Adams to Host Hearing on Industry City Rezoning
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams is hosting a hearing on the Industry City rezoning proposal next week.
Established in 2013 on the long-abandoned Sunset Park waterfront, Industry City is the city’s largest privately-owned industrial complex comprising 16-buildings. It currently houses hundreds of businesses including in light manufacturing, retail, technology and events employing more than 7,500 people and has invested more than $80 million on Brooklyn-based businesses.
In March 2015, the owners put in an application to change part of the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Business Zone to expand to accommodate up to 900,000 square feet of retail space, build two hotels totaling 275,000 square feet, use 600,000 square feet for academic classrooms, and develop up to 1.3 million square feet of additional commercial space.
This is the Borough President’s only hearing on Industry City. As such, it is important that everyone attend to inform his opinion on the proposal. Adams will offer his final recommendation based on hearing testimony and the recommendation of Community Board 7.
Attend the hearing at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14, at Brooklyn Borough Hall’s Courtroom and Community Room, 209 Joralemon Street in Downtown Brooklyn. If you cannot attend, you may submit written testimony to: askeric@brooklynbp.nyc.gov
Carroll Hosts Grant Information Session
Assemblymember Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Borough Park, Victorian Flatbush, Ditmas Park, Midwood) is partnering with the Citizens Committee for New York City to promote a funding opportunity for grassroots
organizations working to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
Citizens Committee’s Neighborhood Grants program offers up to $3,000 for community-improvement projects led by volunteer groups such as block and tenant associations, PTAs, community gardens, groups working with youth or seniors, cultural organizations and more. Unlike most grant programs, groups do not have to be incorporated or have 501(c)(3) status to be eligible for a grant!
If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, attend the grant information session at 6 p.m., today, Monday, Jan. 6, at Cortelyou Road Library, I305 Cortelyou Rd, in Kensington. Find out more about the grant and application here.
DA Gonzalez and BP Adams to Call for Stronger Hit-and-Run Laws
Brooklyn Borough President Adams, District Attorney Gonzalez, and Transportation Alternatives are making an announcement today in response to a hit-and-run in Canarsie.
A hit-and-run occurred on Friday at Flatlands Avenue and East 78th Street. The incident took the life of a 70-year-old woman, Maria Lorente, a former cafeteria worker at South Shore High School in Canarsie. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez will join with advocates this afternoon to call for Albany to strengthen laws against hit-and-run drivers.
Join the announcement at 2 p.m., today, Monday, Jan. 6, at Brooklyn Borough Hall Rotunda, 209 Joralemon Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
Cuomo to Launch New Statewide Office of Financial Inclusion and Empowerment
Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled the 21st proposal of his 2020 State of the State agenda – expanding access to safe and affordable financial services. As part of this proposal, Cuomo will propose the creation of the Excelsior Banking Network, which will increase access to safe, affordable bank accounts and small-dollar loans in underserved low-income communities across the State. He will also propose the creation of a statewide Office of Financial Inclusion and Empowerment to meet the financial services needs of low- and middle-income New Yorkers.
“We’ve made significant strides expanding access to banking services for low-income New Yorkers, but too many people still live in banking deserts,” Cuomo said. “As a result, these New Yorkers often turn to costly check-cashing services or take out illegal predatory payday loans because they can’t access affordable small business loans at community banks. These sweeping proposals will provide New Yorkers with the services they need to build their credit, improve financial literacy and take charge of their economic futures – helping build a fairer and stronger New York.”
Cuomo will propose creating the Excelsior Banking Network to provide $25 million in new seed funding over five years for New York’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund – local financial service providers with locations throughout New York State, and often are the sole provider of banking and other financial services in low-income communities that are not served by traditional banks and financial institutions.
Cuomo will also propose the creation of a statewide Office of Financial Inclusion and Empowerment to meet the financial services needs of low- and middle-income New Yorkers across the state. There is currently no single-stop state resource where New Yorkers anywhere in the state can find help for their financial access and empowerment needs. The Office will maintain a centralized list of financial services counseling providers – across housing, student loan, debt and general financial literacy – throughout the State and coordinate state and local services aimed at expanding access to credit and enhancing financial empowerment. The Office will also incubate new programs to expand access to safe and affordable banking services, credit and financial education; coordinate public-private partnerships; and foster provision of high-quality, low-cost financial products statewide.
