From The New York Shitty Inbox: It Came From Beneath The Creek
Filed under: 11222, Gentrification, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
Or: Release The Kraken!
This corker was sent to me a couple months ago via anonymous tipster. I tabled sharing it until I felt the time was right. Today, for reasons which will soon become apparent, is that day. The above polemic was created shortly after the 2005 rezone. As it was explained to me (by said tipster) its purpose was to criticize GWAPP assuming the lion’s share of credit for the successful fight against the Trans Gas power plant which was slated to grace Bushwick Inlet. For those of you who were not here in 2005 (and I suspect there are many) I present the following video from NY1.
If the above “Community Activist” looks/sounds familiar it is because:
1. He was recently appointed* to the advisory board of the new “GWAPP”.
2. And I also recently verified that contrary to what is stated in this gent’s biography on the aforementioned site (an excerpt of which is above), Mr. Perlmutter is not now nor was he ever under the employ of Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn.
Interesting yes? Well today I had the item at left brought to my attention by my buddy Crappy. It got me to thinking— and finally it hit me:
What is not mentioned in this biography is every bit as fascinating— if not more so— than what is.
Namely, that in addition to being a “Community Activist” in the fight against the Trans Gas power plant, Mr. Perlmutter also happened to be under the hire of George Klein, the fellow responsible for Greenpoint Landing, so as to argue in favor of the 2005 rezone.
But don’t take my word for it. It is stated quite clearly in the April 29, 2005 edition of the New York Daily News.
(You can/should read the rest here.)
Straight up: as the featured cartoon attests, GWAPP has been the subject of controversy for some time. Controversy which persists to this very day. Controversy which would have, could have, should have been avoided by the simple practice of transparency.
Greenpoint Landing, regrettably, is going to happen whether we want it or not. That’s reality. However, I do not think expecting an organization which purports to represent the interests of the community giving full disclosure of their activities and board/advisory panel’s business relationships— past and present— is asking too much. Or is it? Now if you don’t mind, gentle readers, I am off to corner the market on ear plugs. I sense a very lucrative entrepreneurial opportunity is at hand!
*By a panel which includes his spouse. How’s that for nepotism?*
Quicklink: A New Chapter?
Filed under: 11211, 11222, 11249, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
After a multi-month process, the Greenpoint Association for Parks & Planning is pleased to announce it’s new Executive Board: Barbara McGlamery (Chair)*, Rich Mazur**, Trina McKeever*** (Treasurer), Laura Treciokas (Secretary)****,Manuel Zuniga and Katie Denny*****. Learn more about each of them and their connection to Greenpoint on the Board Members page…
New York Shitty translation: the nominating committee stalled until mid-summer (when folks are on vacation) to announce that they have appointed themselves.
You can read this “news” in its entirety by clicking here. In closing I feel compelled to share the following video. It features the new chair of GWAPP in action. It is quite something as you will see…
*Wife of a founding member and board member of Open Space Alliance North Brooklyn. Samesaid fellow was under hire by George “Greenpoint Landing” Klen to argue the case for the 2005 rezone.
**Head of North Brooklyn Development Corporation which is overseeing the distribution of the Greenpoint Environmental Relief Fund money.
***Employee of the North Brooklyn Development Corporation. Also the owner of The Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park web site’s url. (Run a “who is” search and see for yourself!)
*****Co-chair of the Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park group.
***** Former Community Co-chair of Open Space Alliance North Brooklyn.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: A Christmas Present For The MTA
A merry hooligan named Julian writes:
Hey Heather,
It has been awhile since piece but I just put up my latest piece a Christmas present to the MTA at Bedford L stop that I thought you might be interested in…
The present is waiting for the MTA to come pick it up at Bedford Ave stop, it is going to be there for the next 24 hours thanks to the watchful eye of the Bedford Ave busker. It is just a mould of my body but it sure has confused a number of people thinking it is a mime.
Nice. Perhaps Julian should knock out one of these bad boys for the Crosstown Local? Given the recent “green-lighting” of Greenpoint Landing…
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Regarding Tomorrow’s Hearing
Hi Heather,This is Kim over at Save Greenpoint. Just wanted to give you a heads up that the City has switched the location of the Public Hearing to City Hall. I’m not sure if it’s b/c they are anticipating a whole bunch of us or they are trying to confuse people so they won’t have a chance to sign up and speak. Either way, we can’t let that happen.Here is the new location. The time slots will remain the same.Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises (77 Commercial Street)
9:30 am
Council Chambers, City Hall
Subcommittee on Planning, Dispositions,& Concessions (Greenpoint Landing)
1 pm
Committee Room, City Hall
Thanks!
Plan accordingly, Garden Spotters!
Quicklink: Live From The Department Of City Planning
Filed under: 11222, Gentrification, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
Those of you who missed last week’s hearing at the Department of City Planning regarding Greenpoint Landing and 77 Commercial Street, do not despair. It’s online! Point and click your way here. And download this:
Start at 6:08. Here’s a general outline:
- Jack Hammer of HPD outlines the affordable housing component. A Q & A session follows.
- Melanie Myers, representing Greenpoint Landing Associates, speaks.
- Lisa Gomez, a partner in this endeavor, speaks.
- 34:59: Speakers against speak. I found Laura Hofmann’s and the most awesome speaker ever, Nancy, to be especially compelling. They speak sequentially starting at 1:02.06 .
- Speakers in favor speak start at 1:11:43. Of particular interest to yours truly was the testimony of Adam Perlmutter. He was, after all, the attorney George Klein/The Park Tower Group hired to push for the 2005 Rezone in the first place. I wonder if he’s back on the “payroll”— so to speak?
New York Shitty Video Du Jour: Live From The ULURP Review Meeting
Filed under: 11222, BAD ASS, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
I am pleased to announce there was a terrific turn-out at this last evening’s proceedings. Not only did my fellow Greenpointers show up— but they SPOKE UP! So much so, I suspect I will be up quite late uploading all the footage. I cannot say I am exactly fond of pulling all-nighters. However, I realize a lot of concerned folks could not attend this hearing and would find the footage of interest. What’s more when bits Greenpoint glory are to be shared with the general public like this…
Best Public Speaker EVER from Miss Heather on Vimeo.
…well, then as far as I am concerned, it is totally time well spent. I will share everything in (hopefully) chronological order in two separate posts: one for 77 Commercial and one for Greenpoint Landing. For reasons which require no explanation I felt this citizen (who was speaking in regards to 77 Commercial) merited her own post— and a New York Shitty salute! It is both an honor and a privilege to call you a neighbor, Nancy.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Agenda For Tomorrow’s Land Use Review Hearing
Special thanks goes to Marcy for bringing this to my attention! As you can see the items pertaining to Greenpoint Landing and 77 Commercial are second and third on the agenda— so those who cannot arrive at 5:00 p.m. on the dot will not miss anything!
New York Shitty Videos Du Jour: And The Vote Is In!
Greenpoint Landing
- Note the Community Board 1 members who trickle in as the proceedings commence. Rabbi Neiderman is one of them.
- One board member (whose name eludes me) asked about “density”. A very good question— one which was not answered in any meaningful fashion whatsoever.
- Esteban Duran, Education and Youth chair, asks about the school which will be built. It will be pre-K – eighth grade, but it is ultimately the city’s call.
- The motion is carried with 4 votes against and 1 abstention.
77 Commercial Street
- Ms. Teague noted that Jay Segal (of Greenberg Taurig, speaking on the behalf of 77 Commercial— he had signed up to speak but when called elected not too) spoke to her on the phone about the developer’s willingness to “work with us” moving forward. Um, he is a lobbyist. Making phone calls and promises is what he is paid to do.
- To answer Mr. Neiderman’s question, there are no solid commitments (from either Greenpoint Landing or 77 Commercial Street).
- The height for the market rate buildings will be (and I quote) “30-40 stories”.
- The motion is carried with 29 votes for, 8 votes against and no abstentions.
In news of not the terribly surprising variety, the Community Board (at least the majority of the 37-ish members* who elected to show up) voted in favor of the Land Use Committee’s recommendations. This is not to suggest no one had anything to say. Estaban Duran certainly did. In fact, I’d go so far as to say he asked the question which was on the minds of a fair number of citizens in the room:
Why aren’t we rejecting it outright?
Ms. Teague’s answer was as follows:
I believe if we reject them outright the city will give them what they want.
Conclusion: As is usually the case, much was made about affordable housing. Let’s put it this way, gentle readers: the reason I film this stuff is 1, 2, 5, 10 years down the line folks can go back and watch it. Speaking for myself, I will be very, very interested to see who ends up administering said affordable housing. Especially that at 77 Commercial Street.
If I was a betting woman (and I am not) I’d place my money on Peoples’ Firehouse. As some of you might recall, they were among the neighborhood organizations of whom Ms. Teague mentions as attesting to the need for affordable housing (at the prior Land Use meeting, which can be viewed here). I suppose it is sad that I harbor this level of cynicism— but history lends my prognostication some credence. A great many of the community organizations here, while certainly founded for laudable reasons, seem use these proceedings not so much to reflect the sentiments/interests/needs of the community they represent. Rather, they are a means of getting a “cut” of the action. Thus time is spent debating how many angels can sit on the head of a pin instead of examining “the larger picture” in any meaningful fashion.
And that’s exactly how they want it.
*As opposed to the twenty who answered roll call at the beginning of the meeting. If my memory serves me correctly, this is a new low. For those of you who are wondering, Community Board 1 has 49 members. Yup, we have a chronic absenteeism problem. Perhaps this should be brought to the attention of the:
- Attendance and/or
- By-laws, Attendance Procedures (Parliamentary), Service Delivery (whatever the hell that is) Committee?
You can always leave it to good ol’ Community Board 1 for a healthy dose of Kafka— with an Orwell chaser.
P.S.: You can view the Oh-Es-Aye minute by clicking here. It would appear the monetization bubble for the McCarren Park Tennis Courts has been tabled until next year.
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