The Eckford Street Cat Colony. Photo by Shane Gill
Over a year and a half ago, Greenpoint resident Shane Gill began feeding a colony of feral cats on Eckford Street. The Cats had congregated at a construction site there, which lay dormant due to a stop work order. Now, construction is set to begin again, and the cats’ displacement is eminent. Gill reached out to the Greenpoint community for advice about how to help relocate his feline fellows, and Greenpoint residents responded with overwhelming support for our neighborhood cats. Continue reading →
While many Greenpointers find it difficult to cheer constant “luxury” real estate development in the neighborhood, the situation may yield one perk: the housing lottery. The newest spot with apts on offer is 977 Manhattan Avenue, between India and Huron. The entire 14-unit building is going for a cool $14.25 Million, but New Yorkers earning 60% of the area median income can apply for 3 1-bedroom apartments, each asking $1,020/month, including utilities.
The environmentally conscious among us might be excited to know that the building is Green Certified, and sports energy-efficient elements, including solar panels. Other perks include a bike room, central air, and in-ceiling speakers. Continue reading →
Greenpoint residents have long been concerned about the open entrances to Greenpoint Playground at Dupont and Franklin Streets. John Whiteman, of Arete Living Arts Foundation, explained, “The playground has two large entrances with no gates. The main entrance leads right out onto a busy roadway. It is also beside a heavy construction site so there are lots of large vehicles coming through. Many times I have seen small children run through the gate and out toward the streets while horrified parents run after them.”
He shared his concern with Mayor de Blasio, Brooklyn Councilman Stephen Levin, and the Parks Department. The City has headed his cry. The Parks Department began discussing the project with local Greenpointers last fall, and installed gates at the end of March. Continue reading →
When Mayor de Blasio unveiled his plan for the Brooklyn-Queens Connector (BQX) in February 2016, he projected that the 16-mile streetcar route would pay for itself through increased property tax revenue garnered from neighborhoods along the route, leading opponents to dub the project “the Gentrification Express.” Now, it seems the BQX will need federal funds to meet its $2.5 Billion budget.
Without the funds, the BQX may not go forward. This is not the first setback for the project. As of January, it has missed its fourth deadline to produce a feasibility study. Right now, there is no stated date for when the city might see that study.
While this might lead casual observers to call the BQX simply unfeasible, the mayor is optimistic about the project, telling WNYC that he feels Chuck Schumer will be able to use his clout in the senate to get money earmarked for the BQX. Continue reading →
On March 19th, the city will close the Track and Field at McCarren Park for a year. The field and quarter-mile running track on Lorimer Street between Driggs and Bayard will be getting a facelift thanks to a 4 million dollar overhaul funded by the mayor’s office. During the year-long closure, the parks department will lay new turf, and a new rubber track, at the complex.Additionally, the department will install new bleachers, planters and fitness equipment around the track. The rest of the park will remain open while the track and field overhaul is in progress. Continue reading →
Greenpointers have been watching the changing East River Waterfront. A community development meeting on Wednesday allowed residents to hear from developers, and voice their concerns about on-going construction projects in North Brooklyn. While the luxury towers seem to leave a lot of Greenpointers out in the cold, this week The Brooklyn Eagle toured Level BK, in Williamsburg, offering a look inside.
Transmitter Park is one of the great gems of the Greenpoint waterfront, but the oasis has turned terrifying for pet owners. A shaggy, unleashed, black dog has brutally attacked several other dogs in the park without cause or warning. Continue reading →
New York City Council Member Stephen Levin is hosting a North Greenpoint Development meeting at the Polish Slavic Center (176 Java Street) on Wednesday, 11/8 at 6:30, where community members can engage with local developers around how new construction in the neighborhood will impact Greenpoint.
The Greenpoint Library (107 Norman Ave) is closing for reconstruction at the end of the day on Friday, June 30. With $5 million in funds from the GCEF and more than $6 million from the Brooklyn Public Library, a larger, more modern, and truly green Greenpoint Library and Environmental Education Center is coming, along with expanded programs and activities. Construction is expected to be complete at the end of 2018. The original Greenpoint Library was constructed in 1906 and only replaced once in the 70’s due to deterioration. Continue reading →
Another skyscraper is rising along the Greenpoint waterfront, slated for completion in 2018. The area is quickly being transformed into a cordon of gleaming skyscrapers. Some people have jokingly started calling our area “Dubai” in reference to North Brooklyn’s huge skyscrapers.
Developer Andru Coren’s application to build a 12 story 60-unit residential tower at 29 Clay Street was approved by the city. The building will contain 48,000 square feet and an underground garage for parking. The tower will have a single apartment on the first floor, seven on the second and eight each on the third and fourth floors. There will be five apartments each of the second through tenth floors with two on the 11th and a single penthouse apartment on the 12th floor. Continue reading →
