Civic News Fall 2011 The Newsletter of the Park Slope Civic Council | www.parkslopeciviccouncil.org
SPECIAL ISSUE What is the PARK SLOPE CIVIC COUNCIL? Atlantic Yards Community Grants Fourth Avenue page 11 page 8 page 7
Grand Army Halloween Historic District Plaza Parade Expansion page 3 page 4 page 6
House Tour Livable Streets page 9 page 3
Sustainability Scholarships page 5 page 4
Toys for Tots page 8
Take a new look at your community’s advocates and get involved! the neighborhood, and and the neighborhood, Civic News | Fall 2011 02 the Civic Council’s work. you’ll see evidence of Comment Coming Together for the Community A while back, whileA back, are organizing a community round acommunity organizing are Avenue. Fourth along Weof changes front out in Yards being to Atlantic to streets advocacy, calmer issue from in areality. be 2011, will that Tenth end and byof the Ninth Streets; Avenue between Fourth on entrance of along-closed subway reopening the We fortions. hard long and pushed organiza community to grants and students school high for local arships We schol provide volunteers. Council Tour,House of Civic by legions run 53rd have the annual weMay will 2012, In institutions. and businesses local from assistance with Council, Civic by volunteersof the run is this — and year every for children presents needy Toys businesses. for Totscal provides of generosity lo the with volunteers, Council by Civic run is this — and more and flowers, plant neighborhood, the up around clean to motivation and tools people the SweepCivic gives twice-yearly The volunteers. by our run and ages, for all fun community, our in for children activity asafe is Parade een Hallow communities).The say, to pleased neighboring in here (and, signs I’m of “NoFlyers” thousands the are ous work. Perhaps obvi most Council’s dence Civic of the Slope. Park restore and Tour,House to preserve mission new step on its first the Slope Park first the had organized 1959, Council Civic the Brooklyn of South commerce. achamber much as functioned that of Trade, Board abody Brooklyn South 1896 the in as life Slope?” Park is “What but also Council?” Slope Civic Park the is “What not only ask well One could of ourselves. stock whatwe take to do, and what weand are about reach talk to to out, opportunity Iembrace the torial, edi this do In not. community the around others many that me surprise to but it never is, ceases Council Civic what the know publication this of reading youdoubt who many are No Council?” Slope Civic Park the is “What question, the News of Civic issue upcoming idea devote an to had the Look around all The Civic Council is also involved also is Council Civic The evi see you’ll and neighborhood, the around all Look starting time, a around long been has Council The Civic , a useful term eventoday, term many referredthe to , auseful a few Park Slope Civic Council trustees trustees Council Slope Civic a few Park
the Park Slope Civic Council. By Council. Slope Civic Park the called organization advocacy an as “repurposed” had become of Trade Board the 1950s the by forBrooklyn, South change of waves several Slope. After Park including Brooklyn, town of Down south communities - - - - Joan Emerson, Carole Gould, Craig Hammerman, Hammerman, Craig Gould, Carole Emerson, Joan Melinda Morris, Sarah Murphy, Chandru Murthi, David Herman ( John Casson, Darryl Cook, Robert Eidelberg, Eidelberg, Robert Cook, Darryl Casson, John Fall 2011 |Volume 74, No. 1 Daniel Meeter, CathyMilnikiewicz, Sokil Nelly Isaacson, Kyle Johnson, Josh Levy, Levy, Josh Kyle Johnson, Isaacson, Nelly David Alquist,S.J. Avery, Braun, Robert Thanks to supersponsorour Thanks for Civic Council Trustees The newsletter of the newsletter of The Lauri Schindler,Lauri First Vice President Gilly Youner, Vice Second President Josh Levin, Membership Secretary Levin, Josh Secretary Recording Lief, Judith Greg Sutton, Rebeccah Welch Rebeccah Sutton, Greg the Park Slope Civic Council: Robert Gilbert, Treasurer Gilbert, Robert - Michael Cairl, President Cairl, Michael to to - - appointed - - Civic News ), Isabel Hill, Lyn Hill, Lyn Hill, Hill, ), Isabel — Michael Cairl is president of the Park of the Council. Civic Slope president is Cairl — Michael Council. Slope Civic Park the Join be. will community the and Council Civic of whatthe part Be whatyou Ihope about you whatwe see. are. like ing talk of life, walks all people from arrivals, new and timers voices, long- many hear you will issue, one this to topic. In surface. the scratched only night that heard do.whatthey say that Ihad to Council Civic the volunteerswho comprise the that at all up me to amazed came afewmembers new More ones. than back longtime welcomed welcomed and members new opener” meeting 2011 September “season Our change. that of shaping part We sight. day, are every plain in community our in occurs We that not change content are the watch sit to back and businesses. of people and diversity amazing its and munity Slope whole com Park the engaging actively that, from way We Street. of have Ninth come south along houses included it because TourHouse revolutionary considered was that remembers along-ago Lyn Hill Trustee Council Civic Park. Prospect from westward sloping area the throughout nity Council. Civic the it —by volunteerswho comprise —you guessed run way, more on the is And community. all of the benefit together, help for how each other, the see we to might all businesses local and Council Civic the bring to council advisory We abusiness forming program. are cle-share bicy upcoming city’s forthe locations propose to table Civic News that Civic time first the is This commu Today’s build to looks Council Slope Civic Park
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PARK CIVIC SLOPE COUNCIL or [email protected]. Tel.: 718.832.8227. 11215; NY St., Brooklyn, Carroll 729 News, Editor, Civic to photos materials and unsolicited Send publication. for acceptance upon Council Civic Slope Park the of property the become submitted We welcome submissions. images, and Articles, suggestions 11215. NY Brooklyn, Street, Carroll 729 Levin, Josh c/o News, Civic to address of change Send NY. POSTMASTER: Brooklyn, at paid postage Periodicals 11215. NY St., Brooklyn, Trade), of Carroll 729 Board Brooklyn 14, South 1896, the April as (founded Inc. Council Civic Slope quarterly, per year $40 for including membership, by the Park (ISSN 0031-2169) NEWS CIVIC 114-740) (USPS published is David Herman, CivicNews
([email protected]) Cover photos: David Herman photos: Cover www.parkslopeciviccouncil.org Judith Lief, Copy Lief, EditorJudith www.nym.org continued on page 8 page on continued has been devoted devoted been has Editor/Designer
- - - - Improving Our Public Spaces In March 2006, the Park Slope Civic Council devoted its devoted to the Greenmarket. The redesign also added sev- annual community forum to issues of traffic and transpor- eral new bike routes that make cycling through the plaza tation. More than 200 audience members gathered in the easier and safer. Old First Reformed Church’s sanctuary to listen to panelists A similar process, with similar results, has played out on discuss traffic calming and placemaking, residential parking Prospect Park West. Community Board 6 told nycdot in permits and Atlantic Yards, and more. Given a chance to June 2007 that the roadway needed serious traffic calming, weigh in on the challenges they found on local streets, resi- suggesting that one of three vehicular travel lanes could be dents cited Grand Army Plaza’s inaccessibility and speeding replaced with a two-way protected bike path. Local advo- on Prospect Park West cacy group Park Slope Neighbors picked up the ball as two of Park Slope’s in March 2009, sending nycdot 1,300 signatures
most pressing transpor- on a petition asking for much the same thing. The Streets + Livable GAPCo tation-related problems. agency responded not long after, presenting a plan Before the night had removing excess capacity and adding the bike route ended, the wheels of that is there today. Over the next year, the plan was positive and potentially refined, then implemented in June 2010. Almost life-saving change were overnight, the changes had the intended traffic- already in motion. Af- calming effect, reducing speeding by 75%; soon, the ter the event officially amount of bike traffic more than doubled, while ended, a group of newly the presence of bikes on Prospect Park West’s side- energized Brooklynites walks dropped by 90%. sat down in Old First’s Input from the community and GAPCo has Like the newly accessible Grand Army Plaza, the pews and started bat- made a big difference in how people get new Prospect Park West is just one more example ting ideas back and around Grand Army Plaza. that a little vision and a lot of community engage- forth. Before they left, ment can make a complete street out of chaos. the outlines of the Grand Army Plaza Coalition (gapco) Also arising from the 2006 forum was the Livable Streets were born, with the Civic Council as a charter member. Committee, which has initiated a broad spectrum of events Two months later, members of the nascent gapco took and projects that focus on street life — from the way pedes- to the plaza to survey traffic, pedestrian, and cycling condi- trians, cyclists, and motorists interact to the semi-annual tions, noting what worked and what didn’t. The next spring, Civic Sweep (see page 5). gapco convened a workshop at the Brooklyn Public Library, The committee has been included in important con- overlooking the plaza. More than 50 residents, local activ- versations on larger initiatives, most recently with nyc- ists, elected officials, and transportation experts brain- dot’s exciting Bike Share program, which will launch stormed ways to make the space more inviting and safer for next year. Bike sharing will benefit local businesses and pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. institutions like schools and hospitals. Similar programs Those efforts quickly bore fruit. Just six months later, the are already up and running in some 200 cities worldwide New York City Department of Transportation (nycdot) including, in North America, Montreal; the University of announced several improvements to Grand Army Plaza, California campus in Irvine; Miami Beach; Washington, including the conversion of more than 10,000 square feet of D.C.; and Mexico City. asphalt into raised pedestrian islands, marked crosswalks, In our own communities, where so many locals ride and a protected bike path facilitating connections with the bikes and storage is always a premium, we expect a high
existing Plaza Street East bike lane. The enhancements were demand for Bike Share. On Oct. 1, the Civic Council co- 03 a direct outgrowth of gapco’s work — and were just a pre- sponsored a Bike Share demonstration by nycdot at view of things to come. Grand Army Plaza. We are pleased to join in this exercise Last April, nycdot announced the next phase in the on- in community engagement; no less important, we want to going effort to remake Grand Army Plaza. Those startling — open up a dialogue with our local business improvement and widely welcomed — changes, implemented by nycdot districts and other business and community leaders on this summer, have greatly advanced gapco’s goal of trans- where share stations might be sen- forming Grand Army Plaza from a traffic maelstrom into one sibly located. (nycdot has posted of Brooklyn’s — and the world’s — great public spaces. an interactive map, at www.nyc.gov/ The new design has remade the intersection of Flatbush bikeshare, where visitors can suggest and Vanderbilt Avenues to the north into a vastly more where bike-share stations might go.)
pedestrian-friendly space. It has added a new curb and By working together and thinking 2011 | Fall signal for vehicles bound toward Prospect Park West and continued on page 10 Union Street, simplifying what was a breakneck merge across six lanes of traffic. It has added several large pedes- NYCDOT demonstrated the new Bike trian islands and crosswalks on the southern end of the Share program on Oct. 1 in an event
Photos: top, David Herman; right, Doug Gordon, BrooklynSpoke.com plaza, and expanded and physically protected the area cosponsored by the Civic Council. News Civic Park Slope Civic Council Civic News | Fall 2011 04 Halloween | Scholarships Park between Fourth and and Fourth between Park big field at Washington Avenue, at ends the and Fifth toward Street Third (west) turn on a left makes Avenue, Seventh on north Avenue p.m., moves at 6:30 Seventh and at Street 14th starts march enues. The phantom Av Fifth and Seventh Slope, connecting of Park parts many the together The route 1986. brings since life neighborhood bump-in-the-night. go that creatures other of dose skeletons and a heavy with along Slope phantasms, Park and apparitions luring al history, for of Brooklyn’s lots ghostly looking be we’ll you tasmagoric weekendentire before big day work to the phan on your you 31, have foran set Mon., means Oct. is which Parade our applicants come to join their parents after many years years many after parents their come join to applicants our Some of heart-aching. at times and inspiring are children their for sacrifices brought or sent whose here by parents are and West or Africa, America, Indies, Central and South in countries in order. born in are They status immigration dramatic. often are stories Their applications. their on appear don’t that really things have discovered aresult as works, and help volunteer to and others. desire mention their not to succeed, to motivation unbelievable and stories, life backgrounds, applicants’ scholarship our with impressed We school. high are our to coming are of students kind Slope. Park in entity unknown an like feels here for but still decades existed has which school, high local our and neighborhood our between arelationship forging be to great It feels andstudents. staff school the by accepted all comfortably proud event. this in share to invited are family and parents, staff, school and year-end meeting, Council’s the Civic at June every are awarded scholarships The school. high in while service community demonstrate who could and who were college, to accepted building School JayJohn High the in housed schools secondary three of each of the graduate counselor. guidance school a as 25 years my to first returning and apsychologist as career away my current from stepping public-school students, our with to workagain opportunity the special offered me The role Committee. Service for Community Scholarship The annual Park Slope BOOklyn! in Scaring Up Fun Halloween Five years ago, SucceedHelping Students The Civic Council’s Halloween Parade has been a part of of part a been has Parade Halloween Council’s The Civic Many of these students are still struggling to get their get to their struggling still are students of these Many net support students’ We’ve about these learned also we have what come know to Perhaps more meaningfully, welcomed and totally have members been Committee to one award financial a $1,000 grants committee This get? Building on 25 years of community creativity, creativity, of community years on 25 get? Building boo klyn-themed costume. How scary can can How scary costume. klyn-themed I became chair of the Civic Council’s Council’s Civic of the chair I became
Civic Council Halloween Halloween Council Civic - - - - and ghosts through the neighborhood. Then be sure to sure Thenbe neighborhood. the through ghosts and Paper Brooklyn of The editor Kuntzman, Gersh emcee for parade look-out the on Be trick-or-treaters. get ready for and dinner, your those in Commerce. of Chamber Slope Park the and Improvement District Avenue Slope Fifth Business Park the p.m. 8:30 until Paprika and of Steel sic of Hearts mu Avenue, dance great the Fifth with program. more about this learn to you’d like missions. onemain of our remain scholarships these ensuring to itself dedicate Council Civic our watch to rewarding wonderfully and youngsters, these with working are. students who these know will neighbors our so ries sto some of these share to ways planning Weneys. also are jour higher-educational of their tales share to meetings June backour to them inviting college, through progress they as awardees our with keep to aconnection looking also we are awards; scholarship the increase to program ing afundrais We for aid. college starting are qualify legally don’t students outstanding of these many since especially winners, faced by our needs financial on the impact an make really to is goal Our program. scholarship the to tion of Liberty. Statue the Isee time every reaction emotional my understand helps me connection historical This Russia. boat from on the little very over with who came parents future. the in families their and forfor themselves well-being astronger the presentin lifestyle comfortable a of sacrificing dition tra the honoring havewe overcome meet obstacles, these that students impressive The for decades. parents their see do not and relatives, sent with here are live to others apart; — Joan Emerson chairs the Scholarship Committee. Scholarship the chairs Emerson — Joan So organize that stoop party, order party, stoop that organize So be will festivities the Cosponsoring E-mail me at [email protected] if if me at [email protected] E-mail be to honor and It’s forcommittee our apleasure been greatereven atten giving is Council theyear, Civic This of my grand areminder are stories family For me, these at parkslopeciviccouncil.org/halloween-parade. at parkslopeciviccouncil.org/halloween-parade. information more also There’s parkslopeciviccouncil.org. year. celebration of the neighborhood for Slope’s Park end parade at of the the in greatest join organizing this year’s spooky festivities. spooky year’s this organizing is Kim Maier Director Executive House Stone — Old , leading an exciting, family-friendly pack of ghouls pack of ghouls family-friendly exciting, an , leading Want to help with the parade? E-mail halloween@ Want parade?E-mail the help to with www.parkslopeciviccouncil.org -
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Photos: bottom, Gilly Youner; others, David Herman Photos: bottom, Gilly Youner; others, David Herman vens; Brownstone Real Estate llc Estate Real Brownstone vens; Ste Avenue; of Seventh Properties Harris Brown Brooklyn Savings; Federal Astoria York New sor Hospital; Methodist —superspon year’s sponsors Company.Good this We thank byCross and Vincent enjoyed bluegrass we for all and $5, sets light offered bicycle Alternatives Transportation recycling, for electronics Centercollected Ecology Side LowerTheEast kits. supply clean-upof block limited and a bulbs daffodil We pits. tree gave away weeding and trees, up litter, mulching 16. Avenue, Volunteers on Seventh Oct. Sun., focused picking Sweeptook place Civic on year’s Fall This spring. and fall the assistance. and publicity with provide them and groups, other work and with goods; other of and food selection our in issues carbon-footprint and of sustainability awareness raise recycling; increase and reduce waste that age practices encour techniques; “green” building practical and usage ergy en reducing such as issues, on sustainability information vide pro to are goals Our for environment. the practices better promote and community our in resources of natural use later. years Weformed some two advocate for responsible was Committee The Sustainability on sustainability. forum well. as decisions leaders’ elected our influence we can And others. to message a as important is we take action every citizens, concerned as but of course, levels, international and national, state, at the taken have be to will issues global other and change climate on action Meaningful stewardship. responsible and ability Park Slope Civic Council Civic Slope Park Park Slope should Working for aGreener Slope One of our largest activities is the Civic Sweep, Civic the held in is activities largest One of our annual 2008 its focused To Council Civic end, the this Specializing incivilizedanddiscreet 718.399.4103 Brooklyn realestatetransactions BrownHarrisStevens.com Libby Ryan Libby Senior VicePresident be a model community for sustain amodel community be • lryan@bhsusa lryan@bhsusa ; Garfield Realty; Leopoldi Leopoldi Realty; ; Garfield ------E-mail us at [email protected]. us E-mail lives. more live sustainable help community volved and the Trees Million in havemembers participated Committee Sustainability far. up thus one have church signed and merchants Seven of drought. times in trees new these water volunteersto mer, we enlisted sum ago. the Over years two request Council aCivic ing Avenue on Seventh planted by MillionTreesnyc York New in City. similar something intentof doing the with projects, municipal funds and reduces use tic-bag which fee, aplas have introduced howWe cities other in interested are and to members. new offered events be to at Hospital, odist York New from for by paid funds Meth asubstitute, as bag in April.) be will Sweep Sweeps.Civic (The next future by help sponsoring to us businesses more local invite — and Realty Warren and Lewis Inc.; Mortgage, Universal ware; Hard Co.; Tarzian Slope Slope Realty Coop; Food Park ter; Slope Cen Copy Park Realty; Anderson Orrichio Hardware; energy audits and installation of energy-efficiency measures. of energy-efficiency installation and audits energy through consumption energy reduce help and panels, voltaic about solar (see page 3),Program community educate our membership. their to fordistribution associations civic Brownstone Brooklyn sent other to be to dangers on its letter an updated as as well on sheet fact hydrofracking, a finalizing are We now officials. elected and Conservation, vironmental of En Department governor, state of the commissioner the sendthe to practice the opposing trustees for Council Civic aletter composed year, committee water. the Last drinking our to threat environmental aserious hydrofracking, ing project. on this liaison our is Committee, Sustainability amember of the member of and GreenSpace Judy afounding events. Janda, asite forden and community gar anative-plantings envisions GreenSpace come areality. be soon Third Water will garden this Tunnel. that We hope city’s the to access provides which lot, long-vacant on this garden a public have worked create to Council, Civic by the supported Protection, mental of Environ Department the and 6, Board now, Community GreenSpace, years For many Street. Sackett and Avenue lot atinvolves the Fourth Alliance. Park Prospect the with program recycling tree mas Christ Mulchfest local the cosponsors summer. this earlier tan Manhat in and block party Street 10th cochair the Sustainability Committee. Sustainability the cochair currently and founded Murthi Chandru and Gilbert — Bob The committee also keeps an eye on the new trees recently recently trees the eyenew an on keeps also Thecommittee To we have produced bags, atote help of plastic reduce use We are always seeking new members who want to get to in who members new want We seeking always are year,Next we hope help to promote Share Bike new the the to word like get out regard also would Thecommittee Another Sustainability initiative Council Civic the January, in Also, nyc Tree Care workshops at a at a workshops Tree Care - - - - , follow ,
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Civic News | Fall 2011 05 Sustainability Civic News | Fall 2011 06 Historic District 2009 annual forum. Under the auspices of the Historic Dis Under Historic of auspices the the forum. annual 2009 decade. last the in transformation their witness Williams alook at Greenpoint, take hyperbole? Just that Is eral. ephem and fragile seemed brownstone, and bricks in ied embod streetscape, of our solidity the eye, of an blink the in Slope. Seemingly South the in weeds up like ing spring developments new and thoroughfares, commercial Avenue of Fourth Slope’s of Park and majorupzoning two the from Yards, Atlantic stemmed dangers These ened. threat and real both integrity, architectural and torical his neighborhood’s on the assaults aboutconcerned the growing after action took members and trustees Council neighborhood. of the revival the galvanized which initiative, this behind force driving the was Council The Civic 1970s. early the in established was trict Dis Historic Slope districts. cant buildings and signifi chitecturally ar and historically for criteria the meet that blocks many the to extended tection pro by getting sight over this redressing to committed is cil constraint. without features tural architec of their or stripped ways, inappropriate in altered demolished, be can buildings District, Slope Historic Park of the boundaries the Outside landmarked. is neighborhood of the about aquarter only reality, In buildings. frame and houses, carriage buildings, apartment brownstones, of 19th-century expanse large its with mark-protected, Many residents assume Preserving Local History The Civic Council championed the expansion effort at our our at effort theexpansion championed Council The Civic The current effort began in 2007, in group when a ofCivic began effort current The Park current The Coun The Civic Low Commission • High Profile • Undivided AttentionProfile• High • LowCommission So we canaddress allyour Real Estate Needs. Let’s gettogether to see where itleads, From Teacher to Lawyer to Real Estate Ace. Not Just Another Pretty Face! ARLENE GREENDLINGER burg, and neighborhoods throughout the city to city the throughout neighborhoods and burg, www.arlenegreendlinger.com Fax (718)623-3323 Tel (718)857-5360 Real Estate LLC ------The first phase of the historic district’s district’s historic the of phase first The expansion (inexpansion red) is and imminent, will preserve nearly 600 structures. nearly 600 will preserve Park Slope to be fully land fully Slope be to Park [email protected]. help. volunteer considerable require efforts Slope. Our North and Central, South, the from hail and tenants, and homeowners include These volunteers efforts. outreach our volunteers in enlist to and for expansion strategies our discuss to regularly Avenue. Sixth and streets side of many streetscapes unbroken the protect will it strip, enue commercial Av Seventh of our scale small the retaining to tion addi Slope. In South the in blocks to Street Carroll near from extending enue Av above Fifth blocks the on protecting focus will phases quent expansion Subse questions. answer and expansion ofies this boundar proposed their lpc meeting, At that district. ahistoric in be to about whatit means hear to owners the invite year, will next and phase of this review a formal We lpc the support. that their anticipate licit so and buildings of these owners out inform to fanned Slope Armory Park at the starting blocks protect will phase vote. This for upcoming its basis the be will that report tion lpc the press, to goes issue this As imminent. is phase first the in Slope outlined ( mission Com Preservation Landmarks city’s the to May 2009 in plan master aproposed we submitted Committee, Expansion trict Expansion Committee. Expansion District Council’s Civic the Historic Bray— Peter chairs Find out how you can get involved: E-mail us at historic. us outFind E-mail get how involved: you can meets Committee Expansion District Historic The South the in buildings 600 of nearly The designation officials will present will officials lpc ) outlining a multiphase expansion of the district. district. of the expansion amultiphase ) outlining dramatically from Atlantic Yards. Yards. Atlantic from dramatically change to expected veloped, but it’s also de Slope be to of Park part original the is Avenue bush This included. be would Flat near to north Avenue extending and above Fifth and Street of Carroll north Slope. Buildings North the in buildings 600–800 another on protecting sights its set has Council Civic the expansion, protected. be also will Square Pritchard Slope Bartel to Park at The entrance Avenue. of Eighth east just district toric his existing the to enue, extending and Av sides of Seventh both compassing en Street, Seventh and on 14th Street is preparing the voluminous designa voluminous the preparing is In recent months, volunteers have have volunteers months, recent In district’s of the phase second the As - - - - - district boundaries in black). boundaries district current (in green, Slope North the on focus will phase next The
will launch ------Photos: David Herman lic transportation involving mta involving transportation lic pub safety, including pedestrian and biking, traffic, parking, use; land and development, zoning, real-estate streetscape, space, green discussions: our inform would that areas mary • • • • • efforts: our in us guide to objectives eral sev Avenue. on, Fourth we established along Early vitality Slope’s avenue. Park of the in on, or invest portion travel near, of people who live work on, commuteor mix a diverse with group working Avenue,”of Fourth agrassroots is ours on “The Future forum 2010 community successful Council’s the from Stemming future. enue, help its to and contribute the alongav growth point of volved now, inflection at this get to in (see page 3), out opportunities seeks Committee thought-out for avenue’s the plan future. tie developmentandnew into a well- take action, and reflect to agolden opportunity community our handed has kets mar of financial contraction due the to thoroughfare the along now.right of new in flux construction The reprieve Park Slope Civic Council Civic Slope Park Development Avenue Fourth along the City Council will vote on them soon. Details can be can Details vote soon. on them will Council City the Avenue, frontFourth that and boards community three passed have already proposals These improvements. other among plans, their in frontage street-level retail developers include to require will that amendment ing azon proposed department the Planning, City sion with outlets. service needed or other stores, cafes, restaurants, shops, retail community-enriching of colorful, level instead at street apartments or residential walls, or blank empty lots, parking vents or grates, air feature structures these of developments. Many residential appropriately designed in and planned, poorly for oversized, have allowed that Fourth place now along in regulations zoning the address to Planning of City Department city’s of the petitioning the organizations. civic and groups community other sible with pos muchAvenue as as we coordinate to intend Flatbush, to utilities. public other and treatment, water age, drainage, sew and schooling; and housing business; small and mercial, Moving FourthMoving Forward near Fourth Avenue. Fourth near on or options of housing Advocate for diversity agreater residents. and muters, drivers, com cyclists, for pedestrians, of life Improve quality the businesses. cial commer and for retail vitality Promote economic greater street-level avenue on the activity. with buildings the of relationship the strengthen and aesthetics the Enhance Avenue. Fourth along experience pedestrian a more vibrant and agreener, seek streetscape and cleaner Improve safety In early meetings, group participants identified fivepri identified participants group meetings, early In promote to greater and is prosperity, safety, mission Our forth This June, after several meetings and much and discus meetings several after June, This is forgroup our success of arecent early One example avenue on we the nowEven Prospect from focus though onFourth, a subcommittee of the Livable Streets Streets Livable of the asubcommittee onFourth, subway and bus; retail, com retail, bus; subway and is in a state astate in is ------
- - — Josh Levy chairs the forth the chairs Levy — Josh President Street). Meetings are open to all open to are President Street). Meetings Ave. Lyceum, 227 Fourth (corner Brooklyn atat the 8a.m. of press/2011/aug10b_MA.htm. brooklyn-usa.org/ at available is information More efforts. • • • users. Ensure for all safety • • groups: focus have fiveprimary initially The will forceTask the along avenue. change positive to effect efforts our tressing evenbut and on furthering focus nue Task will Force, which Ave President’s Borough Fourth Brooklyn new the project: nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/fourth/index.shtml. at found [email protected]! daily. almost board message internal via communicate also Avenue We stakeholders. other Fourth any and commuters, developers, real-estate owners, business members, munity Explore the co-naming of Fourth Avenue. of Fourth co-naming the Explore Avenues. Flatbush and Atlantic, of Fourth, tion intersec at the Plaza Times expanded of newly use Design AvenueFlatbush Shore to Road. avenue’s the from along length, trees entire sidewalk Plant Enhance subway median vents with artwork/plantings. vents with subway median Enhance forth own our with nicely very dovetails clearly project This Our group is actively participating in another exciting Feel free to get involved! Reach out to us anytime at get to Reach involved! anytime out Feel us free to Lori Schlussel, Tom Curtis, Margaret Laurens Marcie Bachar, Abraham, Ryan Sue Hagen, 123a Seventh Avenue 123a Seventh Serving t Serving With Integrity and Professionalism IntegrityWith and onFourth meets the third Thursday of every month month every of Thursday third the meets onFourth Wassim Aaron Isquith Jose Nunez, Judith Lief, Ellen Blau,Ellen Virginia Hunter, Hunter, Virginia Ala Ala Lisa Garcia, www.warrenlewis.com Aroza Sanjana, Marc Garstein,Marc Fakhereddine
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Civic News | Fall 2011 07 Fourth Avenue Civic News | Fall 2011 08 Toys for Tots | Grants org. at toys4tots@parkslopeciviccouncil. us point off fortoys? e-mail Please adrop- as serve have business your dates. exact and forlocations council.org/toysfortots at parkslopecivic weeks upcoming the in us Visit need. in families with work that organizations local to given are collected toys the Slope. All the in locations at several 6, on Jan. mas Christ Little until Thanksgiving from under, 12 ages and for children gifts unwrapped used gently and new lects col Council Civic the drive, annual donations. distribute gather and help to of cooperation amount nary organizations showed an extraordi and Businesses witness. to wonderful is Slope area Park the in friends and neighbors of our The nature generous past. year of any amount the twice almost 1,100 toys, record-breaking books. of and donated toys hundreds with holidays their by brightening spirit munity com year, Slope true shows its Park every And need. in lies fami and Toys help to children drive for collection Tots gift program. Toys the heads forTots president, cil — Tom- Coun Civic former Miskel, For last the Holidays HappierMaking There’s more to for projects in the arts, education, youth programs, and and education, youth programs, arts, the in for projects Tour House (see page). annual next Council’s by the funded is The 2012. program early in awarded be will 2011, grants and is 2011–12Nov.the 5, The deadline application cycle. grant neighborhood. our in of life quality on the pact im an havethat organizations and noncommercial profits non local to grants in provide up $10,000 to year, we also Every members. and approved trustees by our initiatives Granting Local ‘Wishes’Granting Local Want or volunteer to for drive the donate to for 17th you’dlike the If a in resulted year’s program Last The grants — which are awarded to community groups community to are awarded which — grants The for applications accepting currently is Council Civic The
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IN IT are a step ahead in using robotic FOR LIFE - - - - — Greg Sutton chairs the Grants Committee. Grants the chairs Sutton — Greg org/Grants or e-mail [email protected]. e-mail or org/Grants parkslopeciviccouncil. visit recipients, previous about read or Inc. Park, glass/Greene P.S. Exchange, of Friends Dou 321 and Garden, School Arts bax Protection, for SlopeClimate Parents Park bric grant), gallop Builder (aciation Community funders. more-traditional from help awards to may need leveragelarger they ibility cred the organizations give and money forseed initiatives, provide also can grants Our applicant’s project. cover an fully can funds these Sometimes, of $2,000. grant Builder Community annual asingle to about $500 from range groups. Theawards these to adifference make — certainly Slope residents open of to Park are improvements that civic To download an application, find more about the program, To themore program, find about application, an download Recipients for 2010–11 were P.S. the Asso 39 Parents
Arts | Media | Bklyn, Chocolate Chip Chamber Music, Music, Chamber Chip Chocolate |Bklyn, |Media Arts tho- • www.nym.org ” www.parkslopeciviccouncil.org Horse Show, Horse /Brooklyn /Brooklyn
- - - Showing Off Homes, Guiding through History Showing Off Park Slope Civic Council Civic Slope Park Every thirdSunday to “brighten our streets with window boxes and flowers.” boxes and window with streets our “brighten to funds those used Council donate to The $1.50. asked Civic 1962 were the tour in who joined homes. Participants Slope of Park atour event became the Makla, of Robert leadership the under 1962, In Slope gardens. Park to its vis springtime hosted Club Slope Garden Park the and homes available. beautiful their make homeowners who gracious the to of course, and, tickets who sell realtors and merchants to work. grateful We hard for their also are We thankful releases. send press very are for and flowers; arrange brochure; the edit and write sales; ticket online arrange banner; poster, street map, brochure the and ticket, homes; design tour photograph sitters, nize orga and for homes; recruit search members and former trustees, trustees, Council Civic page). previous (see institutions local to form of grants the in community our to Tours returned are House by the raised tour. followed Funds the has community the to of interest on issues discussion or panel atalk years, recent route. In asuggested of with each home,interior along and history the describing brochure illustrated handsome year. Ticket-holders every Slope, section anew Park get a homes in of lovely interesting tour and walking self-guided Beginning in 1959, the Civic Council 1959, in Council Civic the Beginning as in January, happenbegins this make to The process Community within a Community a within Community One Pr ospect P in May, the Civic Council hosts a a hosts May,in Council Civic the ar www k W est .prospectparkresidence.com •Brooklyn,New Y andPsychologistServices • Ophthalmologist,Audiologist,Dentist, Podiatrist • Physical,Occupational,andSpeechTherapy • On-sitePhysicianV • LicensedPracticalNurses24/7 • • 24Hour var and env mee ran act Our essentia iety ivities pr ge of know ironment. eleg t eac - On- of ap ® from 1962 (left) and 2011. 1962 and from (left) announcements Tour amen ant —A SecureMemoryImpairmentProgram sit h ind ledge e LicensedHomeCareAgency o a s v ork 11215•718.622.8400 r e ide F tme i i v t isits t r a tin ies idu om theroo b
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u we i licity. Ticket-holders view beautiful homes of all types, from from types, homeslicity. Ticket-holders of all beautiful view pub gain artists and decorators, interior landscapers, neers, engi architects, Local renovations. their and treasures their off show proudly Homeowners deal. great a accomplishes and Tour House many the it benefits in because interested I was Tour then–House Harvey, publicity. with chair, Gail assisted of south tour Slope) of the first the Area hosted Southern rosas 1979, and Peter Altschuler By 1976, In Tour House blocks. the multiple to expanded Slope brownstone. aPark purchase to decided they went 1963Tour; on House the aresult, as preservationists, Slope Park Ortner, Evelyn late longtime the and Everett a que ll n v s Eighth Street. Posters made by local students, with Park Park with students, Posters made by local Street. Eighth fto schedule ices tailor
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Slope history as their theme, were posted along along were theme, posted their as Slope history e o Great Neighborhoods in America.” in Great Neighborhoods can Planning Association called “one 10 of called the Association Planning can n d and f ferent Slope, a community that the Ameri the that ferent Slope, acommunity Candace Woodward, a Civic Council trustee trustee Woodward, Council aCivic Candace g course, House Tour House amuch dif see course, visitors e t down, and crime was an issue. Today, issue. an was crime and down, of o day before to generate interest. day before generate to interest. man gave a South Slope walking tour the the tour gaveSlope walking aSouth man the tour route. John Muir and Carl Kaiser Carl and route. Muir John tour the The Park Slope of that era was run run was that era Slope of The Park for historical information. historical for Kaiserman Carl trustee former thank Cook Woodward Darryl and Candace Tour— House Chairs Committee parkslopeciviccouncil.org. Tour.House at housetour@ us E-mail forward.” of it moving apart being to look forward and opportunity get the year, Iwill “Now this said. Slope,” of Park Cook culture and tory his the to for exposure its tour the much more be to involvedvery in Slope my home.Park calling ayear, Iwas Within Brooklyn. here in neighborhood amazing this find to Iwas how and surprised was, beautiful and inviting the streetscape Avenue.on Fifth Iremember how who lived some friends see to hattan 1999, outin of Man when Iventured was Slope to Park visit “Mychair. first committee as over fortaking prepare to year Woodwardwork this with the Civic Council grants program.” Tour House the of course, And funds lofts. contemporary to homes frame wood- to brownstones traditional You, the get involved in can too, I wanted Iknew “As architect, an will trustee, anew Cook, Darryl (Revitalization of the the of (Revitalization
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Civic News | Fall 2011 09 House Tour Civic News | Fall 2011 10 Community Support e-mail [email protected]. e-mail learn more, including notifications of upcoming meetings, To clean! and calm, Slope keepbeautiful, to Park goal It’sand neighborhood! our neighbors our affecting issues communities. our in stations ated “out situ box,” of the some recommend smartly we could Committee. Council’s Civic of the Livable Streets chair the is Lief Judith of Park Neighbors; Slope co-founder McClure is — Eric GAPCo +Livable Streets The Civic Council Supporters Our Thanking See the back page or visit parkslopeciviccouncil.org/joinus. back page or visit the See year: the past over greaterbacking thecommunity in efforts who our have given supporters other and benefactors, patrons, members, professional and business our to recognition special We beyond. Slope and give Park to in members like would Crown Heights North Association, Inc. Inc. Association, North Heights Crown Livable Streets is always open to recommendations and and recommendations open to always is Streets Livable You, amember or renew become atlevel. any can too, Constance and Henry Christensen and Henry Constance Michael and Michele Amoroso and Michele Michael Heights Berkeley Realty, Berkeley Heights Inc . Elizabeth and MitchellElizabeth King Gregory and Lauree HickokGregory Yanis and Laila Bibelnieks Irvin and Mary Anderson Anderson Mary and Irvin Beverly and Mark Cheffo Mark and Beverly Stephen and Betty Kahn Betty and Stephen Edward Jones Investing Investing Jones Edward Ginny and Kevin Brooks Kevin and Ginny Ann and Mark Gallops Ann and Mark Alan andBeller Leslie Jim and Diane Goetz Diane and Jim Pat and Russ Brooks Russ and Pat Grand Prospect Hall Hall Prospect Grand Bogota Latin Bistro Bistro Latin Bogota Huberto Gutierrez Huberto George Boziwick Lydia Denworth Lydia Freeman Realty Freeman Realty Marlene Holtan Melvin Brender Ron Daignault Mark Kleiman Mark Edward Fusco Dale Fournier Robert Braun Robert Mark Caserta Michael Kaye Michael John Herbert Michael Cairl Michael Carole Gould Carole Mark Groves Mark Peter Bray Marcia Ely Isabel Hill Isabel Julie Kay SJ Avery SJ Lyn Hill Lyn appreciates all the support from our our from support the all appreciates Elizabeth H. and Jerome B. Schneewind B. Jerome and H. Elizabeth New York State Department of State of Department York State New Daniel M. and Marian Knowles Marian and M. Daniel John and Rosemary Villanella Rosemary and John Thomas M. and Jerri S. Mayer S. Jerri and M. Thomas New York Methodist Hospital Hospital York Methodist New Steven Sommers Real Estate Estate Real Sommers Steven James T. and Elizabeth Ryan T. Elizabeth James and Jamie and Marty Markowitz Marty and Jamie Vincent and Mary A. Tirolo A. Mary and Vincent Park Slope 5th Avenue BID BID 5th Avenue Slope Park Michael andWeiser Galen Michael Stuart and Jeanette Pertz Jeanette and Stuart Jonas and Marie Nachsin Marie and Jonas Prospect Park Residence Prospect David and Cynthia Sachs Cynthia and David Jerry and Joan Schieber Jerry Jay and Elaine Unkeless Smolin & Altamura LLP LLP &Altamura Smolin Ed and Mary McDonald Mary and Ed New York City Council Council York City New Melissa Wohlgemuth Melissa Park Slope Day Camp Camp Day Slope Park Park Slope Midwives Midwives Slope Park Ellen Sporn and Sam Warren Lewis Realty Warren Lewis Realty Robert MacLagger Robert from page 3 page from Phyllis Spielman Phyllis Julie Thompson Jennifer Teusch Dino Veronese Carl Podwoski Ken Levenson Ken Joan Millman Joan Allan Kramer
Adam White Adam Tom Sawyer Tom Bert Marro Bert Don Wiss Saul Raw Saul
- Postal Statement www.parkslopeciviccouncil.org Photos: David Herman Park Slope Civic Council Civic Slope Park you’veIf been on aMegaprojectKeeping Eye an development of the site and for transparency and account and development for site and transparency of the BrooklynSpeaks. as known initiative an in advocates transportation and planning citywide and groups, merchant organizations, housing affordable associations, civic hood neighbor other with partnered Council Slope Civic Park the 2006 That’sin why well. as borough but for entire the Hill Clinton Greene, Fort and Heights, Brooklyn Hill, Boerum Heights, Slope, Prospect of Park for neighborhoods just the stake, not is at Much officials. elected local and boards nity ( Ratner City Forest developer Yards to at Atlantic authority delegated decision-making York’s Empire State Development Corporation ( Corporation Development York’s State Empire New projects, financed publicly large, other Unlike gresses. pro project how this in communities surrounding the given when? 22-acre site, and of the rest the of become will What remains: still of all question biggest the And are revealed. traffic affecting plans as more real becomes on intersection Brooklyn’s congested ing most converg morecars thousands of threat The reality. to-day day- to discussion of academic realm have moved the from —grow, impacts the and precincts police of three nexus the at —and neighborhoods residential amid arena an locating of away, 12 months challenges about the than concerns less opening its With now is certain. arena’s the it, existence about views your Whatever shape. taking arena Center clays 18 Bar you the haveAvenues seen months, last the during The BrooklynSpeaks sponsors advocate for sponsors principled The BrooklynSpeaks One thing that has not changed is the utter lack of lack voice utter the is not changed has that One thing 339A 7thAve., NY11215 |718-499-9734 Brooklyn, Robert Goodman, FinancialAdvisor Robert past the corner of Flatbush and Atlantic Atlantic and corner of Flatbush the past fcr ), circumventing commu esdc ) has ) has ------able housing now able housing afford jobsand velopment promised the deliver site to of the opened a path foropened apath Governor Cuomo’s esdc favor have our in decision court for the map and oversight Together, not have could done individually. tions road our organiza what our together complished ruling. court’s the have appealed esdc Both plan. the consider re and analyses environmental mental supple perform to agency the ordered and plan, when it approved 2009 the esdc that ruled court July, This the off. havenership paid plan’s legality. 2009 against suit filed Council, Slope Civic Park the including sponsors, forever. BrooklynSpeaks Several if not off decades, be pushed for would Yards were justified for Atlantic funds public which job under creation and ing affordablehous benefits of The neighborhoods. our blight would construction of 15 years Yards. That tic additional fcr esdc in June 2011, over the intense lobbying of fcr 2011, June in lobbying over intense the Assembly the passed legislation the Senator Montgomery; by State andcosponsored Millman, and Brennan, Jeffries, by Assemblymembers 2008 June in introduced was ernance Yards Atlanticgov reform of targeting bill first The ward. for move and this consensus build to legislators local with meet to continue sponsors BrooklynSpeaks traction. gain to legislation state but it requires alike, critics and supporters officials. elected local with conjunction clude independentin appointed members in would that of directors aboard made through be would Decisions organizations. civic and boards, community tors, legisla roles for local formal Yards provides that oversight for aroadmap reform of Atlantic published BrooklynSpeaks fcr in ability BrooklynSpeaks sponsors have ac sponsors BrooklynSpeaks part and persistence Here again, against astand took also sponsors BrooklynSpeaks This roadmap for reform has been praised by project by project been praised for roadmap has reform This 25 years or more to complete construction of Atlan of construction complete to more or years 25 ’s secretly renegotiated concession in 2009 to allow allow to 2009 ’s renegotiated concession in secretly esdc , challenging the the , challenging fcr and ’s relationship with the project. In 2007, In project. the ’s with relationship , not decades from now. from , not decades Working part in acted illegally illegally acted Council’s first vice president. vice Council’s first Civic the is Schindler Lauri and Democratic District’s leader; district 52nd Assembly the Jo Simon Anne is Council; Development borhood Neigh Heights Prospect of the board of the — Gib Veconi amember is works for Brooklyn. truly Yards Atlantic up until speak to tinue con We’ll input. public representative with Yards at Atlantic development responsible fiscally and sustainable, sensible, to ment communities of our commit the demonstrated have sponsors BrooklynSpeaks nership, the and fcr and - - -
- - to restructure de restructure to . - -
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