Schumer Wants Fed Money For Bklyn Navy Yard
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, yesterday, urged the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to provide $2.5 million in federal grant funding for the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s jobs expansion project.
The money will go towards renovating two floors of Building 77 to create move-in ready 3,000-5,000 square foot units for small- and medium-sized businesses. Building 77 is currently owned by New York City and is being transformed into a hub for private manufacturing with the city investing $140 million in the expansion.
The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation recently submitted an application for the $2.5 million in federal funding.
“The renaissance of Brooklyn Navy Yard is an economic development and job-creation miracle that – at 99% capacity — is busting at the seams. The bottom line is that the Navy Yard must have the ability to expand and renovate its existing buildings to attract even more small-to-medium-sized businesses to bring in even more jobs, jobs, jobs,” said Schumer.
The 300-acre industrial park is now home to over 300 industrial tenants, employing more than 7,000 people.
Fed Lawmakers Get Money for Steeplechase Pier
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, yesterday, announced over $3.4 million in federal funding for Sandy-related repairs to the Coney Island Steeplechase Pier.
“The iconic Steeplechase Pier in Coney Island was unfortunately damaged during Superstorm Sandy and was under construction for nearly one whole year. This federal funding makes sure that local taxpayers are not entirely on the hook for repairing the iconic Steeplechase Pier, but instead get to enjoy it for many years to come,” said Schumer.
“I am pleased Coney Island will get this federal funding to help cover the cost of repairing Steeplechase Pier,” said Gillibrand. “Superstorm Sandy devastated our communities, and this critical FEMA funding will help provide much needed resources on the ground to help rebuild as recovery efforts continue.”
“The Steeplechase Pier is an iconic part of the Coney Island community. We are proud to deliver this federal grant, which will be used to repair the pier and protect it from storms that may occur in the future. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, along with Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand should be applauded for their pivotal roles in making this happen,” said Jeffries.
The money will go for reinforced concrete joints, wood decking to be removed and reset with recycled plastic lumber on the beginning stretch and wings, new light poles, water line, viewing platforms, benches and shade structures.
Cumbo Rally to End Sexual Violence
In commemoration of Denim Day NYC and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, New York City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo and Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer will lead a rally with elected officials, survivors and advocates on the steps of City Hall to call for an end to sexual violence.
NYPD Commissioner William Bratton as keynote speaker, delivering remarks on ending college campus sexual assaults. The rally will also feature a denim-themed fashion show honoring survivors of sexual violence.
WHO: New York City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo, chair of the Committee on Women’s Issues, Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer, NYPD Commissioner William Bratton, Survivors, Youth Leaders, and Advocates
WHEN: 11 a.m. today
WHERE: Steps of City Hall
Levin Gets Cultural Plan Passed
North Brooklyn City Councilman Stephen Levin a bill he co-sponsored calling for the development of a comprehensive Cultural Plan get passed by the full city council yesterday.
The plan will research and devise a comprehensive strategy to increase access, equity and opportunity for all New Yorkers to engage in the arts and culture, and plan how New York City can remain an artist friendly city in a time of skyrocketing rents and a variety of economic pressures.
“New York City is the cultural capital of the world and it is important that we do everything we can to ensure that it stays that way. With the passage of this legislation, New York City will soon create its first-ever comprehensive cultural plan and will create a roadmap to making New York a more artist-friendly city and ensuring that we are able to exhibit the rich culture found in every borough,” said Levin, who co-sponsored the bill with Council member Jimmy Van Bramer.
Under the Cultural Plan, the Department of Cultural Affairs will survey and identify the current level of service of cultural groups in each neighborhood; detail the feedback from community outreach, establish a strategy to meet the specified needs of each community; quantify the economic impact of arts and culture in the City; and ultimately put forth a targeted approach to increase cultural activity citywide, increase the economic impact of the arts and culture and provide support to individual and emerging artists in the City.
Squadron Rails At GOP Senators For .50-Caliber Rifle Vote
Northern Brooklyn State Sen. Daniel Squadron, yesterday, railed at the Republican-controlled Senate Codes Committee for rejecting his bill, the “.50 Caliber Threat Reduction Act”.
“Today the Republican majority killed a public safety measure to protect communities and law enforcement, and fight terrorism. Committee members today should have voted ‘Aye’ and the bill should have passed.
“My bill would protect New Yorkers against certain high-powered .50-caliber rifles that have the capacity to kill a human from over a mile away, pierce body and vehicle armor, and destroy military and civilian infrastructure. Today these weapons are available in New York State without registration or a permit. Former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly has said that .50-caliber rifles are ‘clearly a weapon of war,'” said Squadron.
Squadron noted the bill has no impact on the vast majority of gun-owners, or on any weapon appropriate for hunting. It simply bans a certain kind of high-powered .50-caliber rifle with reasonable exemptions, including for older weapons.
Golden On Passage of Women’s Equality Bill
Bay Ridge Sen. Marty Golden, yesterday, said he was proud of the senate passing Women’s Equality Package as the legislative body’s first bill to pass in the 2015 legislative session.
The package was also approved by the Democratic-controlled assembly.
“This bi-partisan legislation would ensure equal pay for equal work; help to
stop human trafficking; combat sexual harassment in the workplace; end
gender discrimination in employment, housing and credit decisions; make
reasonable work accommodations available for pregnant women; and provide
stronger protections for domestic violence victims,” said Golden.
“Rightfully, the New York State legislature put politics aside and made women’s rights, health and safety a top priority. I am confident that the Governor understands the importance of Women’s Equality Package and will quickly sign it into law.”
Cymbrowitz Bill To Save Swans Moves Forward
Sheepshead Bay Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, this week, saw a measure he re-introduced to save the mute swan – a staple wild animal in Sheepshead Bay – from a state-mandated death sentence pass the Environmental Conservation Committee, of which he is a member.
The legislation, which passed the Senate last week, would establish a moratorium on the Department of Environmental Conservation’s plan to declare Sheepshead Bay’s iconic bird a “prohibited invasive species” and eliminate the state’s entire population by 2025.
The bill also requires DEC to hold at least two public hearings and respond to all public comments before finalizing any management plan for mute swans. In addition, DEC would be required to prioritize non-lethal management techniques and include scientific evidence of projected and current environmental damage caused by the mute swan population.
Last year the bill passed both the Assembly and Senate but was vetoed by Governor Cuomo.
