Browsing Tag

brooklyn bridge park

Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn

NYC Bike Share Program Delayed To Summer’s End Because Of ‘Software Glitch’

July 20, 2012

For those anticipating New York City’s Bike Share Program, which included locations in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Bridge Park and nearby Downtown Brooklyn, you might as well hang up your helmets.

The 600 city bike share stations, which were scheduled to be in place by the end of July, have been stalled until late summer, according to NYC Mayor Bloomberg, because of a computer software glitch. In typical flippant fashion, Bloomie told the New York Times City Room blog, “It’s fascinating. The people who did not want bicycle lanes at all are now screaming, ‘Well, where are they? Where are they? I want them quickly.’”

It’s unclear when the software issues will be resolved; the program’s website assures a start date sometime before the end of the summer. The bike share kiosks’ glitch appears to have to do with touchscreen monitors that allow riders to pay with credit or debit cards.

The program is sponsored by the city Department of Transportation with Alta Bicycle Share. DOT released a draft map of the first locations last month. The solar-powered, wireless docking stations will be located on sidewalks, curbside road space and plazas, and accommodate between 15 and 60 bikes each.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44528

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

As BBP Struggles For Funding, Self-Sustaining High Line Park Gets $5M Gift From City

July 20, 2012

While Brooklyn Bridge Park continues to scrounge together funding to continue buildout of the slow-as-molasses 85-acre waterfront project, Manhattan’s High Line Park has received a $5 million windfall from the city. This, despite the fact that the West Side tourist destination has raked in $85 million in private sector donations, in addition to a lucrative concessions deal and millions of dollars from adjoining building air rights.

DNAInfo.com reports that city park advocates are questioning why High Line was bestowed such a generous gift, which the city targeted to help build the third portion of the park, at a total cost of $90 million. Critics, for one, point to Brooklyn Bridge Park, which the city’s 2013 capital expenditures budget has slated for just $5.5 million, to develop the Pier 4 Beach and Habitat Island and a pedestrian entrance on its north side.

“Unlike the High Line—which pulls in massive cash from fundraising and private donations—Brooklyn Bridge Park relies almost entirely on the city for capital costs,” DNAInfo says. “Its fundraising organization, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, puts most of its funds toward programming at the park.” The story points to only two BBP capital projects donations: Jane’s Carousel and the controversial $40 million from New York City Fieldhouse Chairman Joshua Rechnitz to build a rec facility near Pier 5.

BBP’s 85 acres compares to the High Line’s 6.73. New York’s total 2013 appropriation is $105 million for 142 park projects. A spokeswoman for the City Council declined to respond to DNAInfo’s requests for comment.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44468

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

This Should Be Fun To Watch: Belly Dancing At BBP Friday

July 20, 2012

Friday, July 20, Brooklyn Bridge Park will feature “Waterfront Workouts: Belly Dance with Dodge YMCA,” from 7-8 p.m. “Dance to Middle Eastern rhythms while learning traditional movements and combinations.” The class focuses on core muscles, emphasizing muscular isolations.

Because of rain, the Belly Dancing festivities will be held in the white tent at the entrance to Pier 1. No class next Friday, July 27.

Dodge YMCA is a community service organization that promotes positive values through programs that build spirit, mind and body, welcoming all people with a focus on youth.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44464

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

NY1 Offers Brooklyn Bridge Park Update; Prez Regina Myer Defends Hotel/Rez Development

July 16, 2012

NY1 offers an upbeat 2-minute report on the progress of the 85-acre Brooklyn Bridge Park, which it says now attracts 60,000 visitors each weekend. Reporter Jeanine Ramirez offers: “Designs changed over the years. So did the oversight of the property. The Port Authority transferred it to a state entity called the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation. It was later transferred over to the city.”

Regina Myer, President of BBP, comments, “Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Paterson agreed that the city would take the project over because the state just didn’t have the money to put into the park and they realized the city would be a much better steward of the park site.”

Regarding the imminent controversial 200-room hotel and 159-unit residential building, Myer says they are necessary to raise funds to sustain the park: “The condominium [One Brooklyn Bridge] has been paying ground rent and payment in lieu of taxes since 2008 and all of the maintenance and security and upkeep is paid for by the funds we’ve received.” She insists the new multi-use development, which was approved in late June, “will be done with good taste.”


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44305

From the Web

News

Police Cart Burns Near Pier 1

July 14, 2012

Karl and his cam were on hand around noon today when a small NYPD vehicle caught fire on the path next to Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park, producing an impressive plume of smoke. He was able to get some good video until one of the gens d’armes (Hey! It’s Bastille Day) objected (update: to use a favorite Finkism, objected err somethin’). Video after the jump.

NYPD shoos Karl away from harm.

Publisher’s note: We would like to thank the NYPD officer who asked Karl to stop video taping the fire.  While commenters here seem to think the officer was attempting to stomp out coverage of a local news event,  we can only assume that the officer was only very concerned about Mr. J’s safety and we thank him.  Seriously folks, Karl wasn’t dancing or anything like that.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44269

From the Web

Brooklyn Bridge Park Raccoon Captured

July 12, 2012

Our friends at Gothamist got some scary looking photos taken last night by Bobby Finger of a ragged looking one-eyed raccoon seen climbing a chain link fence next to a walkway adjoining Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The critter in the photo above is another, much healthier looking Brooklyn raccoon, caught on pixels by our friend Flatbush Gardener. You may recall our publisher Homer Fink’s encounter with a raccoon two and a half years ago, right on Willow Street!

The raccoon wasn’t the first instance of mammalian wildlife (apart from the unfortunately ubiquitous Rattus norvegicus or the familiar grey squirrel) to be spotted in the Park. Our man Karl found a muskrat living in a pond next to Pier 1 in August, 2010, and named him (or her) “Dodger.” Dodger hasn’t been seen since.

Gothamist updated their post to report that Park officials confirmed that the raccoon has been captured.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44158

From the Web

Brooklyn Bridge Park: New Pool Hours

July 12, 2012

Karl and his cam have been regular visitors to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Pool, so he was on hand for the posting of new hours for pool use that go into effect today. To accommodate more swimmers, shifts have been shortened from one hour to 45 minutes, with 15 minutes allowed for changeover. The first shift begins at 10:00 a.m. and goes to 10:45; the second from 11:00 to 11:45, and so on through 5:00 to 5:45 p.m. This will increase daily capacity by 60%. Video after the jump.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44146

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO

DUMBO’s Brooklyn Bridge Park Entrance Vies To Become Pedestrian Plaza

July 12, 2012

While there’s hardly a similar open space in Brooklyn Heights, the DUMBO Improvement District is proposing an intriguing option: to close off traffic along Anchorage Place—which serves as the north entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park—and turn it into a pedestrian plaza. A hearing on the plan was held Wednesday eve to air both sides of the proposal.

McBrooklyn reports that at least eight local businesses back the plan, citing pedestrian safety and more room for seating next to the colorfully painted Pearl Street Triangle. But Doreen Gallo, Executive Director of the DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance, believes that closing the street will take away from the “grandeur” of the neighborhood. She told the Brooklyn Eagle, “People can’t imagine this space and how this should be the Grand North Entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park.”

Sadly, the Heights has no such “grand” entry point, after Mayor Bloomberg emphatically nixed a proposed BBP throughway from the most obvious entryway: along the southern tip of the Promenade. The best we’ve got is the coming Squibb Park Bridge that will connect the neighborhood from Columbia Heights across Furman Street to Pier One.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44110

From the Web

Mr. J. Takes the Plunge at the BBP Pool

July 7, 2012

Karl and cam were on hand for the opening of the “pop-up-pool” (expected to stay popped up for five years) near Pier 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Following the brief opening remarks by State Senator Daniel Squadron and City Council Member Steve Levin, swimmers eagerly jumped into the water to escape the rising temperature. Eventually, Mr. J. himself couldn’t resist the pool’s allure, and entrusted his cam to someone who caught him emerging from the water. Video after the jump.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/43761

From the Web

Events, Food

Season Opener For BBP ‘Movies With A View” Packs The Lawn For ‘E.T.’

July 7, 2012

The season opener for Brooklyn Bridge Park’s “Movies With A View” Thursday, July 5, drew thousands to the Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn to see “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial.”

Sen. Daniel Squadron, BP Marty Markowitz and BPPC Executive Director Nancy Webster were all on hand, according to McBrooklyn, which also provides the photo from MK Metz. Also in the audience was actor Robert MacNaughton, who played Elliott’s brother Michael in “E.T.” Musical entertainment was provided by Brooklyn Radio DJs, with a short film, “CatCam,” by Seth Keal, who was also in the crowd.

Next up: “To Kill a Mockingbird,” on Thursday, July 12. Info is here.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/43762

From the Web