Markowitz Pledges Millions for Culture, Community; Loew's Theater Renovations

President Marty Markowitz’s 2012 State of the Borough address on Feb. 1 had a number of interesting initiatives, the Brooklyn Eagle reports.

One of them was a $1 million allocation for transforming the Bedford-Union Armory in Crown Heights into a community center. Markowitz also pledged $1 million to transform Erasmus Hall Academy into a trade and cultural center for the Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce.

Renovations will finally be starting at the old Loew’s Kings Theater on Flatbush Avenue, to be completed in 2014. “It will be Brooklyn’s Beacon Theater and Apollo, all rolled into one,” Markowitz said.

Having failed in the past to bring an Apple store to Brooklyn, Markowitz challenged Apple CEO Tim Cook to bring a manufacturing plant to East New York or Brownsville.

While there were no pole dancers this year, musical guests included 15-year-old Brownsville rapper Brian “Astro” Bradley, the group DEEP and others.

Once again, Markowitz honored a number of "Brooklyn Characters." More details at the Brooklyn Eagle.

Photo of Lowes King Theater by Jim Hendersen, courtesy Wikipedia Creative Commons

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