November 5, 2009

Closing Bell: Greening of Greenpoint

Over in Greenpoint, Sargent William Dougherty Playground (which is located here) is getting a makeover, notes New York Shitty. The underused 0.76-acre park appears to be getting five large planters.

October 29, 2009

East River State Park Makeover

Since it opened back in the summer of 2007, East River State Park along the Williamsburg waterfront has been marked by its understated lack of amenities which, combined with a couple of artifacts from the site's former industrial life, gave it a kind of rustic charm. But thanks to a private group, the park is now set to get a playground. The "green" addition will feature all-wooden structures in addition to a play train that gives a nod to when the parkland was a railyard. "It's not going to be the same cookie-cutter playground that's usually found in state parks," said Friends of East River State Park President Cathleen Breen. "It's going to be a green, innovative playground."
Train's a Rollin' for Formerly Closed Williamsburg Park [NY Daily News]
Photo by Timothy Caldwell

October 21, 2009

Gatehouses Land in Brooklyn Bridge Park

While Matt Damon filmed his latest movie at Fulton Ferry Landing yesterday, Brooklyn Bridge Park received delivery of the gatehouses at both Pier 1 next door and Pier 6 down by Atlantic Avenue. The gatehouses, which, as we understand it, will house mechanicals as well as mark the entrances to the park, were manufactured off-site in New Jersey before being trucked in. They will eventually be clad in wood verticals using old growth long leaf southern yellow pine salvaged from the Cold Storage Building being demolished at Pier 1. How cool is that!

October 5, 2009

Brooklyn Bridge Park: Progress and Funding

Blogs, magazines, and other media have enjoyed observing the progress of Brooklyn Bridge Park along the former industrial parks south of the bridge, and this weekend NY1 joined the crowd. The report covers what you already know and many Brooklynites are eagerly anticipating—the playgrounds, fields, greenery, scenery, views, boating, etc.—but also mentions the nitty gritty of its current funding. The $100 million piers, Pier 1 and Pier 6, should be finished by December. The city and state have committed to $225 million for the entire park, but NY1 mentions that not all of these funds are available. The president of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation says that they will be able to fund the rest of the project, the space between the two piers, over the next four years.
Brooklyn Bridge Park's Spiral Pool Taking Shape [Brownstoner]
Brooklyn Bridge Park Takes Shape [NY1]
Rendering via Brooklynbridgeparknyc.org

September 29, 2009

Court Denies Williamsburg Power Plant

On September 9, Transgas Energy Systems began pleading its case in Brooklyn appellate court for its right to build a power plant along the East River near Kent Avenue and North 12th Street. On September 22, however, the court decided against Transgas. Neighbors Allied for Good Growth posted the full decision on its website, mentioning that Transgas still retains the right to appeal, however slim its chances. If the appeal process fails or the courts deny Transgas the right to appeal, then the city will continue the process of condemning the site, the former Bayside Fuel Depot, so that it can be included in Bushwick Inlet Park.
Court Hears Case for Greenpoint Power Plant [Brownstoner]
Power Plant Proposal in Death Throes [NAG]
Photo by Curbed

September 17, 2009

Ace Plan for Tennis-Friendly McCarren Makeover

McCarren Park has the space and the potential to be an incredible tennis facility but unfortunately the city has let the current courts deteriorate to the point where they're barely usable. Frustrated by this situation, a group of regulars has decided to try to take matters into their own hands. The band of self-described tennis nuts has envisioned a multi-step, multi-year plan for turning McCarren into a tennis center to rival the one in Prospect Park. And why not? In the short-term, all the group (called McCarren Tennis) is trying to accomplish is a simple resurfacing and installation of wind screens; they've already gotten the support of the Open Space Alliance for that. Stages 2, 3 and 4 involve the addition of more courts and the creation of a pavilion in the middle of them all. Ambitious? Sure. Crazy? Not really. All the developers who still have skin in the game in the neighborhood should be lining up to write a check for this. Not everyone will be pleased with the idea--some of the folks who enjoy a good game of concrete softball on the adjacent lot, for example. They might not realize, however, that the entire area was originally devoted exclusively to tennis once upon a time. To get the ball rolling, the group is holding a fundraiser tournament on the weekend of October 10th with a DJ party on Saturday night when the tennis is wrapped up. More info here.

September 14, 2009

The City Makes Headway at Greenpoint Waterfront Site

The City has been trying for several months to acquire 65 Commercial Street, a site at the mouth of Newton Creek in northern Greenpoint, from its current owner, the MTA, in order to build a waterfront park. The MTA, which currently parks buses on the lot, has already agreed in writing to turn the site over to the city, as long as the city provides a viable alternative. So far, the MTA has rejected sites proposed by the city, even though it has already relocated the buses in question. But now, Brooklyn 11211 reports that the MTA has agreed to two possible sites. The next step is for the city to conduct a feasibility study, which should be completed by the end of the month. If the city succeeds in acquiring the land, it plans on building a waterfront esplanade as well as selling air rights to the neighboring site for a development that would include 200 units of affordable housing. GMAP
Progress at 65 Commercial Street [Brooklyn 11211]
Not a Park: 65 Commercial Street [Brooklyn 11211]
Photo by Bridge and Tunnel Club

September 8, 2009

Brooklyn Bridge Park's Spiral Pool Taking Shape

The blog McBrooklyn recently posted a photo of the spiral pool at Pier 2 of Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is taking shape nicely. The park is looking more and more like the renderings, which is good news for Brooklynites, who have been eagerly awaiting the park's completion for some time now.
The Spiral Pool Takes Shape at Brooklyn Bridge Park [McBrooklyn]

August 19, 2009

Cleaning Prospect Park Lake

A reader kindly sent us a link to a clean-up project for Prospect Park Lake. We spoke to Tami, the organizer, who has set up a donation site at Ioby as well as a Facebook page. Tami, who has lived in Brooklyn for eight years, hopes to raise at least $400 in order to rent paddle boats and buy supplies to pick up litter in and around the lake on September 19, which is International Coastal Clean-up Day. She has received the support of the Prospect Park Alliance, and any extra funds she receives will go to the Alliance for future park preservation. The impetus for the project came when Tami took a tour of the lake last spring on the Independence, an electric boat, and she saw birds' nests, babies hatching, aquatic life such as turtles and bass, and trash. Plenty of trash. Her tour guide said there used to be a green team for the lake, but it has since dissolved. "As I was walking around the lake to take pictures," Tami said, "couples on the boats would say 'Oh my god, it's so gross in here.'" Tami has at least 20 volunteers so far for the September 19 event, and is still accepting volunteers or donations.

August 14, 2009

Brooklyn Bridge Park's Grand Staircase

When you're biking along Furman Street, or driving along the BQE and looking down at the piers, can't you just picture Brooklyn Bridge Park? We sure do. Ever since they placed dozens of trees ready for planting at the edge of the construction site, the anticipation for the park has been growing. Fueling the excitement even more, NewYorkology posted some excellent photos of the partially finished grand staircase, and the New York Post and NewYorkology give us a photo tour of the entire park.
Grand Staircase Installed [NewYorkology]
A Walk in the Park [NY Post]
Brooklyn Bridge Park Watch [Curbed]
Photo by Amy Langfield/NewYorkology

Hot Cash Injection for Fort Greene Park

Good news for the residents of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill: Fort Greene Park will be getting a $300,000 injection if the Senate signs off on the House version of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010. “Fort Greene is one of the great historical landmarks in the country but, unfortunately, many areas in the park have fallen into disrepair,” said Rep. Ed Towns, whose district stretches from Fort Greene to Canarsie. The money's expected to go towards repairing sidewalks and signage as well as improving the landscaping around the Martyrs Monument, reported The Eagle. “Fort Greene is one of the great historical landmarks in the country but, unfortunately, many areas in the park have fallen into disrepair,” said Rep. Ed Towns, whose district stretches from Fort Greene to Canarsie. “These additional funds will help restore the park’s natural beauty and directly improve the Fort Greene neighborhood.”
Historic Ft. Greene Park In Line for Federal Funds [Brooklyn Eagle]
Photo by b'klynborn

August 5, 2009

Brooklyn Bridge Park Construction Update

If you haven't been for a stroll along the promenade or Furman Street recently, you'll want to check out this slideshow that Gothamist posted today that provides a comprehensive, and close-up, look at how the construction of Brooklyn Bridge Park is coming.

July 24, 2009

Dean Street Turf Field Delayed

dean%20street%20turf%20fiel%2007%202009.JPG
A reader wrote in to ask what's going on with the Parks Dept's installation of synthetic turf at the Dean Street Playground, which is between 6th Ave and Carlton: "They refinished the concrete ball field several months ago with asphalt, in preparation for a new synthetic turf. Everything seemed to be moving forward as they began to roll out the new turf, however they then started pulling the turf back up! It has been in this condition for over a month now!" As we covered a month ago, the field was slated to be done in May but the Parks Dept. says it has been having trouble getting the turf to adhere to the asphalt. The latest line on the situation, via a Parks spokesperson reached yesterday, is as follows: "Heavy rains prevented the initial installation of the turf so we will attempt to do so again this August." We'll see.
New Turf Field On the Way in Prospect Heights [Brownstoner] GMAP

July 22, 2009

Sunset Park Waterfront Vision Plan

On Monday, Mayor Bloomberg, joined by Brooklyn Chamber head Carl Hum and Borough President Marty Markowitz among other public officials, announced the city's plan to invest $165 million (alongside another $105 million from the state) to revitalize commercial activity along the Sunset Park Waterfront. "On Brooklyn's waterfront, the City has a unique opportunity to build upon existing assets - including a talented workforce and industrial and maritime infrastructure - to create permanent industrial jobs," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Through a series of investments aimed at bringing aging infrastructure to good repair, professionalizing maritime and rail service, and increasing and diversifying job-intensive industrial uses along the waterfront, the Sunset Park Waterfront Vision Plan lays out a series of short and long-term steps to strengthen the area as a center for industrial growth. Specific initiatives include an $80 million overhaul of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, an $8.6 million modernization of the Bush Terminal and improvement of the freight rail service in the area. Another $37 million is slated to build the Bush Terminal Piers Park, which will add 22 acres of open space through the remediation of a former brownfield. Check out the full-length press release here.

New Ferry Service Between Brooklyn and Guvs Island!

In about half an hour, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will hold a press conference on the waterfront to announce the creation of a new water taxi dock on Pier 6 that will provide direct ferry service between the park and Governors Island. Having had to shlepp to lower Manhattan last Sunday to access the island, we're pretty freakin' psyched about this news! On the jump, check out a current photo of how the park construction is proceeding on Pier 6, click through below.

Continue reading "New Ferry Service Between Brooklyn and Guvs Island!"

July 7, 2009

BBG Visitor Center Design Unveiled, Award Announced

Yesterday the Brooklyn Botanic Garden gave the public its first views of its new Visitor Pavilion and announced that the design by Manhattan-based Weiss/Manfredi had won the Award for Excellence in Design by the Public Design Commission of the City of New York. There's lot of detail (and more renderings) over on the BBG site about the environmentally-friendly building, but the center, to be located at 900 Washington Avenue, will house new garden shop, an orientation room for tours and classes, an information desk, an event space, a refreshment bar, and restrooms.
A New Visitor Center [BBG]

June 29, 2009

New Turf Field On the Way in Prospect Heights

dean%20st%20playground.JPG
Artificial turf is in the process of being put down at the Dean Street Playground, which is between 6th Avenue and Carlton. The project was supposed to be finished last month, according to a Parks Dept. worker who was on the site last week, and the new target completion date is this Thursday. The Parks employee said the contractor on the job has been having trouble getting the turf to adhere to the playground's asphalt surface. In addition to the synthetic turf, the ballfield is slated to have new dugouts and spectator benches. GMAP

June 22, 2009

It's Official: Nouvel, Pretty Ponies Coming to BBP

janes%20carousel.jpg On Saturday the governor's office issued a press release confirming the rumor that Jane Walentas's carousel will have a home in Brooklyn Bridge Park: "Jane Walentas has agreed to donate her restored 1920s carousel, along with a pavilion and $3.45 million toward landscaping and improvements to BBPDC. The Carousel will be located on the western edge of the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park inside the pavilion designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel. Ms. Walentas will also establish a non-profit entity, 'Friends of Jane’s Carousel,' responsible for carousel operations, expenses and revenue collection." A New York mag story from a year ago about Walentas's campaign to get the carousel in the park said Nouvel's design for the enclosure involves a glass-walled structure in which the horses' shadows prance "on the pavilion’s glass wall as they revolve by night."
Governor Paterson Announces Major Step for Brooklyn Bridge Park [Room 8]
Jane's Carousel Bound for Brooklyn Bridge Park [Brownstoner]
Photo by kdollnyc.

June 17, 2009

No, They're Not Building a New Boat House in Prospect Park

If you're a Forum visitor, you may have noticed Bob Marvin's post on Monday about a strange building rising on the peninsula in Prospect Park. Turns out it's part of the set for a Tina Fey/Steve Carell movie that's scheduled to be filming today. Prospect Park is standing in for the Central Park Boat House, it turns out. To see a photo of the behind-the-scenes construction click through below.

Continue reading "No, They're Not Building a New Boat House in Prospect Park"

New Street Furniture Outside Borough Hall

Al fresco lunching just got a whole lot easier for the Downtown business crowd. Yesterday the Court-Livingston-Schermerhorn BID set up 25 tables and 80 chairs in Columbus Park, the public plaza in front of the steps to Borough Hall. The street furniture, which is on loan from the Montague Street BID, will be set up through mid-October. Bravo!!

June 11, 2009

BBPDC To Assume Control of Fulton Ferry State Park

In a step that should help streamline the efforts at creating one long continuous park along the Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo waterfront, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation will assume management responsibility for the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park under a 99-year lease deal with the State. In addition to coordinating maintenance and programming, reports The Eagle, the move will also put the BBPDC in charge of booking the Tobacco Warehouse and overseeing the restoration of the Empire Stores.
Bridge Park Corporation To Take Over Empire Park [Brooklyn Eagle]

June 9, 2009

Checking In On Albee Square

The creation of a 17,000-square-foot public plaza in the Fulton Mall that will be known as Albee Square is well underway. The portion of Dekalb Avenue that is being included in the paved public space has been decommissioned already and the park is is expected to be operational, at least in part, by the holiday season. According to the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership website, Albee Square "will contain new seating, distinctive lighting, and landscaping."
Prepping for the Public Plaza on Fulton Mall [Brownstoner]
Big Plans for Fulton Mall Makeover [Brownstoner]

June 5, 2009

Ferry Service to Governor's Island Starts This Weekend!

Via Lost City comes a reminder that tomorrow marks the inaugural run of the new ferry service from Brooklyn to Governor's Island. On Saturday, the ferry will leave Fulton Ferry Landing at 11:15 a.m. and every hour thereafter until 4:15 p.m.; there's no Brooklyn service on Sunday and you'll need to consult the ferry schedule to find out when it will run again. Photo by roboppy.

June 4, 2009

Brooklyn Bridge Park Benefit on Rain or Shine

Just a reminder for everyone coming to tonight's Sunset Psychedelic party being thrown by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy on Pier 5 at 6 pm: The party is rain or shine! There are two large tents, so even if Mother Nature isn't cooperating, there will be plenty of space to enjoy the music, art, dancing and food. More info here.

June 1, 2009

Coney Arena Opponents Now Dwelling on Sound

When plans for the $64 million Coney Island concert arena championed by Borough Prez Marty Markowitz were revealed earlier this year, there was the inevitable outcry from naysayers in the neighborhood. At first, the opposition said the money should be spent on schools instead. More recently, a local synagogue has threatened to invoke an obscure law prohibiting amplified sound within 500 feet of religious buildings while services are taking place; this could pose a particular problem given that synagogues tend to be in session on Friday and Saturday nights just when you'd want to be having the highest profile concerts. The architects behind the project spoke out in the Daily News yesterday to explain that the new set-up would actually result in less noise for the nabe: "The same concert turned to the same volume won't sound as loud," said Mark Husser, an architect at Grimshaw, the international firm drawing up plans for the proposed Coney Island Center inside Asser Levy Park. "I've entertained the people in that neighborhood since 1991," added Markowitz. "I've put a smile on their face for 31 years. Why would I want them to frown?"
Planners Try to Hush Asser Levy Critics [NY Daily News]
Coney's Potato Chip Amphitheater Revealed [Brownstoner]
Community Concerns About Marty's Coney Concert Space [Brownstoner]

Parks