Lander Eyes New Kensington Plaza
- City Councilman Brad Lander
City Councilman Brad Lander announced via a newsletter yesterday that his office is exploring putting a new pedestrian plaza in Kensington on the small concrete island triangle on McDonald Avenue off of Avenue C.
The proposed plaza follows a similar plaza at Church Avenue and Beverley Road, dubbed Kensington Plaza, and instituted with the help of two community organizations – the Neighborhood Plaza Partnership and Kensington Stewards.
“Like Kensington Plaza, the area will offer another public space for the community, with moveable tables and chairs, umbrellas, and planters – a place to get coffee with friends, socialize, and enjoy the neighborhood,” wrote Lander in the newsletter.
NYC DOT, the Kensington Stewards, and Neighborhood Plaza Partnership will be hosting a public workshop for residents to give input on this new pedestrian public space proposal. The meeting is slated for 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 29 at P.S. 179, 202 Avenue C (Between East 2nd and East 3rd Streets).
Golden Alerts Residents Of Hikes In City Water Bill
Bay Ridge State Sen. Martin J. Golden, yesterday, alerted residents that the New York City Water Board is considering a projected 3.24% rate hike and that public comment is now being accepted to protest the proposed increase.
If approved the increase will start with July water bills.
“The Water Board needs to know that their (the Water Board) thoughtless decisions and actions have negative financial consequences for the hardworking people of our city,” said Golden. “The only chance we have to stop the NYC Water Board’s soaking of taxpayers is by attending the public hearing and
expressing our outrage. The Water Board must hear from us before they approve any water rate increases that will contribute to the financial drowning of New Yorkers.”
Golden is urging residents to attend the public hearing on the increase and voice their protest. The meeting is slated for 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 28 at St Francis College, Founders Hall 180 Remsen Street.
Adams Expands Breastfeeding Zones
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams will announce today his proposal for the city’s largest expansion of public breastfeeding zones, including a site inside Brooklyn Borough Hall.
The breastfeeding zone follows in the footsteps of Bed-Stuy City Councilman Robert Cornegy, who put a breastfeeding room in his district office when first elected.
Adams new initiative focuses on the wellness of the borough’s large number of families with young children. According to the United States Census, there are roughly 200,000 Brooklynites under the age of five, a figure higher than the New York State average.
In addition to his focus on empowering breastfeeding mothers, Borough President Adams will additionally urge the passage of statewide paid family leave as well as funding for the mental health screening of new mothers, addressing the complications of postpartum depression.
