From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: Board Meeting

Board Meeting

This photo was (of course) taken by BKLYNgraffiti. While I am vaguely on the subject, I’d like to remind my fellow north Brooklynites this evening is the public hearing/board meeting of our very own Community Board 1! You can view the itinerary for this evening’s convocation by clicking here. NOTE: I have word OUTRAGE has been added to this agenda.

Community Board 1 Combined Public Hearing & Board Meeting
Swinging Sixties Seniors Center
211 Ainslie Street
Brooklyn, New York 11211

Highlight From The Community Board 1 Public Safety Committee Meeting: Pips Presents

All things considered last night’s proceedings were short and sweet. The list of aspiring liquor license holders was (all things being relative) brief and those present were for the most part prepared. I also am pleased to report that the same can be said for the men of the Public Safety Committee. Being the gatekeepers of booze* for both Greenpoint and Williamsburg they have seen and/or heard almost everything in the way of a “novel” eating and drinking establishment applications.

And as of last night I can personally attest that they can add a new one to the list: a ping pong table tennis parlor/art gallery which will serve wine and beer. Yes, you have just read me correctly.

The above photograph was part of “Pips” application.

Naturally good-humored questions about “beer pong” were bandied about. The young men behind this endeavor assured everyone present there will be no such nonsense; Pips is first and foremost an art gallery and ping pong parlor. Questions about the art gallery and ping pong parlor proper were also raised. The applicants stated these two spaces were separate— unless of course an artist wanted to show his/her work in the ping pong parlor. Then they’d make an exception. This made sense.

Thus the application was recommended for approval and provided (of course) their application passes the muster of the Community Board 1 and the State Liquor Authority— and it probably will— Williamsburg, the city of New York and very likely the world will have the very first ping pong table tennis parlor/art gallery legally sanctioned to serve suds. And wine.

Pips Ping Pong Table Tennis Parlor & Art Gallery
Opening Date: TBA
155 Roebling Street
Brooklyn, New York 11211

NOTE/CAVEAT: Ping pong and art lovers alike should be advised that Pips was only allotted ten stools— so be prepared to enjoy your libations standing up.

*Note: their decisions are only “advisory”. In other words the State Liquor Authority or a City Councilperson can overturn their decisions with caprice and the stroke of a pen.

From The New York Shitty Inbox: McGolrick Park Needs Help!

A woman we’ll call “L” writes (in an email addressed to our Parks Supervisor, Parks Supervisor for Brooklyn, the 94th Precinct, Community Board 1 and elected officials— among numerous others— and sporting no less than thirteen pages of signed petitions attached):

My name is (excised) and I am a mom to 3 boys.  We have lived in the neighborhood directly surrounding McGolrick Park for almost 10 years.

To begin, I am presenting you with a petition of 124 signatures of people who have the same concerns about McGolrick Park that I am about to voice.  While collecting these names I was surprised to learn just how angry most of these people are.  I heard horror stories of park experiences and livid complaints from every signer.  Their specific issues ranged from trepidation about lights in the middle of the park being out or off for a very long time, to frustration at having to call 911 or the 94th precinct dozens and dozens of times in the past 6 months, to a report that a neighbor was shot with some kind of pellet gun just last week while small children were also walking near him.  Although these issues are specifically focused on McGolrick Park, it is common knowledge that similar problems exist at many of the North Brooklyn parks, namely McCarren and American.  All this being said, this petition is not an indictment of park workers, that is the men and women who thanklessly clean up the disgusting and unnecessary messes of the park.  They, like all the residents and park-goers, need the support of park management to fix the greater problems that exist.

When my family first moved to the McGolrick area in 2002, the park was an absolute wasteland. . .  filled with blood, puke, abusive drunks, needles and dime bags. It was disgusting and I hated taking my young son there. At its worst, I even witnessed an 18 month old fall into an open sewage drain in the center of the park. It was all awful. But then Gardener Dave Wysocki came to McGolrick, wonderful Dave, who transformed the park from wretched to amazingly beautiful, an urban paradise that became a daily part of my growing family. 

Since Dave’s departure earlier this year, McGolrick has rapidly degenerated.  This has lead to three major areas of concern that I would like to outline:

Firstly, there are groups of homeless, drunk men who take up residence in the park or on the benches of its perimeter at various times.  I must insert here that for the past 6 weeks their presence has decreased significantly, perhaps due to the in-park suicide of a presumed homeless man in late September, which I must add is not the first violent and unnecessary death of one of these men in the park.  I am dismayed that it takes someone dying to enact change. But returning to my original point, these groups often leave garbage, glass, and most importantly human excrement and blood throughout the park, even in the playground area. There are also instances when they have been aggressive towards others in the park.  I personally was once accosted by one man who attempted to enter my car when I pressed the automatic door opener.  As I was putting my 3 kids in the car he hovered there demanding that I give him money, until a passer-by, or as my middle son called him, a super-hero, came to our aid.  This same man detained my babysitter in the same way as she sat on a bench of the park.  Plainly said, these men pose health and safety risks that should be addressed in the short-term by better clean-up and more police patrols to keep them out.  But more importantly, social services need to be called upon to offer more pro-active outreach to these populations.  Until these men receive support such as counseling, rehabilitation, and housing, their residency in the park will continue.

Secondly, there is a group of young teenagers who have caused considerable damage to the park.  They throw and break glass bottles, tip full garbage cans in order to jump them with their bikes, they have destroyed an entire row of benches, and then when repaired, they destroyed the benches again.  They have set fires, and cut down a small tree.  Again, the best way to stop this behavior in the short-term is to have more police patrols in the park, but in the long-run we need better mentoring and outreach programs for at-risk youth of this community.  These kids in particular have been running the streets for about five years which says to me that either their families neglect their welfare, or their home-life is so bad that they can’t stand to be in their houses.  In any case, Greenpoint could surely use a strong and present social action group that is specifically focused on the needs of the pre-teen and teen populations. Furthermore, we need more outdoor spaces that speak to the needs of this age group and more community centers that offer positive and safe ways for them to spend their time.

Lastly, under Dave Wysocki’s leadership McGolrick Park became a shining star of the Greenpoint, a true community asset that drew hundreds of new families and residents to this area.  Not only did he make the park beautiful with additions of many flowers, tress, and shrubs, he educated his staff on how to care for the gardens properly.  He offered nature-based workshops for the small children of the neighborhood, involved the community in the revitalization of the park, and most importantly created a strong relationship with PS 110.  By doing so he offered those children special educational opportunities and a sense of positive ownership in this land.  It is an absolute travesty that all of his hard work, so quickly went down the tubes.  McGolrick needs park management with the passion and commitment that Dave showed.  That is the backbone of the health and safety of the park, and without it I fear that one day, I’ll hear of another hanging body or see another baby’s body floating in a sewer drain.

All this being said, I’m sure that as the cold weather approaches these issues will naturally decrease.  However, I am also sure that as soon as spring arrives, residents will be dealing with these same grievances again, UNLESS the residents, park management, local law enforcement, the community board, social services, and local politicians make plans of action over the next winter months for how to improve the current conditions at McGolrick Park.

I and so many of my neighbors have been given the run-around and have been shut down in pursuing our goal of bettering the park.  Park management has said to contact the 94th; the 94th said to contact the community board; the community board said to contact the Parks Department.  This is a vicious cycle of irresponsibility that is getting us nowhere and the residents of this community will stand for it no longer.  A much-appreciated, first step in the right direction would be a well-advertized “town hall” meeting with all of you who are addressed in this letter, to happen as soon as possible.  (Perhaps such a meeting could take place at the Lutheran Church on Russell Street between Driggs and Nassau.)  We want the opportunity to truly be heard, since we have been ignored for so long.  We want to know how you specifically plan to resolve these issues. . . and I can assure you that we are ready to hold you accountable if solutions are not developed and implemented.

I, like so many people of this community, look forward to hearing your responses and hope that our concerns for the health and safety of McGolrick Park will finally be addressed.  Thank you.

I suppose this is as good a time as any to remind folks that Community Board 1’s Parks and Waterfront Subcommittee convenes this evening at 6:30 p.m.! Once again, you must sign in by 6:15 in order to speak!*

Parks & Waterfront Committee Meeting, Community Board 1
November 16, 2011 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Community Board 1 Office
435 Graham Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11211

*Apparently the Parks and Waterfront Committee’s public meetings unlike those of, say, the Public Safety and Transportation do not allow the public to sign up and speak. Mind you, this is despite the fact this right is established by charter by our fair city. Go figure.

Photo Credits: Pile of human feces with asswipe was found at this very park last week by yours truly.

THIS WEEK: Parks & Waterfront Committee Meeting

This Wednesday, November 16, 2011 starting at 6:30 p.m. the Parks and Waterfront Committee of our very own Community Board will be convening. Those of you whose reside near or frequent McCarren Park will undoubtedly find the rather limited agenda for this meeting of interest:

  1. Presentation on on the development of the scope for RFP: The Development, Operation, and Maintenance of a Seasonal Ice Rink at McCarren Park – by Mr. Evan George, Project Manager, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation.
  2. Pathways of McCarren Park – Project status: continued discussion.

REMINDER: You must sign in by 6:15 p.m. in order to speak!

Parks & Waterfront Committee Meeting, Community Board 1
November 16, 2011 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Community Board 1 Office
435 Graham Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11211

 

TODAY: Community Board 1 Combined Public Hearing & Board Meeting

This is but a fraction of the sidewalk cafe/liquor license goodness which awaits your delectation tomorrow at the Swinging 60’s Senior’s Center! Those of you who are curious can view the whole list here. Otherwise, I’d like to point out (once again) that this is a Combined Public Hearing and Board Meeting. Transportation Alternatives seems to be under the impression this is a Transportation Committee Meeting.* And saw fit to share this misinformation via an email blast:

Community Board 1 Combined Public Meeting & Board Meeting
November 9, 2011 starting at 6:30 p.m. (NOTE: you must sign up by 6:15 p.m. in order to speak)
The Swinging 60’s Senior’s Center
211 Ainslie Street
Brooklyn, New York 11211

*Which, had T.A. simply reviewed Community Board 1 BK’s calendar, they would have ascertained there is not a Transportation Committee meeting this month. But who I am to fret over such trivialities? This meeting is gonna be fun…  right?

LAST GASP: 94th Precinct Community Council Meeting & Community Board 1’s Parks Subcommittee Meeting

Both are set to happen the evening of October 11th! Am I the only person who would like to see greater coordination/communication between our Community Board, the Police Department and other community “groups”  so as to prevent overlaps like this? Why should we Greenpointers be forced to, for example, pick and choose between learning more about the tragic (and I suspect preventable) suicide which came to pass at McGolrick Park and what’s on Community Board 1 Parks Subcommittee’s agenda (which happens to be pretty Garden Spot-centric):

1. Presentation on Improvements/Renovation for Cooper Park – by Mr Martin Maher, Chief of Staff/Brooklyn – Parks Department, and Ms. Portia Cook-Dyrenforth, Capital Projects, Brooklyn – Parks Department
2. Proposed Green Thumb Interim Use For 59 Java Street – by Mr. Jack Hammer, NYC HPD.
3. Pathways of McCarren Park – Project status discussion.

In any case, make/take your choice, Greenburgers:

Community Board 1 Parks Subcommittee Meeting
October 11, 2011 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Community Board 1 Headquarters
435 Graham Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11211

94th Precinct Community Council Meeting
October 11, 2011 starting at 7:00 p.m.
Church of the Ascension
127 Kent Street
NOTE: you must enter via the Java Street entrance!
Brooklyn, New York 11222

UPDATE, October 11, 2011: Per the revised agenda, item #2 has been cancelled.

New York Shitty Day Ender: Live From Community Board 1

All in all it was a pretty dull evening at the Swinging 60’s Senior’s Center tonight. However, I did film OSA’s announcement regarding the concerts. Simply put, moving forward these will be located at 50 Kent Avenue (which is city-owned property) and they have scheduled a “town hall” meeting where concerned neighbors can voice their concerns; offer criticism (be it constructive or otherwise) and advice. Watch for yourself!

Nonetheless, very salient concerns were raised at the end of the meeting during the “public speaking” session:

New York Shitty analysis:

  1. On the surface 50 Kent Avenue may prove— at least financially— to be a better venue for the Open Space Alliance to conduct these concerts. It is city-owned property and as such they do not have to split the profits with East River State Park.
  2. This year’s concerts, per Ms. Thayer, netted an estimated $250,000. Mind you, this is before costs have been factored in and without taking into account that East River State Park gets half the take. So let’s say, optimistically, $250,000 was raised and there are no costs. This only leaves $125,000— a pittance as far as institutional funds are concerned— to ostensibly improve parks in the entirety of Community Board 1. What’s the point?
  3. Unless better crowd control and sensitivity to/coordination with public transportation— namely service suspensions by the MTA and perhaps special ferry service to and from Manhattan— are explored by OSA I honestly do not see things changing other than who will be doing the complaining. The “problem” has simply been moved.
  4. Does filming the aftermath of OSA’s “Widespread Panic” concert merit death threats? Really?

OSA Town Hall Meeting Regarding “The Concerts”
October 20th starting at 6:30 p.m.
Swinging Sixties Seniors Center
211 Ainslie Street
Brooklyn, New York 11211

LAST GASP: Live From The Community Board 1 Public Safety Committee; Toshi Presents!

September 28, 2011 ·
Filed under: 11211, Culture War, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn 

Toshi himself was present.

Floor plans were reviewed and residential apartments were noted.

Curbed was on this first when they wrote (on September 21st):

The Hotel Toshi outpost at 808 Driggs Avenue in Williamsburg has been a source of frustration for longer-term building tenants, some of whom broke their leases early because they were fed up with Toshi’s habits of allegedly leaving the building’s side door open, moving tenants’ mail, and renting out rooms for all-night parties. Some long-term renters remained—in fact, the Toshi outpost is apparently legal because the majority of the units are not Toshi-occupied—but they’re not all on board with Toshi’s latest plan: opening a cafe in the building. A tipster sends along the deets.

You can (and should) read the rest by clicking here. Here’s what I can tell you from last night’s proceedings:

1. Cafe Toshi will be offering “heat and eat” meals and touted support from residential tenants of said building.
2. Concerns about egress and overall compliance with Department of Buildings regulations were raised by the Committee.
3. Thus, the application was turned down until documentation about the legality of the “kitchen plus office” is confirmed by the Department of Buildings.
4. Inasmuch as I can recall, Mr. Toshi is the first and only attendee to bring his dog to a Community Board 1 meeting. He (she?) was in a rather nice carrier and kept quiet throughout the proceedings.

For more reading about the Toshi Empire (and its rather rapacious appetite for commandeering residential apartments for “hotel” use, among other things) click here, here, here, here, here and ESPECIALLY HERE.

From The New York Shitty Inbox: How Do I Complain?

September 26, 2011 ·
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

A lady we’ll called “Grumpy” (who sent me this delightful image) writes:

Hello Miss Heather.

Happy Sunday!

I wanted to share a lovely photo of what my entrance way (I live on Manhattan Ave. at Meserole)looked like when I returned home around 1:30 AM last night. There were super intoxicated, sluttily dressed, LOUD girls/ladies all up and down my block, sitting on stoops, texting, screetching about men who had ignored them and I am sure one of them was responsible for the disgusting mess all over my stoop. The puke was not only on the street and in my doorway but also in the vestibule into my building!
DISGUSTING.

Every Saturday night, around 4 AM it sounds like a friggin’ riot is happening, right under my window. Men fighting over ladies, men just fighting other men because they are drunk and stupid, people screaming, threatening each other, car doors being slammed, car tires peeling out, glass breaking, etc… it is NUTS! And although the police station is NEXT DOOR to Europa the police cannot seem to control these techno-loving, inebriated maniacs! The ruckus is really crazy and seems to be getting worse, week to week. I have lived in the same apt. for 7 years and although I have been woken up on occasion over the past 7 years, the past 2 months have been intolerable, I get woken up EVERY Saturday night (and some Friday nights) by what I now refer to as the 4 AM riots!

I stopped a police officer when I was getting home last Saturday, around 2 AM, to ask her what to do about the increased craziness of Europa’s patrons and she told me all that I could do was go to a community board meeting to express my unhappiness about the current situation of the streets when the club lets out. I certainly don’t want to be the old crank who wants the kids locked down with nowhere to go but I also feel like this has become SO ridiculous that I should do something! My friend and neighbor (who I think you know) also has similar stories of being awoken by these drunk dummies, who puke in front of her house, and sit on her stoop blabbing incoherently to each other, keeping her up all Saturday night as well.

Her and I think we should go to a meeting, she said that you attend all of them… if we were to go, should we bring evidence of the out of control shit that is happening weekly?

Any advice you might have would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!

-grumpy in Greenpoint

First off, there’s no way I could possibly attend “all the meetings” which come to pass here. This is simply not humanly possible— but thanks! Secondly, as some of you might recall there was a rather nasty incident which came to pass at Club Europa weekend before last which culminated in (among other things) two police officers getting injured. This was expounded upon at the last 94th Precinct Community Council meeting by Deputy Inspector Hurson. Those of you who are not in the know can get his take on what happened by clicking here.

The previous having been written, the police officer’s advice is correct. Somewhat. Although I have written more posts about the subject of nightclubs, nuisances they can present; and how to go about complaining more than I care admit I’m going to do it one more time. Please pay attention, folks!

1. You know how the slogan for the MTA goes: If you see something, say something! The same applies when it comes to reporting bars and/or nightclubs which are proving not to be good neighbors. When you see (or in this case: hear) disorderly behavior call 311 and complain. At the end of the call you will be given a complaint number. Be sure to write this down as you will need it to…

2. Email it along with a general description of what happened to your local Community Board. In this case, Community Board 1 Brooklyn: bk01 (at) cb (dot) nyc (dot) gov
3. Meetings: these are an excellent way to follow up on your 311 complaint! Here are a few relevant ones to consider:

Public Safety Committee, Community Board 1 (this body oversees liquor license applications and criminal activity)
Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 27, starting at 6:30 p.m. (That’s tomorrow! NOTE: You must sign up to speak by 6:15 p.m.)
Community Board 1 Main Office
435 Graham Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11211

Community Board 1 Combined Hearing & Public Meeting
October 5, 2011 starting at 6:30 p.m. (NOTE: once again, you must sign up to speak by 6:15 p.m. This rule is enforced with great vigilance)
Swinging 60’s Seniors Center
211 Ainslie Street
Brooklyn, New York 11211

And last, but hardly least: 94th Precinct Community Council Meetings! The schedule for these has been changed to the second Tuesday of every month starting at 7:00 p.m. This would make the next meeting October 11th.

94th Precinct Community Council Meeting
October 11, 2011 starting at 7:00 p.m.
Church of the Ascension, back room
127 Kent Street
Brooklyn, New York 11222

NOTE: You must gain entrance via Java Street!!!

This is how to get started, W. You can (and should) also bring your complaints to the attention of your local elected officials. Here are a few to get you started!

1. Assemblyman Joseph Lentol
2. City Councilman Steve Levin
3. Lincoln Restler; State Committee, 50th Assembly District

I hope this has been helpful. Good luck!

Greenpoint Photos du Jour, Part II: Escape From New York

September 22, 2011 ·
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Street Art 

From the East River Ferry pier on India Street.

P.S.: It would appear Chairman Olechowski of Brooklyn’s very own Community Board 1 is seeking egress from Brooklyn!

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