Following a brief winter break, Community Board 2, covering the neighborhoods of Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and Brooklyn Heights, returned Wednesday night for its first monthly meeting of 2014 at Brooklyn Borough Hall.
The monthly meeting— held the second Wednesday of every month at 6:00pm— marked the swearing-in of the board's new officers by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
CB 2's newly elected officers are:
- Shirley A. McRae, Chairperson
- Dorothea Thompson-Manning, Co-Chair
- Lenny Singletary, 2nd Vice-Chair
- Theresa Ward, Secretary
Councilman Stephen Levin, representing Brooklyn Heights, addressed participants. He lauded the work and legislative visions of Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo (D-35) and the newly elected Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. He also added, he was enthusiastic about working with the new mayor, Bill de Blasio, and emphasized the progressive values that the three are bringing.
"We are going to work with the mayor in developing mandatory inclusionary housing in this district," said Levin. " And I also want to acknowledge our new borough president Eric Adams. I've known him for a number of years, and you couldn't ask for a more dedicated and excellent representative for all of Brooklyn. It's going to be an exciting year."
CB 2 District Manager Robert Perris gave a brief report:
- The Parks Committee will meet on Monday, January 13, and provide an update on the open space renderings
- The Land Use Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 15, to discuss a small number of LPC applications- one in particular will be a special permit for 470 Vanderbilt, the parking lot on Fulton Street, which has expired; will decide whether or not to renew.
- Transportation Committee will meet on Tuesday, January 21, to look at the Brooklyn Gateway Project; changes to the street patterns and streescape at Adams and Tillery; other projects Myrtle and Flatbush and some minor work on Fulton/Grand/Gates.
- The Education Committee will on Wednesday, January 22, to seek approval for the Compass Charter School.
- Also, regarding the NY Times Story, "The Invisible Child," CB2 has formed a task force to deal with the Auburn Shelter to see if the new administration will be more attentive to what has become a cruel dumping ground on St. Edwards Str.
- The Bklyn Heights Branch Public Library has issued an RFP for the acquisition and redevelopment of that site, proposing the developer includes the library to occupy the ground floor in the development plans of one of seven new residential buildings. More information for the development proposal can be found on the library's website.
- A few years ago, CB2 approved to include in its priorities the renovation of the open space of BAM Park, located at the intersection of Fulton and Lafayette streets and St. Felix Place. When they tore the buildings down that previously occupied that space, they didn't backfill the site properly, and the ground is beginning to shift and settle. The Downtown Partnership has had funds reallocated, and they will be issuing an RFP soon for the design of the space.
- This weekend is TreeCycle, so if you have not gotten rid of your tree yet, they can be dropped off at Cobble Hill Park, located at Verandah Place and Clinton Street, from 10:00am — 2:00pm
During the open session:
A representative from Senator Dan Squadron's office spoke about a recent legislative victory: Following a G Train study and review, Squadron's office was able to get signs placed in all G Train station letting riders know where the shorter G Train will stop. The all were installed on January 1.
Jim Vogel, representing Senator Velmanette Montgomery's office, announced that next Thursday, the senator with others has organized a meeting between developers and elected officials to talk about the industrial use of waterfront. All of the elected officials whose districts border the East River waterfront in Brooklyn will attend. The group is inviting out developers to get a crash course on what government can do in improving the economy. Vogel added, that the new legislative session has started, "So if you have ideas for legislation, please let us know now."
Michael Chastice, representing Assemblywoman Joan Millman, said the assemblywoman will be in Albany pushing to increase the minimum wage to $9 by December 31; working on the Women's Equality Act and the Dream Act; and will have an update on the state and future of Long Island College Hospital.
Ms. Nannearl Blackshear, representing the office of Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said, "The Borough President is excited to work with all of the community boards, the leadership. His is looking to work towards a better Brooklyn and a better quality of life for all residents of Brooklyn. So stay tuned."
She added that their office is in the middle of doing appointments and reappointments. Also, if anyone has had any difficulty accessing the application online, they are currently finalizing the website and the site should be fixed soon. In the meantime, if you have questions, you may call 718-802-3700.
*Community Board 2 meets the second Wednesday of every month, 6:00pm at a location that changes each month. To receive updates about future CB2 meetings, email cb2k@nyc.rr.com to be placed on their mailing list.
