners are such good bakers. They’ll be having another of their bake sales on the Promenade near the Montague Street entrance this Saturday, June 9, from 9:30 a.m. “until the last crumb is sold.” All proceeds go to buying seeds and other supplies needed to keep the gardens blooming.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41795

From the Web