We’ve received this somewhat cryptic message from Notify NYC:

Notification issued on 7/19/14 at 11:18 AM. The United States Coast Guard reports that a ship in Arthur Kill [red in map] off the coast of Staten Island is offloading various fuel products. As a result, there may be an odor in Staten Island and Brooklyn. Please report natural gas emergencies to 9-1-1.

Could the “fuel products” include liquefied natural gas?

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/68792

Downtown Brooklyn will have a park to rival Manhattan’s Bryant Park and a high tech underground parking garage will help finance its construction. The New York Times reports that the city is planning to have Willoughby Square opened in 2016.

NYT: The square will span more than an acre on Willoughby Street, a half-block from the Fulton Street mall, with manicured lawns, walkways and gardens, as well as a site to commemorate the abolitionist movement. Below it, the garage will house about 700 cars at any given time, relying on a system of computers rather than garage attendants. It will be the largest automated parking facility in North America.

“This will be a marquee public space,” said Tucker Reed, the president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, a nonprofit local development corporation that will oversee the park’s maintenance. “From the waterfront to the Barclays Center is the core of the 21st century downtown, and to have a public amenity like this right in the middle ties everything together.”

The square has been in the works for nearly a decade, one piece of the 2004 rezoning of downtown Brooklyn. In that time, the city has spent about $40 million on the project for land acquisition and design work and to relocate families and businesses. But Willoughby Square faltered during the economic downturn, with funding cuts and an inability to find a developer.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/60779

Manhattan borough president Scott M. Stringer has proposed a beachfront park with kayaking, marshlands and a pedestrian bridge—on the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge—in a plan that appears to mimic many of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s amenities.

Stringer’s East River Blueway Plan, announced Thursday in his State of the Borough speech, calls for a public beach and kayaking directly beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, creation of two boat launches at Stuyvesant Cove at the ends of 20th & 23rd Streets, and installation of marshlands & sea walls in vulnerable flood zones. He also discussed a pedestrian bridge to elevate bike and pedestrian paths over F.D.R. Drive at 14th Street.

The New York Times reports today that the plan involved public meetings with community groups and consultations with seven city and state agencies. Stringer: “We want to open the waterfront from a recreation perspective, but we also want to protect our fragile waterfront by recognizing the reality of storm surges.” Stringer has already pledged $3.5 million in capital funding toward new marshlands.

Brooklyn Bridge Park opened its Boathouse at Pier 1 for kayaking and community rowing last June. Likewise, the much-heralded pop-up pool and BBP “beach” launched last summer on the Pier 2 uplands of Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/54977

Another update on what is becoming a regular topic of interest in the neighborhood: refuse, rubish, trash! Here’s Judy Stanton from the BHA: “Our local garage superintendent informed me (Tuesday night) that he will have regular garbage trucks in the Heights Wednesday, but no recyclables whatsoever will be picked up. Even if the DSNY does not plan to issue summonses, the neighborly thing to do is keep what is not going to be picked up off the curb and preferably out of sight. Reminder: The corner baskets are for pedestrian litter only.”

Mayor Bloomberg, meanwhile, says that heavily impacted nabes from Hurricane Sandy—including Staten Island, south Queens and southern Brooklyn—will have collection & debris removal around the clock, while less impacted areas may see collections reduced. “Areas normally receiving three times a week collection may only receive two collections per week, while areas that receive two times per week collection may only receive one collection while emergency debris removal work continues.” Sanitation crews are currently working 12-hour shifts, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51489

We’ve received word from Notify NYC that because flooding has allowed untreated wastewater to flow into local waterways, “direct contact with the Hudson River, East River, New York Harbor, Jamaica Bay and the Kill Van Kull for recreational activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, or any other water activity that would entail possible direct contact with the water should be avoided until further notice.”

This brings to my mind the Beach Boys’ song “Don’t Go Near the Water,” performed when my old Lion’s Head drinking buddy Blondie Chaplin (left in photo above) was with the group. Video of the song after the jump.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/50884

Brooklyn Heights Association Executive Director Judy Stanton shares with BHB: “The word from our local NYC DSNY garage superintendent is that he does not expect to be picking up garbage Monday during the day shift. The garage that services Brooklyn Heights is located in the flood evacuation zone, making collection suspensions likely until the storm subsides.”

In addition, Monday recycling is canceled, most likely all week. Please do not put it out until further notice. Stanton will share updates about garbage collection as the week progresses, adding, “Superintendents will have a difficult time planning ahead, but in the interest of keeping Brooklyn Heights clean, we ask them to hold back garbage until it is certain to be picked up.” Further, if garbage has been put to the curb, she asks to bring it behind front railings, “and do everything necessary to prevent it from becoming airborne during the worst hours of the storm.”

In addition, please keep in mind that public trashcans along streets will also not be emptied as the storm endures.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/50091

It’s been more than two weeks since at least two public trashcans vanished from prominent locations close to Brooklyn Heights’ Promenade entrances: one at the corner of Montague Street and Montague Terrace and another at the corner of Remsen Street and Montague Terrace.

Both of these receptacles were not only consistently packed with garbage along central corridors of the neighborhood, but were convenient for pet owners to contribute doggie dumps—instead of using trashcans belonging to area buildings. So we wonder… what’s the scoop?

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/49497

The Brooklyn Heights Association alerts us to the fact that there will be no garbage pick-up tomorrow, Monday, October 8, because of the Columbus Day holiday. Garbage should be held back until late Tuesday night; it will be picked up Wednesday. Those whose recyclables are normally picked up on Monday will need to wait for the following Monday, October 15, for recyclables to be picked up.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/48949

The Brooklyn Heights Association alerts us to the fact that there will be no garbage pick-up tomorrow, Monday, October 8, because of the Columbus Day holiday. Garbage should be held back until late Tuesday night; it will be picked up Wednesday. Those whose recyclables are normally picked up on Monday will need to wait for the following Monday, October 15, for recyclables to be picked up.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/48949

Dr. Barry Commoner, the scientist and environmental advocate whom the New York Times calls “Planet Earth’s Lifeguard,” and a resident of Brooklyn Heights, died Sunday after a long illness. He was a Brooklyn native, a graduate of James Madison High School and Columbia University, and received his doctorate at Harvard. On the occasion of the first Earth Day, in 1970, Time magazine put his image on its cover, and he was a candidate for President on the Citizens’ Party ticket in 1980. During that campaign, the Times notes, a reporter asked him, “Are you a serious candidate or are you just running on the issues?”

According to the Times:

Dr. Commoner was a leader among a generation of scientist-activists who recognized the toxic consequences of America’s post-World War II technology boom, and one of the first to stir the national debate over the public’s right to comprehend the risks and make decisions about them.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa Feiner, two children by a previous marriage, and a grandchild.

Photo: 250.columbia.edu.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/48732

On August 1, the Montague Street Business Improvement District hired a new sanitation contractor, Block By Block, which BID says is a nationally recognized provider of supplemental sanitation and streetscape maintenance. Its team will be working year-round, seven days a week to keep Montague Street up to par.

The company brings to the neighborhood a “Special Projects” Ambassador to address specific maintenance issues, including graffiti removal, deep cleaning and other projects above and beyond typical cleaning services. Extended service hours will be in effect through the remainder of the summer during weekends. The new team’s uniforms are blue, with the Montague BID logo.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/46956

Longtime nabe resident “politegangsta” investigates the source of a really loud noise under the Brooklyn Heights Promenade in a YouTube video posted earlier this month. What is it? Find out after the jump.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/46553

A group of concerned residents who reside at 200 Hicks Street are taking to task the new owners of the Bossert Hotel at 98 Montague Street. Brooklyn Heights rez Elizabeth Bailey and her comrades believe the conversion plan currently before the Bureau of Standard and Appeals could create serious noise, traffic and safety issues in the area.

She writes to the Brooklyn Heights Blog: “Although residents of Brooklyn are happy, mostly, about our borough’s resurgence, or rather, emergence, those of us who live here because it is a quiet, safe place to live and bring up children, are worried that these developers are showing little regard to neighborhood concerns.”

New owners David Bistricer and Joseph Chetrit are seeking a variance to convert the hotel to a “commercial transient facility,” from its status as visitor housing for previous owner Jehovah’s Witnesses. The BSA has scheduled a hearing on the application September 11.

The group of residents at 200 Hicks, located at the northwest corner of Montague, say that the plan could deter the Heights’ peaceful persona “if it is done without regard to the nature and character of our residential community.” Bailey points to a New York Times feature on the Bossert from November 2011, in which Brooklyn Heights Association executive director Judy Stanton notes concerns about upkeep, “since Watchtower society placed a premium on maintenance, including the surrounding sidewalks and parks.” Stanton also intimates that the neighborhood may become livelier if the Bossert is converted into a high-end hotel.

Bailey writes, “The developers are proposing to increase the number of rooms from 224 to 302. Although they speak of creating a boutique hotel, over 300 rooms is a pretty big boutique. They also have plans to build a ground floor restaurant, event spaces (weddings and bar mitzvahs, etc.) and a bar on the rooftop. The developers contend that the increase in traffic on the busy corner of Montague and Hicks from their proposed hotel will be negligible.” She finds this “hard to believe.”

“There have been many articles in the New York press about the negative impact of noisy bars—particularly rooftop bars—on residential neighborhoods,” Bailey adds, citing Times’ stories here and here.

“We understand from press reports that both Chetrit and Bistricer have been publicly criticized for various aspects of their past real estate ventures. Among other controversial matters, Chetrit is one of the investors in the Empire Hotel near Lincoln Center, which has been the subject of a three-year battle that a West 62nd Street coop had to wage in the courts over ‘torment’ from the noise from its rooftop bar well after midnight,” Bailey says. “The developers are also involved with the Chelsea Hotel, which has been the subject of recent controversy. Noise and traffic: That’s what Brooklyn Heights residents are worried about.”

The 200 Hicks Street group proposes that restrictions be put in place on the proposed hotel/bar: “The aim is to limit the increase in noise and traffic that would compromise the safety and the character of this neighborhood.” Bailey invites public discourse of the issue, and is available via email at Elizaabailey@mac.com.

Comments from the BHB community?

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/45367

It’s been a bad year for elm trees in the Heights. Just under a year ago, the great elm in the courtyard of the Mansion House, 145 Hicks Street, fell victim to Hurricane Irene. Now we have learned that the even larger and probably older elm in the courtyard of Grace Church (photo) off Hicks between Grace Court and Joralemon has been diagnosed with Dutch elm disease which, left to run its natural course, would kill the tree within a few years and likely infect others nearby. The church has announced, with sorrow, that the tree will be removed August 22nd and 23rd, just shy of the anniversary of the loss of the Mansion House elm.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/45202

The War on Trees continues – A tree fell to its death on Henry Street near Clark yesterday. Karl Junkersfeld was there to capture it all on video. Watch after the jump.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/45094

The Brooklyn Public Library has issued a one-sheet apologizing for the continued lack of air conditioning at its Heights branch, and the intermittent shutdown of the Cadman Plaza location as a result. “Please accept our apologies for the periodic closures at the Brooklyn Heights branch. The air conditioning system for most of the building no longer works, resulting in excessively high temperatures. In consideration of the safety of the Library’s patrons and employees, we are monitoring the temperature and closing the building as necessary,” the notice says.

Worse yet, because of the condition and age of the AC system, it cannot be repaired: “The only solution is to replace the entire system, which will take at least several months to complete upon receipt of the replacement equipment.” In its place, the branch is exploring a temporary central chilled water plant on the exterior of the building—which it admits will create “new disruptions related to noise and the smell of a diesel generator that must be refueled frequently”—as well as a timeline of several months to implement.

The library will continue to open the building only when “conditions are safe for the public and library staff,” although evening programs will continue as planned, since its auditorium has a separate AC system.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44363

At about 11:30 a.m. Sunday, we spotted this mountain of garbage surrounding the mailbox on the southwest corner of Hicks and Clark Streets. Another passerby was already on the phone with 311 to report the pileup which was made up of some household items and mattresses.

What happened? Someone moved and just got tired of putting garbage in the right place?

On another note, all public garbage cans along Hicks towards Joralemon (we were on our way to Pier 6) were also overflowing with trash.

Photo: Mrs. Fink

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/44279

New York’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) intends to utilize Brooklyn Bridge Park as a showcase for New York City’s pristine water supply in the battle against bottled water’s waste of plastic. Both Pier 1 and Pier 6 will offer its “Water On The Go” program, which will bring portable drinking fountains to the locale throughout the summer. The porta-sips will also pop up along the Borough Hall Plaza.

According to a story in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Water on the Go units pretty much resemble portable sinks with six nozzles, hooked up to a fire hydrant by a tube. There are also bowls for pets. A station was set up outside during the Brooklyn Historical Society Brooklyn Brewery Beer Gardens event May 30 in Brooklyn Heights, pictured here.

BBP President Regina Myer told the Eagle, “As a waterfront park, we pride ourselves on being a destination that offers something for everyone, and we’re happy to add the… park’s Water-on-the-Go station.” Brooklyn Bridge Park participated in Water-on-the-Go last year as well.

Read the full story at Brooklyn Daily Eagle here.

(Photo: Chuck Taylor)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/42730

It was a perfect weekend day, and Karl has the best of what Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the Fulton Ferry Historic District had to offer: The P.S. 8 Paddlewheeler Festival! The secrets of compost tea! Gran Electrica’s backyard garden! Red admiral butterflies! See it all on his video after the jump.

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41667

A fire could be seen on the Brooklyn Bridge from the Promenade Thursday evening around 9:15 p.m., with plumes of black smoke blowing from the mid-section of the bridge. It appears a car may have caught on fire, with sirens blazing. The majority of the smoke had dissipated within 20 minutes or so.

UPDATE: NBC Channel 4 files a report here. More pics below.

(Photos: Chuck Taylor)

Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/41485