North Bklyn Lawmakers, Civic Groups Demand Say in LICH
Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, City Council Members Brad Lander and Stephen Levin, Brooklyn Community Board 6, and the Cobble Hill Association issued the following statement Friday regarding the future of the Long Island College Hospital (LICH) Site:
“Local elected officials, Community Board 6, and the Cobble Hill Association are working together to involve the community in the future of the Long Island College Hospital (LICH) site.
“Fortis Property Group, LLC was selected to purchase the LICH campus through an RFP process managed by the State University of New York, after it decided to close LICH. This process was staunchly opposed by elected officials and community organizations.
“To date, Fortis has indicated that two options exist for the redevelopment of the core LICH site: (a) an “as-of-right” option, which does not require discretionary public approvals, which would include about 400 market-rate units, and (b) a rezoning or “ULURP” option, which would roughly double the number of residential units and include affordable housing units, space for a public school, increased park space and more small retail opportunities. A rezoning would require review by the Community Board, Borough President, and City Planning Commission, and approval by the City Council.
“Both of the proposed options present development that is dramatically out-of-scale with the adjacent Cobble Hill Historic District, which has a height limit of 50 feet (in each case, the tallest building Fortis proposes would be over 40 stories). In either scenario, NYU Langone will also build an approximately 108,000 sq. ft. health center at the corner of Atlantic and Hicks.
“We will continue to work together to ensure all of the community’s options are explored. This working group will help organize public dialogue about the options. It is not a decision-making body, and will not recommend that Fortis pursue a particular option. Rather it will organize forums where residents, businesses, and stakeholders (including the Brooklyn Heights Association and Atlantic Avenue BID, both of whom represent areas adjacent to the LICH site) can learn more about the various options, weigh in on Fortis’ potential development options, propose alternatives, and provide community feedback. All stakeholders (elected officials, the community board, community organizations, individuals, etc.) will ultimately make their own decisions about Fortis’ proposals.
“Over the next 2-3 months, the working group will organize several open, public meetings where Fortis will present their proposals and consider feedback, as well as several smaller meetings with stakeholders to drill-down on specific issues including: urban design, parks/open space, retail/commercial, the health care facility, the potential public school, potential affordable housing, and traffic/parking/transit and other infrastructure concerns.
“A public meeting will take place the evening of Thursday August 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Brooklyn Montessori School at 185 Court Street, at Bergen Street, in Cobble Hill. The meeting will include a brief presentation of the options put forth by Fortis, followed by opportunities for community feedback and discussion. All are welcome to attend.”
Clarke Supports GMO Labeling
Flatbush Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Friday, released the following statement on H.R. 1599, “The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act,” (often referred to as the “Dark Act”), which would prohibit the mandatory labeling of foods that contain genetically modified organisms.
This bill would also preempt states from requiring foods containing genetically modified organisms from being labeled.
“Every family – at every level of income and wealth – has the right to obtain accurate, scientifically-verifiable information about the actual contents of their food. I am deeply concerned by the false assumption that low-income families are not interested in knowing whether their food contains genetically modified organisms. H.R. 1599, the Dark Act, would effectively undermine efforts that would allow Americans the right to know the contents of their food,” said Clarke.
“Americans deserve to know what their food contains, so that they can make an informed decision about what they want to put in their bodies,” she added.
Clarke co-sponsored H.R.913, the “Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act,” which would require the labeling of products that contain genetically modified organisms.
Brooklyn Young Republicans Canvas For Faulkner
Pictured are from right Former Brooklyn Young Republican President President Glenn Nocera, current Brooklyn Young Republican Club President Brandon Washington, Board Member Raimondo Ranalletta and former Gubernatorial Candidate Zephyr Teachout, who the three ran into while canvassing for NYC Republican Mayoral Candidate Michel Faulkner in Bay Ridge on Friday.
The three GOP members met in front of Republican Senator Marty Golden’s office and went door to door and did free lance canvassing along 5th Avenue.
The canvassing was part of Brooklyn Independent Media bringing the political maps to life, and they wanted to see what Republicans were up to in Brooklyn. The name of the show is “On The Grid.”
Adams Push 4 Peace & Prospect Park Summer Movie Series
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, yesterday, along with Hot 97’s award-winning show “Street Soldiers with Lisa Evers” hosted hip-hop artists, celebrities, youth groups, local leaders, and hundreds of community youth for their second annual Push 4 Peace town hall at Brooklyn Borough Hall.
The event featured a special panel of guests, including Adams, with the focus on the theme of “Gangs, Guns & Broken Lives: Moving Beyond the Violence” along with live questions and comments from the audience.
Adams and others focused on youth engagement and positive solutions to community violence in their remarks.
Adams also last week kicked off “A Summer Movie Under the Stars”, a family-friendly film series he is presenting at Long Meadow North in Prospect Park, as hundreds of young Brooklynites and their parents gathered to enjoy the classic feature “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial”.
The run will continue for the next three Wednesdays, with entertainment beginning at 7:00 p.m. and the movie starting shortly after sunset. Adams highlighted the importance of bringing the borough together for positive community-building activities, as well as seizing the opportunity to educate audiences on important issues like financial education and tenant harassment, which he is doing through several short videos preceding the movie screenings.
“You can’t beat sitting with family and friends on a picnic blanket in the park to enjoy a cool flick on a warm summer evening in Brooklyn,” said Adams. “I am excited to see Brooklynites both young and young at heart kick back and relax for ‘A Summer Movie Under the Stars’. It is equally valuable that we can use this fun occasion to introduce valuable tips and information to our neighbors that can build a better quality of life for One Brooklyn. I thank our sponsors for making this film series possible, showcasing their commitment to supporting our communities.”
The lead sponsor of Adams’ “A Summer Movie Under the Stars” is Broadway Stages, with additional sponsorship provided by car2go, NYC & Company Foundation, and Prospect Park Alliance.
This Wednesday, July 29, moviegoers will enjoy “Where the Wild Things Are”, a film adaptation of the classic children’s book by Brooklyn-born writer Maurice Sendak. Wednesday, August 5 will feature “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1”, the most recent entry in the blockbuster series. Finally, the Oscar-winning animated musical “Happy Feet” will play on Wednesday, August 12.
Those seeking more information can contact Brooklyn Borough Hall by calling (718) 802-3777 or e-mailing programs@brooklynbp.nyc.gov.
Donovan Votes Against Cutting Off Local Police Funding
Southern Brooklyn Congressman Dan Donovan and Long Island Congressman, last week, issues the following joint statement after voting “No” against HR 3009, a federal bill to take funding away from state and local police departments who have certain community policing and community trust policies regarding immigrants.
“Sanctuary city policies are simply wrong and they undermine the rule of law. Sadly, today’s legislation only makes a bad situation worse by cutting off funds to the police officers who put their lives at risk to protect all of us. This legislation is fatally misguided, putting police officers and our constituents–including victims of domestic violence–at risk for the failed policies of City Hall. That is why we voted NO.”
