Brooklyn Bridge Park Revenue Meeting Tonight (Tuesday, Nov. 30)

All members of the public are encouraged to attend and testify on alternative sources of revenue that could finance the operations of Brooklyn Bridge Park in lieu of revenues from the Pier 6 and John Street development sites:

Tonight:
Tuesday, November 30, 6pm - 8pm
Long Island College Hospital, 339 Hicks Street
Avram Conference Center, 1st floor

Also:
Thursday, December 9, 6pm - 8pm
St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street,
Founders Hall Auditorium, 1st floor

According to the Cobble Hill Association, a recent proposal offered by community members to negotiate a deal with the Jehovah Witnesses to develop their soon-to-be-abandoned buildings close to the park, for the benefit of park financing is gaining traction. Other park funding models, including Senator Squadron's park increment recapture proposal (named the PIRC plan) also offer relief from the condos plan.

Draft courtesy of Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy 

Go to McBrooklyn's HOME PAGE.

Gowanus Whole Foods Going Even Greener, Building Half-Acre Greenhouse

Now that Whole Foods Market is moving ahead with their first Brooklyn store at 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street, they've decided to go even greener and have made some dramatic changes to the original design.

According to the Brooklyn Eagle, these changes include:

- The number of onsite parking spaces has been reduced from 430 to 248.

- Parking for energy-efficient vehicles as well as specially designated recharging stations for electric powered vehicles will be provided.

- Bike parking in front of the store and along the 40-foot pedestrian promenade will be installed.

- The store will create a 20,000-square-foot rooftop greenhouse that will grow fresh, organic produce onsite.

20,000 square feet is almost half an acre -- pretty darn decent for a Brooklyn garden. If it is operated like the Whole Foods garden in Richmond, Virginia,the plot will supply fresh produce for prepared dishes and salad-bar options.

The enterprising man in the Google Street View image above is ready to roll. He's placed a shopping cart in the middle of the street and has another one ready to go on the sidewalk. Good fellow!

The striking building on the corner is the landmarked Coignet Stone Company Building, which isn't going anywhere. It is one of the earliest known concrete buildings in New York City, and possibly the country. More about it here.

Go to McBrooklyn's HOME PAGE.

Bloomberg Has His Way with Cathie Black

Not much surprise here -- in spite of a "No" vote by his eight-member advisory board, state Education Commissioner David M. Steiner caved, giving Mayor Michael Bloomberg what he has been demanding: a waiver that would allow the tragically inexperienced Cathie Black to become chancellor of the nation's largest school system.

The legal out Steiner employed (which may not actually be legal) was Bloomberg's agreement to have an actual qualified educator serving with under Black, apparently whispering in her ear about all things educational. This qualified educator is Deputy Chancellor Shael Polakow-Suransky, who has experience running schools and has actual degrees and stuff.

Isn't that always the way? The guy with the real talent and experience ends up working as "assistant" to the boss's favorite.

Bloomberg says that Black, chairperson at Hearst Magazines (by the way, she seems like a nice person who somehow just got mixed up with the wrong people) doesn't need any experience in education because she's a talented manager.

Today a group of talented retired teachers are hoofing it over to Hearst Magazines in the hopes of snagging Black's job. Sounds fair.

Hey -- money saving idea! Why not cut out Black and just appoint Polakow-Suransky? We hear he's really qualified.

Stories about this: NY Times, NY1

Go to McBrooklyn's HOME PAGE.

Brooklyn Speaks Files for Stay of Construction at Atlantic Yards

Brooklyn Speaks sent us this email, which reads in part:

On Wednesday, November 24, several BrooklynSpeaks sponsor organizations filed a motion with New York State Supreme Court seeking to halt construction activities at Forest City Ratner Company's Atlantic Yards site.

The motion comes after a November 9 decision from Justice Marcy Friedman finding that the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) lacked a rational basis for assuming that Atlantic Yards project would be completed in ten years when the agency approved the project’s 2009 Modified General Project Plan (MGPP).

“If nothing happens, FCRC will soon begin to raze buildings, grade and pave an entire city block in Prospect Heights to create 1,100 parking spaces for arena events,” said Gib Veconi of the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council. “Although they say it’s an ‘interim’ parking lot, under the MGPP, it could stay that way for up to 25 years. The State needs to disclose the noise, traffic, and air quality impacts of that likely scenario before moving forward.”

“The difference between 10 and 25 years is a long time to wait for affordable housing,” added Deb Howard, Executive Director of the Pratt Area Community Council.

“The Governor and the Governor-elect can no longer ignore the fact that a State authority, appointed by the executive, has misrepresented a major development project to the Court and to the people of New York State. The ESDC has abdicated its obligations to the public purse and the public interest. Now it’s time for the Governor to put the interests of the people above those of a powerful real estate developer and commit to reform of Atlantic Yards governance.”

More at Brooklyn Speaks.

Photo by Steve Soblick, Creative Commons license 

Go to McBrooklyn's HOME PAGE.

LICH Property Back on the Market; Ellis G Sues the City; and More Brooklyn Briefs

-  Four former Long Island College Hospital (LICH) parcels in Cobble Hill are back on the market. Brooklyn Eagle 

- A Brooklyn girl with an affinity for working with meat. The L Magazine

- Brooklyn downtown preservation is overreach, foes say.  Crain's NY

- Brooklyn director's nonfiction film nominated for "Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You" at tonight's IFP Gotham Independent Film Awards. WSJ

- Artist Ellis Gallagher, who has been arrested three times by the NYPD for drawing on the sidewalk with chalk, is now suing the city for $1 million. Brooklyn Paper

- Make this while apples are piled a mile high at farmers markets: Beecher Apple Pie, from the Plymouth Fair Cook Book by Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher. Brooklynology

- Compromise, schmompromise: Many still oppose the appointment of Cathie Black as Schools Chancellor, even with her little helper. Brooklyn Eagle

- NYC guide to getting rid of your old crap.  Brokelyn 

Go to McBrooklyn's HOME PAGE.

Sale at New Aeropostale in Downtown Brooklyn

Here's a fine how-de-do:  Everything is 50-70% off at Aeropostale. If you can't make it to the new store on Fulton Street in Downtown Brooklyn, you can get special bargains online today for Cyber Monday.

Photo by MK Metz

Go to McBrooklyn's HOME PAGE.

Art in DUMBO: 'Other People's Lives' Opens Dec. 2

Christy Powers: Other People's Lives
Opening Reception
Thursday, December 2, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m .

Artist talk: Saturday, December 18, 3:00pm

At the Giacobetti Paul Gallery in Dumbo: 111 Front Street (on the second floor in Gallery #220) 

December 2, 2010 - January 2, 2011

Go to McBrooklyn's HOME PAGE.

Shopping Deals and Discounts in Brooklyn Today

UPDATE: For 2012 deals and discounts, click here.

Snag yourself some post-Thanksgiving deals in Brooklyn this weekend. Let's start with Shop Brooklyn, a borough-wide "shop local" campaign highlighting Brooklyn's neighborhoods and stores and offering a variety of discounts.

Look for the "Shop Brooklyn" decal on participating store windows through Christmas and ask for your "Brooklyn Bonus" or check out ishopbrooklyn.com for more details on participating stores and savings.

For example, if you walk into Models on Fulton Street in Downtown Brooklyn, just ask for your Brooklyn Bonus and you'll get 10 percent off. 

On top of this, there are a few special Downtown Brooklyn deals for holiday shoppers this weekend. Note, some discounts are only given Saturday):

Head to the new Aéropostale on Fulton Street and receive $10 off you purchase of $50 or more. Click on the image to download and print your coupon. Coupon is valid through 12/03/10 and redeemable only at Fulton Street. (Aéropostale, 472-474 Fulton Street)

 Now through November 28, purchase almost any item and get a second item of equal or lesser value free at Lane Bryant. 380 Fulton Street, Downtown Brooklyn. (718) 855-8300

Macy's is having a big sale this weekend. The top coupon for ten dollars is only good through Saturday, November 27 so use it or lose it. The 15 percent off coupon below it is good till November 30.

In Brooklyn Heights (and elsewhere), Banana Republic is offering 25 percent off everything through Sunday.

Here's a Barnes & Noble coupon only good through Sunday.

Here's a page full of Barnes & Noble coupons for oddball books, only good this weekend.

In addition, Saturday, November 27 is Small Business Saturday. American Express is giving registered Cardmembers a $25 statement credit when they shop at small businesses today only. See here.

Go to McBrooklyn's HOME PAGE.

Public Meetings on Alternatives to Housing in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Community Board 6 sent us this reminder:
All members of the public are encouraged to attend and testify on alternative sources of revenue that could finance the operations of Brooklyn Bridge Park in lieu of revenues from the Pier 6 and John Street development sites:

Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 6pm - 8pm
Long Island College Hospital, 339 Hicks Street
Avram Conference Center, 1st floor

Thursday, December 9, 2010, 6pm - 8pm
St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street,
Founders Hall Auditorium, 1st floor


Go to McBrooklyn's HOME PAGE.

Brooklyn Councilman Greenfield Launching TSA Abuse Web Site; Working to Ban Airport Scanners

Will Forward Reports of Sexual Abuse to Prosecutors' Offices

Brooklyn Councilman David G. Greenfield has scheduled a City Hall press conference for this afternoon (November 24th) to announce the launch of a web site where travelers can report inappropriate conduct by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents.

The website will also offer information to travelers about their rights, including the right to opt-out of full body scanning machines that produce a nude image of the traveler. (We've received a report that TSA agents at Kennedy were wrongly telling travelers yesterday that they do not have the right to opt out. This is blatantly false.)

Many security experts insist that these invasive scanners do not stop terrorists from bringing explosives onto planes. Last week, Councilman Greenfield announced legislation that would ban the use of full body scanners, more commonly known as "naked body scanners," in all of New York City – including John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia.

“Unfortunately, travel delays won’t be the only headache for millions of Americans in the coming weeks," said Councilman Greenfield. "This holiday season, travelers will have to contend with egregious violations of their rights and a complete disregard for their dignity as they fly to visit with friends and family for the holidays. While I work with over a dozen of my colleagues in the City Council who are supporting my proposed ban of these naked body scanners in New York City, I hope that this website can serve as a resource for travelers and a warning for TSA agents that they will be held accountable for any misconduct.”

Any information collected on the website regarding allegations of sexual battery at New York’s airports will be forwarded to the local prosecuting office.

- TSA Harassment Video 
- Opt Out of Airport Scanners, TSA Groping  

Go to McBrooklyn's HOME PAGE.