In July, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that there is a proposal on the table for how to clean up a chunk of Public Place, the infamous Gowanus site that used to house a manufactured gas plant. The site, under which there is a coal tar plume reaching about 150 feet deep, has been divided […]

The four objectives outlined by Mayor Adams for revisioning the BQE Corridor – Urgency & Resiliency, Equity, Fiscal Responsibility and Stakeholder Involvement – are noble goals that have been met with universal approval. The call for a “transformative solution” and the recognition that this is a once in lifetime opportunity to address the problems of what may be the worst […]

“More affordable housing in New York City!” is a universal rallying cry and political platform. You could almost imagine there’s consensus behind the words, a shared vision of what constitutes “affordable housing” and how to bring more of it into existence. But you’d be wrong. Due to the Charter Revision Commission appointed by Mayor Adams last December, there will be […]

Do you ever wonder where to find information online about how to start a block association, or particular social services in your neighborhood? Or maybe you’re the owner of a local bar, applying for a liquor license, and need direction on how to do so? Often, the local community board has crucial information on how to pursue all of the […]

“More affordable housing in New York City!” is a universal rallying cry and political platform. You could almost imagine there’s consensus behind the words, a shared vision of what constitutes “affordable housing” and how to bring more of it into existence. But you’d be wrong. Due to the Charter Revision Commission appointed by Mayor Adams last December, there will be […]

On July 24, the vote on the Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) was postponed again, for the fifth time. This time was somewhat different from last, as it was initiated by outspoken no-voters on the BMT Task Force, to allow for more time to come up with a viable plan for the site. Nevertheless, for many community members this postponement only […]

Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) delivered the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, at a community rally in Red Hook in support of the Brooklyn container port: “Thank you for inviting me here today. As many of you know, I have advocated for the Port of New York and New Jersey for more than forty years. For many of those years, […]

Robert Moses’ legacy is evident across New York City. The “power broker” left his fingerprints on virtually every kind of public infrastructure that exists in the city today: parks, bridges, public housing developments—and yes, highways. That includes the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, or BQE, and particularly the triple cantilever that forms the highway’s bend around Brooklyn Heights. Opened in 1954, the now […]

Last May the NYC Economic Development Corporation, backed by Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul, gave Red Hook a death knell. They fully expected the community to remain quiescent while they pushed through their plan to add a large number of thirty, forty and even fifty story high rise buildings, mostly filled with luxury condos, along the waterfront—from Atlantic Avenue all […]

At the beginning of July, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced that there is a proposal on the table for how to clean up a chunk of Public Place, the infamous Gowanus site that used to house a manufactured gas plant. The site, under which there is a coal tar plume reaching about 150 feet deep, has […]

At 9:15 pm on Wednesday, July 16,  the evening before the  Brooklyn Marine Terminal Task Force was to vote on the future of the EDC Vision Plan for the Red Hook and CWD waterfront, members received the following e-mail from Congressman Dan Goldman’s office. Goldman is the leader of the Task Force. Hi everyone, Senate Republicans are currently working to […]

As I write this, I’m listening to the news talking about the “big, beautiful bill.” That is our legislature trying to put into law all the things that Donald Trump wants to do but can’t without the cooperation of the US Congress. A certain amount of votes are needed by the Republicans. There is all kind of horse trading going […]

Dear Cobble Hill Association Board, I hope you are well. I write in response to your June 24th newsletter regarding the Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) Vision Plan vote. For over a year now, I have been closely engaged in the Brooklyn Marine Terminal process. After speaking with two of CHA’s former Presidents, I felt compelled to share my perspective with you. […]