BROOKLYN’S REAL NEWSPAPERS Including The Bensonhurst Paper Published every Saturday — online all the time — by Brooklyn Paper Publications Inc, 55 Washington St, Suite 624, Brooklyn NY 11201. Phone 718-834-9350 • www.BrooklynPapers.com • © 2005 Brooklyn Paper Publications • 16 pages •Vol. 28, No. 20 BRZ • Saturday, May 14, 2005 • FREE UN may move to B’klyn By Jotham Sederstrom The Brooklyn Papers The county of Kings is poised to add pres- idents, prime ministers and diplomats to its roster. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a report he issued Tuesday that the United Nations — looking for a temporary home while its iconic glass-and- steel headquarters on the East River gets a long- overdue renovation — may have found commer- cial space in Downtown Brooklyn that could serve its Secretariat and General Assembly needs. The United Nations has a staff of nearly 3,000 and its General Assembly meetings requires a con- ference hall big enough to seat 1,800. But far from languishing, as plans to expand in Manhattan have, the interest from the United Na- tions could help spur new development in Down- town Brooklyn, which passed a major rezoning ini- tiative in August but has failed so far to see much new construction sprout forth. “It’s going to be a reminder to a lot of people that Downtown Brooklyn is successful and a real downtown,” said Kenneth Adams, president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. “Even if it’s only temporary, it puts Brooklyn on the internation- al stage. Think of it — Geneva, the Hague, Brus- sels and now Downtown Brooklyn. It’s in the com- pany of classic European cities.” The report assessed where things stand with plans to renovate the U.N. Secretariat building, which was considered modern when it was con- structed 50 years ago but now violates most New York City fire and safety codes. The 38-story tower has no sprinkler system, is packed with asbestos and leaks about 25 percent of the heat pumped into it in the winter. Annan said a search of more than 100 properties in Manhattan turned up nothing that satisfied its / Richard Drew / Richard needs for both office and conference space. One pos- sibility that planners looked at was 7 World Trade Cen- ter, which is expected to open next year, officials said. A major issue is figuring out where to hold the annual General Assembly debate when world lead- Associated Press ers descend on New York for several days. The Brooklyn space, likely within the boundaries of the new zoning plan, could fit the bill, Annan’s re- Will the world port indicated. The report estimated that the Brook- lyn site would cost the United Nations between $211 million and $220 million and would include needed come to Brooklyn? conference space. A Midtown Manhattan location, Brooklyn is America’s melting pot, with an abundant rep- on the other hand, would cost between $221 million resentation of the world’s races, religions and cultures. and $230 million, plus another $45 million for con- Soon, the borough may take an even larger spot on the ference space, according to the report. world’s stage, if U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s The Downtown Brooklyn Plan adopted last Au- suggestion comes to pass and Downtown Brooklyn hosts gust hopes to encourage more than 6 million square the United Nations — including its staff of nearly 3,000 feet of office development and 1 million square and an 1,800-seat auditorium for General Assembly / David Karp feet of retail and residential development — in part meetings — during the several years the international by allowing buildings to rise up to 400 feet — and body’s eastside Manhattan headquarters (right) are ren- thus help retain back-office space in the city and ovated. Above, President Bush addresses the 58th Gen- keep corporations from fleeing to New Jersey. eral Assembly at U.N. headquarters on Sept. 23, 2003. Associated Press See U.N. on page 12 Civil libertarians Don’t overdevelop delay cyber law By Jotham Sederstrom A spokesman for the New York Civil us, ’Hurst tells Marty The Brooklyn Papers Liberties Union said on Wednesday that Following criticism from civil the legislation, as is, would unfairly bar liberties advocates, the City Council kids from entering the Internet-access By Jotham Sederstrom businesses during school hours without The Brooklyn Papers postponed a vote Wednesday on parental guidance or proof that they had legislation seeking to place sig- already graduated high school. At first glance, the media-savvy nificant restrictions on Internet Owners of the so-called cyber cafes, activists of Prospect Heights and the cafes, which while comparative- meanwhile, say that the proposed amend- working-class families of Benson- ly free of trouble in Manhattan ment to the city’s administrative code hurst seem the dictionary definition of have been marred by violence in misses the point, in part by limiting penal- “odd couple.” Brooklyn and Queens. See CYBER on page 4 But faced with a rash of what they de- scribe as predatory development, nearly a hundred homeowners and other residents turned out for a town hall meeting spon- sored by Borough President Marty Marko- / Tom Callan / Tom witz and saw past their differences. Norwegian birthday The majority of attendees in the audito- rium of Seth Low Intermediate School, on Avenue P at West 11th Street Tuesday The Brooklyn Papers The Brooklyn night called upon elected politicians to parade on Sunday quash out-of-character new construction in both the brownstone-dominated neighbor- The Brooklyn Papers once bursting Scandinavian roots. Unveiled hoods of Prospect Heights and Park Slope Like a Viking to water, thou- That’s not to say there isn’t still Callan / Tom “Beacon,” the 25-foot-tall, 5,500-pound and the detached and semi-detached land- sands of people of Norwegian de- a strong Norwegian presence in scapes of Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst. scent who planted roots in Brook- monument to Brooklyn’s victims of the the neighborhood. terrorist attacks on the World Trade Cen- [The next overdevelopment meeting, ac- lyn before moving elsewhere will “No doubt about it, this is a very big ter, was installed on the 69th Street Pier in cording to Markowitz’s Web site, is sched- return this weekend for the city’s month for all of us,” said Kenneth Bay Ridge last week in anticipation of its uled for May 31 at 6 pm. It will be held at 54th Annual Norwegian Constitu- Johnson, general chairman of the pa- official unveiling on May 16, at 10:30 am. a public school in Marine Park, at 1925 Papers The Brooklyn tion Day Parade, an event that each rade committee. Artist Robert Ressler created the depic- Stuart St. at Fillmore Avenue.] “When God takes me home, that’s when I’m leaving,” said Angelo Ripillino, May reunites Bay Ridge with its See NORWAY on page 4 tion of a firefighter’s bugle laid on its bell. See DON’T DEVELOP on page 12 who lives in the Mapleton section of Borough Park, at Tuesday’s town hall. “Every secondcounts.” Get regular checkups. Consult the MMC website at www.maimonidesmed.org World-class care... closer to home for free seminars. Call 888-662-6463 for a free brochure on the latest in stroke care, prevention tips, and technologies. PREVENTION ■ DIAGNOSIS ■ TREATMENT ■ REHABILITATION ■ RESEARCH ©The Brooklyn Papers. Established 1978. Phone 718-834-9350. Celia Weintrob, Publisher (ext 104) • Neil Sloane, Editor (ext 119) • Lisa J. Curtis, GO Brooklyn Editor (ext 131) • Vince DiMiceli, Senior Editor (ext 125) • Ed Weintrob, President (ext 105) 2 BRZ THE BROOKLYN PAPERS • WWW.BROOKLYNPAPERS.COM May 14, 2005 B’klyn’s real Team of burglars newspapers Bars and Restaurants are B’klyn’s hit 2 apartments Welcome! By Jotham Sederstrom Police say that the men had begun feuding at 3 #1 Ad Media The Brooklyn Papers pm on May 9, just feet from bustling 86th Street on 23rd Avenue. As the fight became more heated, A burglar doubled his pleasure by raid- however, one of the men revealed a gun and began ing two ground-floor apartments May 5 at shooting, even as crowds passed by on 86th Street. the same Bay Ridge address just as the Police say the not-so-sure-shot missed his sun was coming up. mark and his intended target was uninjured. Police say the crook slipped into the building Cops arrested a 24-year-old suspect. The essential guide to the Borough of Kings on Battery Avenue at 88th Street through a rear window, being careful not to wake tenants when Hammer time he arrived at 6 am. A pair of thugs gave new meaning to the Phone (718) 834-9350 At the first apartment, the thief snatched phrase ‘hammer time’ after they walloped a 23- Email [email protected] $150, plus a pair of watches valued at $350 year-old man on the head with the blunt tool. apiece and a $400 digital camera. At the second Police say that the dangerous duo approached apartment, however, he scored a $600 diamond the man inside his apartment building on Bay ring and $500 topaz ring, as well as a second 29th Street at 86th Street on May 5 at around camera, worth $250. 8:15 pm. Without a word, say police, the men Last call revealed what the victim thought to be a ham- WHY ADVERTISE? mer and began pounding away. After the victim The only way to ensure a steady flow of new customers is to advertise! By The next round is on the burglars.