Drag Queens at the Library, ePrix Coming to Brooklyn, Woman Who Hired a Hit Man and More Brooklyn Briefs

You can walk across the Brooklyn Bridge with Bill Murray next month: https://t.co/38NrPIAyjr pic.twitter.com/qJGoW8o2UR

— Time Out New York (@TimeOutNewYork) May 16, 2017

- Brooklyn Public Library brings drag queens, kids together for story hour. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Brooklyn judge sanctions city lawyer for 600 objections in disastrous deposition of NYPD cop. [Daily News]

- Brooklyn Seltzer Boys delivers NY nostalgia in a bottle. [Crains]

- International ePrix Formula E Car Championship coming to Brooklyn expected to draw thousands. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Retired NYPD cops upset about overturned Brooklyn convictions – and millions in settlement money. [Pix11]

- 17-year-old stabbed in the neck outside East NY high school. [Daily News]

- Brooklyn woman accused of hiring hit man to kill husband to obtain insurance money faces life without parole. [Daily News]

- Residents suing the city over the planned opening of a controversial Crown Heights homeless shelter say they’re close to an agreement. [DNAinfo]

- NYCHA trains residents for well-paying jobs in construction at Brooklyn's City Tech. [Brooklyn Eagle]

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Brooklyn Heights Library Coming Down Piece by Piece

A small, beloved library in Brooklyn Heights is being demolished.

A few years from now, a luxury skyscraper will take its place.

The library was caught in the intersection of money and politics. A shiny, smaller library will be built into the base of the new tower. Photos by MK Metz

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Developer Preps Brooklyn Heights Library for Demolition

Workers set up barriers around Brooklyn Heights Library. Photo: MK Metz

 Demolition of the Brooklyn Heights Library will be starting next week. Workers from the demo company began installing fencing around the site at 280 Cadman Plaza West on Thursday.

The city’s Department of Buildings (DOB) recently gave its official approval for the demolition.

Locals fought the sale of the library to a private developer, Hudson Companies, for years, but in the end, the city and Brooklyn Public Library prevailed.

A 36-story luxury residential tower is going up on the site. A newer, somewhat smaller library will be built on the ground floor, a mezzanine and on a lower level.

Hudson told the Brooklyn Eagle it has not yet closed on the site, but expects to in the coming weeks.


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Huma Abedin in Bk Heights; BQX Route Update; Bk Heights Library Work Starts Today; and More Brooklyn Briefs

- Huma Abedin is off the trail for the fourth day in a row. She's working out of Clinton HQ in Brooklyn instead. [Twitter]

- And more: a video tour of Hillary Clinton's campaign HQ in Brooklyn. [NY Magazine]

- City unveils possible routes for streetcar in Brooklyn and Queens. [NY Times]

- Man in wheelchair clipped by train after falling onto tracks at Brooklyn subway station. [Daily News]

- Famous Brooklyn Heights firehouse doors headed to 9/11 Memorial Museum. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- NYU is building a real holodeck. [technical.ly]

- Developer files plan to demolish Brooklyn Heights Library; Asbestos removal begins Wednesday. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Photo shows $20K portrait Trump bought with foundation money. [The Hill]

You have the right to vote free from harassment on #ElectionDay - make sure you know all your #votingrights before November 8th. pic.twitter.com/mZmycSVTsS

— Tish James (@TishJames) November 1, 2016

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More on Brooklyn Pokemon Guy; Heights Library Closes; and More Brooklyn Briefs

#wherebkat
Brooklyn Native To Travel Around Globe To Capture All Pokemon Go. https://t.co/qY2279CMHW

— WhereBK@ (@wherebkat) July 28, 2016

- Brooklyn Heights Library closes, interim library opens on Remsen Street. (Photos) [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Man beaten with selfie stick in Downtown Brooklyn. [DNAinfo]

- In a feud between different sects of Jews, surveillance video captured footage that apparently depicts a vandal pulling down a controversial Brooklyn eruv. [Forward]

- Discussion about Mayor de Blasio's affordable housing achievements. [Atlantic Yards/ Pacific Park]

- Ikea food truck bringing free meatballs to Brooklyn all week. Check here to follow the truck. [Brokelyn]

- City pumps $64 million into cultural institutions; $12.7 million of this is coming to Brooklyn. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce seeks new hub, plans to open incubator and retail store. [Crain's]

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Lawsuit Attempting to Halt Sale of Brooklyn Heights Library is Dismissed by Judge

Rendering of library development courtesy of Marvel Architects

 Love Brooklyn Libraries, Inc., a group that had sought to stop the development of the Brooklyn Heights Library, lost its case in court, the Brooklyn Eagle reports.

The group, headed by Brooklyn activist Marsha Rimler, had called the project’s environmental review inadequate. The court dismissed the claims, saying the city had dotted all the environmental  i's and crossed all the t's.

The court also ruled that the lawsuit was not served within the required deadline, and that any extension of the deadline for service would be unwarranted. See Eagle for more.

Judge rules against group trying to halt sale of Brooklyn Heights Library [Brooklyn Eagle]


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Brooklyn Native Dies Protecting Son in Orlando; Judge Mulls Brooklyn Heights Library Case; More Brooklyn Briefs

- Brooklyn native died protecting her son in Orlando nightclub attack. [Daily News]
- Sinaloa Cartel boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is likely going to call Brooklyn home soon. [Daily Caller]

- Judge mulls suit to block sale of Brooklyn Heights Library. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- An East Flatbush park turned bloody Monday afternoon when bullets started flying, striking five teenage boys. [NY Post]

- Brooklyn math professor sired 22 women by giving his sperm to women in little cups at Target. [Forward]

- Diocese of Brooklyn to publish names of pedophile priests on website. [Daily News]

- Seven people were injured in a vehicle crash near Brooklyn College Monday evening. [DNAinfo]

- All the outrageous things Donald Trump said in his anti-terror speech. [Slate]

- The best iPhone aps in the world, according to Apple. [Business Insider]



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Shot in the Butt in Crown Heights; Brooklyn Perv; Brooklyn Influencers and More

Spring Crocus explosion at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. pic.twitter.com/fzHYA7Yi6B

— Rob Jett (@thecitybirder) March 2, 2016

- A man was shot in the butt across the street from two Crown Heights school yesterday afternoon. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Borough Board approves sale of Brooklyn Heights Library, but advocacy group files a federal complaint. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Women-owned businesses are gaining ground in Brooklyn, with a 39 percent increase in the borough over a five-year period. [DNA info]

- An upstate father's horrible discovery has led to the discovery of Brooklyn man who police say preyed on children. [13Wham]

- On May 14, hundreds of cyclists will ride en masse along 7.5 miles of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway at the inaugural Brooklyn Bike Rave, a glowtastic night ride with lights and music. [Brownstoner]

- Interesting list: 100 Most Influential People in Brooklyn Culture. [Brooklyn Magazine]

- No need for Con-Ed: Brooklyn-based LO3 Energy is running a platform that lets anyone sell energy to their neighbors using blockchain technology. [BizJournals]

- A little-known Newtown Creek access point takes shape. [Greenpointers]

- Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton weigh in on important Brooklyn issues. [Brokelyn]

- Shimmy ‘Til Her Garters Break’: Drag Queen Visury Fox heats up Bay Ridge. [Bensonhurst Bean]

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Free Condoms with One Hr. Delivery in Brooklyn; Clinton Staffers Depart HQ; and More Brooklyn Briefs

Brooklyn skyline, with Governors Island. Photo by MK Metz

 - L. condom makers is offering free condoms, delivered right to your doorstep for the next two weeks. Even better, L. will deliver the free condoms to Brooklyn customers in an hour. [Brokelyn]

- Army of Clinton staffers are leaving Brooklyn headquarters to aid in New Hampshire. [Washington Post]

- Brooklyn’s Borough Board put off voting as planned on Tuesday on the contentious issue of the sale of the Brooklyn Heights Library site to a developer. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- A mentally disturbed man was arraigned Tuesday morning in the city's latest subway slashing, this one at a station in Brownsville. [abc7]

- 'Asia's Sexiest DJ' Angie Vu has found salvation in the Bible while waiting in a Brooklyn jail. [Daily News]

- Brooklyn Heights Association: NYC helicopter deal a ‘slap in the face.' [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Two people were stabbed in Sunset Park Tuesday. [abc7]

- Have you seen this 2000 BMW 323i, NY License plate number GZY2240? Police say its driver ran down a woman in Williamsburg. [NYPD News]

- The 50 best sandwiches in Brooklyn. [BK Magazine]


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Brooklyn Public Library's Fuzzy Figures; Slate Coming to MetroTech; and More Brooklyn Briefs

Sweeping snow from the steps of the Brooklyn Bridge. Photo by MK Metz

 - The Brooklyn Public Library has more money than it’s letting on, according to a new organization called Love Brooklyn Libraries. [Brooklyn Eagle]
 
- Forget Per Se. Brooklyn Fare has transformed itself from a lean, underdog chef's counter into one of the city's most comfortable and compelling expressions of haute cuisine. [Eater]

- Slate Magazine is ditching the West Village for Brooklyn. Slate signed a 21,000 square-foot lease at Metrotech Center. [TRD]

- Update: Behind the scenes at the Pineapple Walk vote in Brooklyn Heights: Property values at 75 Henry St. ballooning. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Here's a map of every pinball machine in Brooklyn. [Brownstoner]

- Police have identified the woman whose body was found floating in the East River in Williamsburg Tuesday morning. [NBC] Another woman's body floated up in Greenpoint. [Daily News]

- An inside look at Brooklyn's Asian food scene. [BK Magazine]

- Bookie tied to mob found dead two days after Brooklyn DA raids homes. [DNAinfo]

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Boos and Praise for Levin as City Council Approves Brooklyn Heights Library Deal

Library advocates were not happy at the City Council vote on Wednesday. Photo by MK Metz

The full City Council approved the proposal to sell and develop the Brooklyn Heights Library on Wednesday, ending a three-year battle by those against selling public property to private developers.

As reported in the Brooklyn Eagle, Councilmembers said it wasn't Levin's fault the Brooklyn Public Library was in such dire financial shape that the library had to be sacrificed.

“It’s not his fault the library is underfunded. In fact it’s our fault for not properly funding libraries for many, many years,” Jumaane Williams said.

As boos echoed from the balcony, Levin was praised by his fellow Councilmembers for making the deal better for his constituents.

Full story at the Eagle.

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Full City Council to Vote on Sale of Brooklyn Heights Library Today

Tall building, center right. Rendering by Marvel Architects

The New York City Council is expected to vote on the sale and development of the Brooklyn Heights Library at its meeting today (Wednesday) at 1:30 at City Hall. It remains a contentious issue, even after Councilmember Stephen Levin negotiated concessions from the developer, Hudson Companies.

Here is some background:

- City Council committee approves Brooklyn Heights Library /condo proposal [Brooklyn Eagle]
Details about the terms of the revamped proposal.

- EXCLUSIVE: How Levin crafted final deal for Brooklyn Heights Library  [Brooklyn Eagle]
This gives an inside look at many of the previously-undisclosed aspects of the deal.

-The developer's site: 280 Cadman Plaza West

- Citizens Defending Libraries press release on the deal


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Brooklyn Heights Library Decision LIkely Thursday; and More Brooklyn Briefs

Polls are open in #SunsetPark pic.twitter.com/AXd9Nnj5ND

— Justin Brannan (@JustinBrannan) December 9, 2015

- Eyes on Levin: After months of drama, the New York City Council is expected to vote on the controversial proposal to sell and redevelop the Brooklyn Heights Library on Thursday. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Fishing wire booby trap in Dyker Heights park sliced a finger, choked a dog. [Gothamist]

- Warning: Santa Con is hitting north Brooklyn this Saturday. [Brownstoner]

- Yaso Tangbao (translation: Uncle’s Soup Dumplings) are still getting the love in Downtown Brooklyn. [BK Magazine]

- Signature Bank at 26 Court St. reported burgled at 2 a.m. [Scanner]

-  A young man is wanted in a string of robberies of older people in East New York. [NY1]

- A Colorado man who has been homeless for the last six years won $500,000 in the state lottery on Friday. [Daily News]


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Brooklyn Rat Takes Selfie; and More Brooklyn Briefs

 - Stop the presses: Rat takes selfie in Brooklyn subway station. [Rapid News]

- Brooklyn Arabs outraged by rhetoric on Syrian refugees. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- The massive Brooklyn projects that beat the 421a clock. [TRD]

-  A gym with an IMAX screen is opening in DUMBO. [Patch]

- GQ interviews the 20-year-old Brooklyn rockers the fashion world "is a little obsessed about." [GQ]

- Man, 27, stabbed after fleeing to Bushwick L train station. [Daily News]

- Library controversy continues: Levin pushes for bigger Brooklyn Heights Library at City Council hearing. [Brooklyn Eagle]

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Brooklyn Heights Library Proposal Goes Before City Council Subcommittee Today

Courtesy MarvelArchitects

Expect some noise and possible light (nah, just noise) this afternoon as the City Council's subcommittee on Planning, Dispositions and Concessions takes up two related applications:

- To dispose of the Brooklyn Heights Library at 280 Cadman Plaza West (now called 1 Clinton Street even before it actually exists), build a hi-rise there, and build "affordable" housing in another neighborhood

- To acquire a condo unit inside the proposed hi-rise for a smaller but more modern replacement library.

The rest of the City Council will presumably vote how Heights' Councilmember Stephen Levin votes. While the Brooklyn Heights Association rolled over on this one, a number of very vocal residents will skin Levin alive if he votes for the project as is.

It will be interesting to see what concessions he can squeeze from the developer, if any, to justify making the project (which has been compared to "giving the finger to Brooklyn Heights") palatable.

Interestingly, Borough President Eric Adams disapproved the project, with conditions, which raised his profile with a number of voters who weren't sure if he stood with them on this issue.

The project was approved by the City Planning Commission.

Citizens Defending Libraries and union groups are expected to make a strong showing in Council chambers.


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Brownsville the Next Startup Hub? And More Brooklyn Briefs

- This man’s face was not always his own. Three months ago, it belonged to a young Brooklyn bike mechanic. [NY Magazine]

- Hate crime? Police are looking for suspects in connection to an egging crime in Brooklyn. [CBS local]

- A guide to independent bookstores in Brooklyn. [Brooklyn Magazine]

- Brooklyn, Manhattan residents testify about 'incessant' noise, pollution as NYC Council considers bills banning tourist helicopters. [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Have you seen this guy? Police say he robbed a TD Bank in Brooklyn. (The photo is amazingly clear.) [Fox5]

- Could Brownsville be the next startup hub? [Technical.ly]

- Interesting article on the history of many libraries in Brooklyn. [Brownstoner]

- The Brooklyn Eagle: from Walt Whitman to online today. [Brownstoner]


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Decent Soup Dumplings Finally Hit Brooklyn, and More Brooklyn Briefs

A man was struck and killed Monday after a car jumped the curb and flipped over in Flatbush: https://t.co/vpvSCnapjr

— NY1 News (@NY1) November 10, 2015

- A man was killed on Monday when a car jumped a curb on Flatbush Ave., flipped over and struck him while he was walking on the sidewalk. [NY1] and [NY Times]

- Decent soup dumplings finally come to Downtown Brooklyn. [Brooklyn Based]

- More lawsuits for Brooklyn charter accused of mistreating disabled students? [Brooklyn Eagle]

- Concerned about the Brooklyn Heights Library project? Contact Councilman Levin. [BHB]

- The Brooklyn tech scene is expected to rake in $15.5 billion by 2025, according to a report released by Brooklyn Tech Triangle on Monday. [Metro]

- Time-lapse animated wall mural created in Brooklyn (video). [CityLab]

- Did you catch this rendering of the 1,000-foot tower coming to Downtown Brooklyn? It will be New York City’s tallest building outside of Manhattan, and give Brooklyn "its first legitimate supertall skyscraper." [New York YIMBY]

- The White House is prepping for a huge solar storm that could kick us back into the Dark Ages...[Science Alert]

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City Planning Approves Controversial Brooklyn Heights Library Hi-Rise; City Council Next

Rendering courtesy of Marvel Architects

 The plan to knock down the 2-story Brooklyn Heights Library and replace it with a 36-story residential tower took another step closer to reality on Monday when the City Planning Commission approved it unanimously, the Brooklyn Eagle reports.

The ULURP process moves next to the City Council, where a hearing must be held within 50 days.

While the plan was endorsed by the Brooklyn Heights Association, it has received vocal and passionate opposition from hundreds of residents who objected on a number of grounds.

One long-time resident told the Eagle that the hi-rise plan was "like giving the finger to Brooklyn Heights.”

Councilmember Stephan Levin told the paper, "We are looking at how this project affects the amount and type of library space available to the community and how it fits in with other pressing concerns in the neighborhood, like the overcrowding at P.S. 8.”


Controversial Brooklyn Heights Library hi-rise approved by City Planning [Brooklyn Eagle]



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Brooklyn BP Adams 'Disapproves with Conditions' Controversial Brooklyn Heights Library Plan

Rendering courtesy of Marvel Architects

  On Wednesday, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams "disapproved with conditions" the development project proposed for the site of the Brooklyn Heights Library at 280 Cadman Plaza West, the Brooklyn Eagle reports.

The response was issued following months of hearing from passionate local residents and community activists and a public hearing he held at Brooklyn Borough Hall on August 18.

Among other concerns, Adams listed crowded schools, off-site affordable housing, library floor area and more.

More at:

Brooklyn BP Adams 'disapproves with conditions' Brooklyn Heights Library development  [Brooklyn Eagle]


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Brooklyn Heights Library ULURP Hearing at Borough Hall Tonight (Tuesday)

Rendering: Marvel Architects

Tonight (Tuesday, Aug. 18) at 6 p.m., Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams will host a Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) public hearing on proposed plans for the Brooklyn Heights Library.

In the plan, Hudson Companies Inc. would build a 30-plus-story residential tower, replace the current library with a smaller one, and construct 114 affordable-housing units in Clinton Hill.

BP Adams will hear testimony from community stakeholders, including the Brooklyn Public Library and local residents, regarding their views on the pending application.

Get there at 5:30 p.m. if you want to sign up to comment.

On July 17, at a packed and frequently interrupted meeting Wednesday night, Brooklyn's Community Board 2 approved, with provisions, the much-disputed plan.

The added provisions would create a reserve fund of at least $2 million for future capital repairs; require the same "usable" floor space as the existing branch (there is some confusion over what is exactly usable, however); and create a Community Benefits Agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).


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