Treyger, Cymbrowitz Hail Lady Moody House Landmarking
City Council Member Mark Treyger (Coney Island, Gravesend) and Assembly Member Steve Cymbrowitz (Coney Island, Gravesend) yesterday lauded the City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission decision designating Gravesend’s Lady Moody – Van Sicklen House as a landmark.
The only extant 18th century farmhouse of stone construction in Brooklyn, the Lady Moody House at 27 Gravesend Neck Road had languished on the Landmarks Preservation Commission backlog for a half century but received the designation at an LPC hearing yesterday. The designation means that the house cannot be altered or demolished without the permission of the LPC.
“Today, after nearly half a century of delay, the Landmarks Preservation Commission has finally acted to protect a New York treasure, the Lady Moody – Van Sicklen House. I applaud the landmark designation decision, and am proud to have advocated on its behalf. I have written letters, and I have testified before the LPC, and am proud to see that they have acted in the interest of protecting Southern Brooklyn’s culture, heritage, history, and tradition,” said Treyger.
Cymbrowitz noted how the the Lady Moody House was among the 30 out of 95 backlogged properties in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island that was deemed worthy of an LPC vote.
The house was built on a portion of the original house lot of Lady Deborah Moody, who founded Gravesend in the 1640s. An Anabaptist (forerunners of Quakers), Lady Moody first left England and then was forced out of Massachusetts because of her religious beliefs.
“We can all breathe a sigh of relief,” said Cymbrowitz. “In a community where precious few artifacts remain from our long history, this structure reminds us all of a remarkable woman named Lady Deborah Moody who started it all.”
Adams Recommends Approval Of Williamsburg Property With Changes
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams on Friday recommended to approve with conditions an application submitted by 19 Kent Development LLC for a special permit to develop 25 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg into a nine-story, 383,040 square-foot office building with space available for light manufacturing.
Adams’ recommendation came as part of the City’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) in a project that will allow entrepreneurs to open businesses in close proximity to workers in north Brooklyn.
Adams requested several modifications to the application to support long-term industrial uses at the site, including initial and annual reporting requirements on the amount of dedicated space as well as restrictions intended to prevent the displacement of manufacturing space by other forms of commercial activity.
“As the Brooklyn brand is recognized and celebrated around the globe, the demand for products made by artisans and craft manufacturers in our borough has dramatically increased, necessitating action to assure adequate supply of production space,” said Adams.
“Our current shortage of manufacturing facilities limits the ability of aspiring entrepreneurs to enter the market with these desirable — and highly-profitable — products. The proposal for 25 Kent Avenue has enormous potential to facilitate the creation of quality blue-collar and high-tech jobs that are accessible to the residents of Greenpoint and Williamsburg, particularly if the proposed modifications to protect long-term industrial uses at the site are included, assured, and not diluted.”
The project now goes before the City Planning Commission (CPC) today.
Malliotakis Supports Bill Increasing Protections From Sex Offenders
Bay Ridge/Staten Island Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis and Republican colleagues in the assembly yesterday advocated for legislation to increase protections against sex offenders in New York State and ensure that Level 1 sex offenders scheduled to be removed from registry this year, remain on.
The bill, A.8503, introduced by members of the Minority Conference, would extend the time Level 1 sex offenders are required to remain on the sex offender registry from twenty to thirty years. Some of those who have already been dropped from the registry committed heinous crimes and pled down to Level 1 with a plea deal.
According to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DSJS), there are currently 14,680 Level 1 sex offenders in the state. This bill would allow for certain Level 1 sex offenders to apply for removal from the sex offender registry, if they can prove by clear and convincing evidence that they are no longer a threat to public safety.
“It is unsettling to know that since the beginning of the year, over 1,300 Level 1 sex offenders have fallen off the registry because state law only requires that they remain on the registry for 20 years. Those who have knowingly caused heinous sexual abuse of others, including infants, should not be allowed to disappear from the registry and blend in with society,” said Malliotakis.
Deutsch Says Watch The Muni-Meters
Sheepshead Bay City Council Member Chaim Deutsch yesterday put out the word to constituents to notify his office or the Department of Transportation when they encounter malfunctioning muni-meters.
“It can be extremely frustrating when a muni-meter is totally out of order or it does not accept coins or credit cards. I have witnessed individuals just walking away and not calling 311, as that may be more of a hassle during a busy day. If malfunctioning muni-meters are not reported they will remain inoperable. However, it is important to make sure that a broken muni-meter is reported to the Department of Transportation, so that it can immediately be repaired,” said Deutsch.
“If you live in my district, you can easily contact my office at 718-368-9176, email at cdeutsch@council.nyc.gov, or follow the link below to report a broken muni-meter. Please provide me with a meter number and location (address in front of or opposite of) and I will pass it along to the DOT.”
To report a broken meter to 311 online, visit: http://www1.nyc.gov/311/.
Central Brooklyn Lawmakers Hold Tenants Rights Forum
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichottte, State Senator Kevin Parker, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, and Councilmember Jumaane D. Williams along with the City of New York Department of Housing, Preservation, and Development (HPD), in partnership with the Flatbush Tenant Coalition, are holding a tenants forum tomorrow night.
Among the issues and ideas being presented include how to start or strengthen a tenant association, getting information on the rights of tenants in rent regulated apartments, housing discrimination, harassment, rent protection for seniors and the disabled, new HPD housing lotteries and navigating housing court.
The forum is slated for between 6:30-8 p.m., tomorrow night at St. Stephen’s Church, 2806 Newkirk Avenue (at East 28th Street). Train: Take the 2 or 5 train Newkirk Avenue Station.
Cumbo Birthday Bash & Fundraiser Blowout
Popular Fort Greene/Clinton Hill City Council Member Laurie Cumbo is holding a combination birthday party/fundraiser this weekend that is sure to be a springtime bash to remember.
The party is slated for between 8 p.m. and 12 midnight, this Saturday, April 16 at Berg’n, 899 Bergen Street. Space is limited RSVP required. Please click HERE to RSVP! Please call Abbey at 212-239-7323 should you have any questions at all.
