COLUMN: Thank God for Nydia Velazquez (and Dan), by George Fiala

There may not have ever been a Red Hook Star-Revue were it not for the Buttermilk Channel. Not the body of water next to what has become known as the Brooklyn Marine Terminal, but a restaurant that opened up on Court and Huntington streets, not that far from Red Hook.

I had two offices on that block, where I ran my mailing business, Select Mail. I could afford the rents for two storefronts because in those days not that many people shopped on the south end of Court Street. But, like Red Hook Tavern, and before that, Pok Pok, the Channel drew crowds of people from all over the city.

My landlord on that side of the street saw the crowds and kept raising the rent, until it became prudent for me to find another space. I moved both offices to 101 Union Street, which gave me for the first time the luxury of a lot of space in one place.

I added two things to the mailing business. One was this paper. I also built a stage and a cafe, creating kind of a private club, which became the spot of a weekly music jam.

The jam kept growing, attracting local musicians and becoming a scene where bands were formed and friendships made. But the loud music we made became a problem, especially as new buildings were built bringing outsiders into what had been a working class, mixed use neighborhood.

I started spending a lot of time in court paying noise violation fines, and finally gave it all up and moved to the other end of Van Brunt, taking the jams to Rocky Sullivan’s bar (and now to Docky’s).

This past month there have been public hearings where people have been giving testimony regarding the converting of much of our industrial waterfront to a luxury apartment complex, supposedly to refurbish the Red Hook Container Terminal.

I went to one in person, saw another online, watching concerned citizens and community leaders and some local politicians questioning many aspects of the plan, including transportation and environmenatl problems.

Then, all of a sudden, in the middle of the December 1 public testimony which I saw from my office courtesy of somebody’s webcam, I was surprised and delighted to see Dan Wiley come up to the mike.

Many will know Dan from his long and continuing service as community liaison for Congressmember Nydia Velazquez, who was our favorite member of Congress until she was redistricted away from us last year. Nydia, who will be retiring at the end of next year, has done tremendous things for so many Red Hookers—from bringing Federal money to the Red Hook Houses and numerouse non-profits, to helping small businesses recover after Sandy, and keeping the maritime industry in the neighborhood. Unlike many local politicians who show up in the neighborhood for ribbon cuttings and other photo-ops, Nydia would attend and often sponsor local meetings about things of importance, and do her best sure that the right things were done for her constituents.

Anyway, there stood Dan at the mike reading a statement from his boss. He stgarted by affirming why a working port is so necessary at this location. He went on to question why the current plan was rushed, without the usual private and public planning and discussion, and why local luxury condos should the means to bankroll a working waterfront that is in the best interest of the whole city.

But then Wiley said something that I hadn’t heard before, but which hit me like a thud. Like why didn’t I think of that, or anybody else. It was exactly what I went through on Union Street. He said:

“Dense housing in the marine terminal can signal its demise. Residents and container cranes do not mix, except where those cranes are painted fancy colors and fozen like dinasaurs on display. Port operations are a 24/7 business, and when it comes to “higher and better use,” residents inevitably win out when it comes to demands for quiet. Nuisance complaints against a working waterfront with its myriad beeps and activity can stifle operations.”

Once again, Nydia Velazquez, speaking truth to power.