A car fire broke out on the Manhattan-bound lanes of the Brooklyn Bridge shortly before 4PM on Sunday afternoon. It was brought under control quickly, and traffic resumed flowing within a half hour. See photos below.
Smoke from a car fire on the Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday afternoon
Most of us have watched as the once-ugly Port Authority sheds have been replaced by new trees, grass (sod, actually), landscaping and paths both large and small. You may have also noticed the tall light poles (described in this article in the Daily News), which have raised some concern in our neighborhood both in terms of illumination and in their impact to park views. Perhaps you have even seen some of these lit on occasion. Those occasions are part of a process of energizing the lights; they have to be put on at full intensity before burning into lower illumination. In addition, dimmers have not yet been installed. The BBPDC has assured us, however, that they will do a demo for the neighborhood once the dimmers are in place, and before the Park officially opens. This may take place the first week of January. You may also have most recently noticed a large white tent on the waterfront; this is to protect the playground surface, but should be down within a week.
And speaking of that, Pier 1 will be the first part of the Park to open; a “soft opening” is planned for the early part of next year. Somewhere in late January or February, the pathways and benches of part of Pier 1 will open. The lawns will remain closed to allow them to grow. At the same time, Empire Fulton-Ferry State Park will close for a one-year renovation. This renovation was funded by David and Jane Walentas (known most recently for the Dock Street project) as a means to install their carousel in a building designed by Jean Nouvel, a building that was not in the original plans for the Park. For those of you with long memories, in 1999 the community fought a riverside development by Walentas which included the carousel, a 250 room hotel designed by Jean Nouvel, a film multiplex and more. Indeed, that community opposition provided the impetus to finally build a park for the waterfront instead. (http://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/08/nyregion/developer-pursues-plans-for-complex-along-brooklyn-s-waterfront.html)
The future management of the Park is currently in discussion, as New York City has proposed to assume control of its administration. It will also fund the rest of the Park’s construction, with an up-front additional capital contribution of $55 million; it expects thereupon to take more control over the management of the park. New York State needs to agree to such an arrangement, however, which according to this article is far from a sure thing. Should the city take responsibility for the park, all the park areas will at last officially become permanent parkland or become the subject of a conservation easement, something we have urged since the General Project Plan was approved. A new governance structure would also be enacted.
Much of this was announced on December 7th at a public meeting with State Senator Daniel Squadron and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, as well as other city officials. News reports from that meeting stated that the housing developments that are to fund the rest of the park will likely be put on hold. It is unclear whether this refers until such time that the real estate market recovers or is a response to Senator Squadron’s continued opposition to housing in the Park. It should be noted, however, that although Senator Squadron opposes housing, he does not oppose the large hotel/condo which is to be built on Pier 1. We have asked him to push for a reduction in the size of the complex by at least eliminating the condo portion, but he has stated that it could be used as a conference center instead so as to finance the Park. We believe that if housing is to be reduced or eliminated, the reduction should be equitably distributed across the Park gateways. If you agree, please send a letter to:
Senator Squadron squadron@senate.state.ny.us;
Mayor Bloomberg www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html; and
Adrian Benepe www.nycgovparks.org/sub_ask…/ask_the_commissioner.html
RELATED ARTICLES:
http://www.nypost.com/p/attempted_brooklyn_bridge_park_leadership_mMb0GoPgWkQOu7yO29qATJ
http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/32/51/32_51_ac_janes_carousel_in_bridge_park.html
Update: We noticed this invitation today for a NYE party that goes until 5AM. If things get rowdy in the wee hours, call 311.
Since our last post, the Executive Committee of Community Board 2 voted unanimously to oppose the cabaret license application of One Front, fully supporting the recommendations of the Health, Environment and Social Services committee. This information was submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs. Since then, we have learned to our disappointment and surprise that the DCA has no public hearing process. Decisions by the Commissioner are made based on City Code. For those interested, the portion of the code that we have been told is relevant can be seen at the bottom of this post.
Thus, we believe that DCA may be obligated to grant a license based on the Administrative Code as it relates to zoning. This is where is becomes difficult for neighborhoods such as ours, as we are designated commercial/residential. In spite of the fact that this designation harkens back to 1960, and despite the fact that we are heavily residential at this stage, the official zoning remains the same.
Recognizing this, and responding to our community’s objections to the cabaret, our local politicians have written to the Commissioner of the DCA, Jonathan Mintz. We thank Assemblywoman Joan Millman, outgoing City Councilman David Yassky, and State Senator Daniel Squadron for their support, as well as the District Manager of CB2, Rob Perris, who has been most helpful through this process. In addition, with help from Borough President Marty Markowitz’s office, we are investigating how other commercial/residential neighborhoods, such as Tribeca and Soho, have kept cabarets from their neighborhoods. We believe that those neighborhoods have changed some of the wording within their zoning designation (a process which takes considerable time), but we will continue to research this. We may have to consider a zoning modification here as well.
In the interim, the Chairperson of Community Board 2 has written a second letter to Commissioner Mintz to emphasize that Fulton Ferry is substantially residential despite the zoning and that the DCA consider this. We have also recently learned that One Front St restaurant failed one of the standards listed in the code, so we have a temporary reprieve. You might consider writing directly to Commissioner Jonathan Mintz, http://www.nyc.gov/html/dca/html/contact/contact.shtml and cc Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The relevant Administrative Code:
The Administrative Code under which DCA must issue a license except for the reasons set forth in Administrative Code of the City of New York follows. The following (highlights and underlines added) is from Title 20, Chapter 2, Subchapter 20, Section 20-361:
20-361 Issuance and renewal of license. a. The commissioner may
refuse to issue or renew a license to an applicant only upon the
occurrence of any one or more of the following conditions:
1. the applicant, licensee, its officers, principals, directors and
stockholders owning more than ten percent of the outstanding stock of
the corporation have not submitted complete and accurate information
required by the department in connection with:
(a) an application for a license or renewal thereof;
(b) an application for the approval of a change of ownership;
(c) the furnishing of a record of convictions for offenses as provided
in paragraph five of this subdivision;
(d) the furnishing of financial information and records by the
applicant, licensee, its officers, principals, directors and
stockholders owning more than ten percent of the outstanding stock of
the corporation concerning the source of funds used or intended to be
used in the operation of the licensed business and the amount of total
funds each such individual has invested in the business;
2. the premises on or in which the licensed business is to be
conducted have not been certified as in compliance with the health,
fire, buildings, zoning and water, gas and electricity safety
requirements and standards established by the laws of the city and state
of New York or any other governmental authority having jurisdiction
thereof;
3. with respect to a new license application for the premises on or in
which the licensed business is to be conducted, there is no current
certificate of occupancy to operate a public dance hall, cabaret or
catering establishment;
4. the applicant, licensee, its officers, principals, directors and
stockholders have not complied with the regulations of the department
applicable thereto;
5. the applicant, licensee, its officers, principals, directors and
stockholders owning more than ten percent of the outstanding stock of
the corporation have been convicted of:
(a) any of the following offenses and there is a relationship between
the offense and the conduct of a public dance hall, cabaret or catering
establishment:
(i) an offense within article two hundred of the penal law relating to
bribery involving public servants;
(ii) a felony within article two hundred ten of the penal law relating
to perjury;
(iii) an offense within article two hundred thirty of the penal law
relating to prostitution offenses;
(iv) an offense within article two hundred forty-five of the penal law
relating to offenses against public sensibilities;
(v) an offense within section 260.20 of the penal law relating to
unlawfully dealing with a child;
(b) any other offense which is a felony under the laws of this state
or a crime committed in violation of the laws of any other jurisdiction
which if committed in this state would be a felony;
(c) any offense which is a misdemeanor involving the premises on or in
which the licensed business is to be conducted.
6. the applicant, licensee, its officers, principals, directors and
stockholders owning more than ten percent of the outstanding stock of
the corporation have suffered or permitted the premises on or in which
the licensed business is to be conducted, through improper or inadequate
maintenance and supervision, to be used for the commission of any of the
offenses set forth in paragraph five of this subdivision;
7. the applicant, its officers, principals, directors, stockholders
owning more than ten percent of the outstanding stock of the corporation
and employees thereof at the premises on which the licensed business is
to be conducted have at least three times been proven to be in violation
of the provisions of subchapter one of chapter five of this title
[The Consumer Protection Law]
of
this code or of any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(b) The commissioner shall not issue or renew a license if the
applicant, licensee, its officers, principals, directors and
stockholders owning more than ten percent of the outstanding stock of
the corporation have not paid, within the time permitted by law, any
fine, penalty or judgment duly imposed in connection with or arising
from the use, occupation or operation of the premises on which the
licensed business is to be conducted.
(e) Each applicant and licensee shall notify the department in writing
by registered mail, return receipt requested, within three business days
of receipt of notice of service of a summons for a violation relating to
the operation of the business licensed or to be licensed or to the
premises on or in which the business licensed or to be licensed is to be
conducted and of a conviction for any offense set forth in paragraph
five of subdivision a of this section occurring after the filing date of
the application for a license or a renewal thereof or occurring during
the term of the license.
(f) In the manner prescribed in rule three hundred eighteen of the
civil practice law and rules, each applicant or licensee shall designate
an agent, a substitute agent and a successor agent for receiving service
of process and communications from this department located within the
city of New York. Proof of such designation shall be filed with the
license application at the department.
Following a meeting of the Health, Environment and Social Services committee of Community Board 2 last Wednesday night, members voted 5-2, with 2 abstentions, against recommending a cabaret license be issued for the top floor of the One Front Street restaurant. Four residents of the community, including two current and one former member of the Board of the Fulton Ferry Landing Association, testified for denial of the license, while the President of the Fulton Ferry Business Association supported the applicant. The FFBA has members from all of the food establishments in the small Fulton Ferry neighborhood, plus the auto related businesses.
Along with the testimony given in person, the Committee reviewed emails received from other Fulton Ferry residents, plus a letter from the DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance, all of whom rejected the idea of a dance club operating until 4AM. As noted in our previous post, two events held last weekend at this location each resulted in loud guests milling about the streets in the wee hours of the morning, One resident claimed that “there has been a persistent noise problem generated by this establishment related to “dance parties”, both under the current management as well as with others over the years.” Another added that with a cabaret license, “patrons would arrive late at night, gather outside the club, make noise and deprive the local residents of the quiet enjoyment of their homes.” Several residents wrote or spoke at the hearing about how we support and patronize our local businesses, but in return we expect the proprietors to appreciate and respect the quality of life which the neighborhood values.
The vote now moves to the Executive Committee of CB2, which must make a decision by November 30th. It is also possible that instead, this will be put on the agenda for the monthly full Board meeting taking place this week. After that, the application — with recommendations from the Community Board — is sent to the Department of Consumer Affairs for a final decision. An update will be posted here after the end of November.
According to a small sign posted on the window of One Front Restaurant (previously Toro), the owners are seeking a cabaret license for their 314 person capacity establishment. A cabaret license is issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs, and is distinct from an on-premises liquor license in that it allows for patron dancing in connection with the selling of food and drink. Most such licenses are used for nightclubs; a catering establishment license (identical except with less restrictive rules and lower fees) is usually applied for by a space which is used for functions or events to which the public is not invited or admitted, such as weddings and the like.
With regard to such licenses, in 1989, the City tightened zoning restrictions as commercial zones became more gentrified. Except for grandfathered spaces, areas that were previously as of right, such as Tribeca, Soho and the Flatiron district, were thereupon judged to be off-limits to cabarets, as reported in a Village Voice article. So in the same vein Fulton Ferry, which along with DUMBO has become increasingly residential, should not be the place for a cabaret either.
In addition, over this last weekend, local Fulton Ferry residents complained about booming vibrations and shouting in the street from what appeared to be two all-night events at One Front. This continued until 4:30 in the morning.
The establishment of a cabaret (dance club) and the noise it will bring through the night is out of character for our small neighborhood. We work with and patronize our local restaurants, but we do expect them to be good neighbors.
If this concerns you, please make your opinions known on Wed, Nov 4th at the public presentation at Community Board 2: Numbers count, so please come.
WHEN: WED, NOV 4th, 6:30pm
WHERE: BROOKLYN HOSPITAL, NORTH PAVILION CONFERENCE ROOM
121 DEKALB AVE.
(this is close to a subway stop)
email: cb2k@nyc.rr.com ATTENTION: Mr John Dew, Chairman, Mr. Robert Perris, District Manager
Just when you thought Old Fulton was back to normal, the digging began again. Here’s the scoop on what’s going on. The City is in the process of installing new water mains, valves and hydrants. These will run on Water from Old Fulton to Main St. In addition, five new catch basins to prevent street flooding are being installed on various parts of Old Fulton (for those of you who wondered about those large concrete blocks sitting on various parts of the street, those are the basins).
FFLA and our residents have been interacting frequently with DDC representatives, and have had to fight to ensure that the City install vibration monitors in our oldest and most fragile buildings. We want to acknowledge the assistance of Councilman Yassky’s office in this endeavor.
Yet to come in our neighborhood is the installation of a 36″trunk water main, and a 18″ sanitary sewer. Translation: more digging, road repair, dust and noise. Following that work,in the spring, the Department of Design and Construction will install a new, pigmented sidewalk, granite pavement crosswalks, and curbs on behalf of Brooklyn Bridge Park. That’s when further construction on the Park, conducted by Skanska on behalf of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corp, takes over. And we haven’t touched on the third phase, the work on the Brooklyn Bridge. More to follow.
NOTE: If you have comments, concerns, questions, are upset about the new fire hydrant blocking the limited residential parking in our neighborhood, or want to know more about the next phase, please come to the public meeting. Details below.
WHAT: PUBLIC MEETING, TRI-CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
WHEN: TUESDAY, SEPT 22ND. 630 PM
WHERE: BOROUGH HALL, COURTROOM 209 JORALEMON STREET
Haven’t made up your mind yet on who you support for City Council of our district? On September 10, just five days prior to the City Primary, we are co-sponsoring a candidate forum in conjunction with the Boerum Hill Association, Brooklyn Heights Association, DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance and the Historic District Council.
Participating candidates will be: Ken Baer, Doug Biviano, Ken Diamondstone, Steve Levin, Joanne Simon, and Evan Thies. (Isaac Abraham will be not be attending due to a prior commitment). Find out what each will do to represent us on: education/schooling, development, preservation, the Park, the City deficit, traffic and quality of life issues that matter in this district.
WHEN: THURSDAY, SEPT 10th 7pm–9pm
WHERE: ST FRANCIS COLLEGE FOUNDERS HALL
180 REMSEN STREET
MODERATOR: Grace Rahl, NY1
Multiple construction projects are scheduled to begin in two weeks in the Fulton Ferry neighborhood in Brooklyn. The first two projects, the reconstruction of water and sewer mains and the construction of Brooklyn Bridge Park Plaza, will begin on July 7th. The repainting of the Brooklyn Bridge, along with the rehabilitation of approaches and ramps, will not start until the end of the year.
The water and sewer project will be done in two phases that total two years in length. Phase 1, which affects Fulton Ferry the most, includes Water Street between Furman and Dock Streets, and Old Fulton Street between Front and Furman Streets. This phase will last 6-8 months. Phase 2 involves Water Street between Dock and Adams, and Washington Street between Plymouth and York Stteets.
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation is piggybacking their construction of Bridge Plaza with the Department of Design and Construction water/sewer project. In order to create a more pedestrian-friendly flow from the southern part of Brooklyn Bridge Park to the interbridge area, the wide part of Water Street, roughly between Old Fulton Street and the Boiler House (chimney), will be narrowed by 50 percent. The remaining street area will be redone with cobblestones and granite slab pavement crosswalks. In addition, the cul-de-sac will have new pigmented sidewalk installed.
During Phase 1, the Water Street section will be closed to vehicular traffic. The B25 bus will be rerouted. The work will generally be done between 7AM and 6PM, but may end sooner, and will end by 3PM along Old Fulton. There may be water service interruptions, with notification in advance, but no sooner than the afternoon the day before. Water may be turned off anywhere from one hour to up to 8-10 hour periods but will be fully restored at the end of the construction day. Noise will be minimized by the use of sound blankets and other means of attenuating the sound of powersaws, jackhammers, trucks, etc. Dust will be controlled by water sprayed on site.
Additional information is available in the following 2 pdfs from the DDC:
Page 1
Page 2
The Fulton Ferry Landing Association would like to schedule a public meeting here next week with a representative of the DDC available to answer questions, if there is enough interest. Please send an email to fultonferry@gmail.com if you think you might attend such a meeting.
New York City Councilman Eric Gioia from Queens, who grilled the VP/Counsel from the School Construction Authority (SCA) at the Council public hearing last week (see our previous story), has announced that he is coming to DUMBO Saturday May 30th (tomorrow) to give a press conference regarding the questionable behavior and dealings between the Department of Education/SCA and the developer of the Dock Street project (Two Trees Management). Councilman David Yassky will also be in attendance, as will Kristian Roebling, great, great-grandson of Washington and Emily Roebling, builders of the iconic Bridge.
If you are a parent interested in your children attending public middle school in the neighborhood, we urge you to attend to hear more about this issue. If you oppose the over-sized Dock Street project, showing up to listen will drive the point home to City Council that we do not support backroom deals, especially when a national icon is at stake. The Land Use committee votes June 2nd, so your attendance could make a difference.
Saturday, May 30th, 2009
11:30 am, Brooklyn Bridge Park at Main and Plymouth Streets. Please come!
For an additional background story about the FOIL request that revealed the improprieties, please see this post at Dumbonyc.
For more information on the campaign donations to Melinda Katz and Christine Quinn by Two Trees and their associates, see this NY Times article from May 24th.
In case there are readers who have been away over the holiday and missed the news, we’ll catch you up here. The City Council hearing in front of the Zoning and Franchises sub-committee took place on May 21st, and there were plenty of early fireworks.
Vice President and Counsel of the School Construction Authority Ross Holden was grilled by several councilpersons about the contents of the internal emails that were revealed by a FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) request. Councilman Eric Gioia of Queens was particularly incensed by this passage between SCA Executive Director Lorraine Grillo and Kendrick Ou, Director, Real Estate Services: “Now I know that if we don’t do the Walentas project that we don’t really want to do anything else over there but I think we have to follow up on this just so we can say that the Walentas project is such a good deal.” Holden was also unable to answer questions about the cost of the proposed school, and how much the city would save by siting the school as part of this development project. At one point, Jed Walentas started to stand up to answer the question, and Two Trees attorney Ken Fisher practically shoved him back in his seat.
Ken Burns was in attendance, but due to the length of time spent with the preliminary speakers, was unable to stay long enough to read his testimony. A portion was read for him later on in the afternoon. You can view his interview on Morning Joe on MSNBC here. He talks about Dock Street and the Bridge starting around the 4:25 mark.
There is more coverage at the Brooklyn Paper, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, the Brooklyn Heights Blog, and Dumbonyc. Additionally, Councilman Gioia will be hosting a press conference on Saturday May 30th, 11:30 AM, at Brooklyn Bridge Park (Main Street and Plymouth). Kristian Roebling, the great, great-grandson of Brooklyn Bridge builders Washington and Emily Roebling, will also be there. More on this in a later post.
The Land Use Committee is expected to vote on the project next week, followed by the full Council on June 10th.
