Affordable Local Housing

Thirty-seven affordable new housing units have been put in a lottery in the Brownsville neighborhood.  The eight floor building – known as Edwin’s Place – has set prices which begin at just $666 a month.   There are 26 one-bed units; 9 two-bed units and 2 three-bed units.  Prices are capped at $1,279 per month. The building – currently under construction – will comprise 24-hour security, a computer lab, garden, laundry room, storage for bikes and a workout room.   Architects are Robert A. M. Stern and Breaking Ground developers.  In 2018 the land became an LLC, having previously been an HPD. Housing unit applications must be submitted by July 8, 2020.

In addition, 10 days ago a lottery for income-restricted units in Brooklyn was launched. The two buildings have been earmarked to make up for those 100 or so families/individuals who have been on the waitlist in the Crown Heights/Prospect Heights neighborhoods. The location – 816 Washington Avenue and 615 Sterling Place is in walking distance from the Botanic Garden, Brooklyn Museum, the central branch of Brooklyn Public Library, Mount Prospect Park. The construction was completed last year. Applications close June 12, 2020.

Seniors, Social Distancing and Isolation: Finding a Solution

Social distancing can be incredibly isolating for everyone but especially those who are not able to connect virtually.  That category of people is often the elderly population, many whom do not even own devices that can enable them to connect to the rest of the world.

Thanks to Mayor Bill de Blasio, that problem may be solved.  With a program that has received $5 million in funding, 10,000 seniors who live in NYC Housing Authority units will be getting tablets connected to the web.  Initially this program will start in Brooklyn and thereafter be in other regions around NYC.  As well as providing the tablets to the seniors, they will receive help through the phone to guide them through the process of becoming web-savvy.

This announcement was given as part of a larger approach to the fight against COVID-19 which includes walk-in testing for the novel coronavirus at these housing developments as well.

Beer in Brooklyn?

A little over a month ago, permission was given by NY governor Andrew Cuomo for stores to sell alcoholic beverages “for takeout from the licensed premises or delivered to the customer’s residence.”    According to NYC Brewers Guild Ann Reilly, the NY State Liquor Authority responded to the challenge COVID-19 is posing for these businesses and substantially relaxed takeaway, to-go and packaging regulations.

One such brewery is Brooklyn’s Threes Brewing which is “aspir[ing] to connect people to each other over good beer.”  Since COVID-19 is preventing that possibility within the brewery’s bars, they are still committed to their customers in their homes.  They can buy beer for “delivery, shipping or no touch pick-up.”

Threes Brewing CEO and co-founder Joshua Stylman reported that because of what’s been happening, he had to lay off the majority of his staff.  Those who remained took a dip in salaries.  The work that is being done however is same-day delivery in New York City and shipping throughout New York State. Pickup is also available.

The NYC Brewers Guild is now regularly updating their website with information on what local breweries are allowed to do in real time.

Local Eateries Partner with the LEE Initiative

Chef Greg Baxtrom of Brooklyn’s Olmsted restaurant discusses how his partnership with The LEE Initiative is assisting his working since the Covid-19 outbreak.

Kindness in the time of COVID-19

There is a worldwide crisis.  Coronavirus.  COVID-19.   Call it what you will.  But while we are all scared and practicing social distancing and taking care of ourselves as best we can, we are faced with a choice:  will we be kind or selfish?  Look at what we can do for others (while being safe) or make like it’s not our problem?

Here in Crown Heights, some people are really focused on what they can do for others.  One example is the restaurant, The Bergen which recently began giving out free meals to children and their families in the local community.  Thanks to Ty Brown who owns the restaurant, these individuals are getting food.  And while his business is down, he is able to give out this free food thanks to generous donations from local New Yorkers.

Initially the restaurant was delivery free brown-bag lunches for school children but once schools closed they found another way to help.

There is always a way to help. No matter what the situation. It’s just a matter of choice.

Generosity in Greenpoint

These are hard times.  Really tough financially, emotionally, physically and more.  But then at other times you get to see the true kindness, the selfless actions, the people – even though they too are going through their own set of very harsh challenges – are reaching out to others and saying ‘here, let me help.’

That is what local Brooklyn landlord Mario Salerno is doing. He owns approximately 80 apartments and has told his tenants (around 200 in all) that he is waiving rend for the month of April as he just “wants everybody to be healthy.”

One of his tenants described him as “Superman…a wonderful man,” relating how she has been out of work since she had to close down her hair salon.  Even though Salerno is taking a big hit he explained:

“it was more important for people's health and worrying about who could put food on whose table. I say don't worry about paying me, worry about your neighbor and worry about your family."

One of his tenants said she's been out of work since she was ordered to shut down her hair salon. "He's Superman. He's a wonderful man," Kaitlyn Guteski told NBC New York. "It's a game-changer."

Then there are eateries which have just begun offering “pay what you want” and free meals and drinks.  There are at least three restaurants offering free food.  Brooklyn Sweet Spot is one of them which is giving out free lunch meals to adults and children on Friday. A couple in Greenpoint is trying to offer some help to those restaurant workers who have lost their jobs by giving them free meals as well.

Getting Out and About

It’s a beautiful day so why not get out and about in Kensington, Brooklyn?  Get rid of some of your tension and head out for a beautiful hike around some local neighborhoods.

There are a variety of local companies offering guided hiking trails including Gray Fox Guiding, Salt Marsh Trails, and Dead Horse Bay.  Book these and enjoy an opportunity to bike, hike and even do some yoga.  Check out Marine Park with the family.  Kids can see all different types of birds, crabs and tons of wildlife; parents can go hiking and grandparents can just relax in the sun at this waterfront park.

For a really challenging hike there is the outstanding Williamsburg Bridge Pedestrian Path.  Allegedly designed with inspiration from the Eiffel Tower, the bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world and one of the last ones that was built to be used by horse and carriage.

Brooklyn Bridge Park: Possible Construction

Constructing a new space in Brooklyn Bridge Park – at the Fulton Ferry Landing Pier – is back on the agenda.  Last year the project – under the auspices of Starling Architecture – was presented to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) but not accepted due to fears that it would block downtown Manhattan as well as the surrounding waterfront.

“My question is, what is different now?” asked Moshe Victor Keinig, a retired architect who spends a lot of time in New York. “Much as this new construction would give, I’m concerned about what it would take away.  Once you start diminishing the importance of historic landmarks such as these by accepting this kind of construction, you bring the entire stature of New York into question,” Keinig argued.

There has however, been one significant difference since the original proposal was put on the table back in April 2019. If approved, the structure will be able to preserve the current pier sightlines by using slimmer supports and eradicate the 11-foot-tall hydraulic window walls and roof system.

“I guess if Starling Architecture is able to commit to these changes then we won’t have the problem of the obstruction.  I also like the idea of the new white, yellow and green color scheme and the retractable fabric awning and central bar,”  Moshe Victor Keinig conceded.  “It is so  important for all cities to be able to maintain their historic presence and much of this is architecture,” he added.