BQE Triple Cantilever Rehabilitation to Begin Soon

Last week the CHA joined other local associations and elected officials for our first look at the rehabilitation plans for the Brooklyn Queens Expressway triple cantilever. This is the layered section of the expressway nested under the Brooklyn Heights Promenade as the road runs adjacent to Brooklyn Bridge Park.

NYC DOT states that design is set to begin in 2016, and construction will start in 2021 and last for 5 years with a completion date of 2026. During construction the agency has examined multiple alternatives for rerouting traffic, but none are entirely viable. In any case, this plan will unleash a good deal of traffic in and around the neighborhood through the course of its work. Community outreach is scheduled to continue throughout multiple stages of the project.

The plan includes a traffic study at the Atlantic Avenue interchange, to explore possible improvement to the "sub-standard geometry" at ramps. This has the potential to result in safer conditions on Atlantic Avenue between Hicks and Columbia Street, along the entry way to Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Click here to see the NYC DOT 04/20/2016 presentation

This Saturday: Help Prep the Fence at CH Park for a Fresh Coat of Paint

Care to help out in the park this Saturday morning? Join your neighbors to prep the perimeter fence for an upcoming paint job — no heavy lifting or painting required. Weather forecast predicts another lovely spring day!

If you have them, bring your garden/work gloves and scrapers.

Cobble Hill Park Fence Prep

Saturday, April 23rd at 9:00am

Cobble Hill Park

If you are able to pitch in, a quick RSVP to Barbara Krongel would be appreciated.

THANK YOU!

Town Hall Meeting on Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Issues

The Brooklyn Heights Association along with its coalition partners –Save the View Now, Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund  and People for Green Space Foundation– invite you and your neighbors to a Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, May 4th to hear an update on three important development issues within Brooklyn Bridge Park:

1. The obstruction of the views of the Brooklyn Bridge by the Pierhouse
2. The violation of the Scenic View District (SV‐1)
3. The unnecessary towers proposed for  Pier 6 at the foot of Atlantic Avenue.

BBP Development Town Hall

Wednesday, May 4th

7:00pm - 9:00pm

St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church

157 Montague Street

Support Area Farms by Joining a Local CSA

Cobble Hill is lucky to have two Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs operating in our neighborhood. Joining a CSA is a great way to get fresh, seasonal, local produce on your table, and support regional farmers. CSA supporters offer important capital to local farmers at the beginning of the growing season to support farms with sustainable practices. In exchange for investing in the CSA, farmers send you their fresh harvest, week by week.

This year marks the 21st season for the Cobble Hill CSA, started in 1996. This CSA works with Green Thumb Organic Farms in Long Island and Wikklow Orachards in the Hudson Valley. In addition to vegitable shares, members can sign up to recieve optional shares of flowers, herbs and other products. Weekly pickup is at the Kane Street Synagogue. This Tuesday, April 26th, meet the farmers to find out more about the CSA, and learn what types of produce you'll get this summer, at the Synagogue on 236 Kane Street. For more information about the event see the flyer below. Fore more about joining, visit the Cobble Hill CSA website here.

Cobble Hill CSA Meet & Greet

Tuesday, April 26th, 2016

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Kane Street Synagogue

236 Kane Street (btwn Court St. and Tompkins Pl.)

Local Roots CSA is another great option with a Tuesday pickup location at 61 Local on Bergen. This CSA offers members a wide array of choices in their weekly pickups. In addition to produce, options are available for eggs, meat, cheeses, teas and specialties like gluten-free packages and more. Local Roots is hosting the Good Food Mini Fest on May 15th, at Threes Brewing in Gowanus. You'll find workshops about sustainable agriculture, and talks with local farmers. For more information about joining and about the conference visit the Local Roots CSA website here.

UPDATE: Use the code "chacha" at checkout on orders over $250, and Local Roots will donate $10 to the CHA!

Local Roots CSA Good Food Fest

Sunday, May 15th, 2016

Threes Brewing

333 Douglass Street (btwn 3rd Ave. & 4th Ave.)

Annual Plant Sale May 14th

It seems like spring is finally here for good, and that means it's time to spruce the garden. Join us at our annual Cobble Hill Tree Fund Plant Sale on Saturday, May 14th. The event details are below and see the flyer for more information.

Cobble Hill Tree Fund Plant Sale

Saturday, May 14th, 10:30am - 3:00pm

Cobble Hill Park (Clinton and Congress Streets)

Volunteers Needed: The Tree Fund is seeking volunteers to help run the plant sale and children's activities. Ideally 2-3 hour shifts between 9:30am & 4:30pm. If you would like to help out, please email Georgia Willett at gawillett@earthlink.net.

Join the Cobble Hill Association and Make Your Voice Heard!

May 1st will be the start of the new fiscal year for the Cobble Hill Association (CHA) and we hope that you will consider becoming a member or renewing your membership for the 2016-2017 year.

Click the "Join the Cobble Hill Association" button at the bottom of this email or simply click this link, where you can quickly and easily sign up using a credit card:

http://nycharities.org/app/cha/

Membership starts at just $25.  We ask that you please consider joining at the Sustaining Member level of $100 if that is comfortable for you.  Your dues are needed and will be well used in the coming months.

In addition, we hope  you will attend our annual meeting on May 11 where members will vote in a new governing board.

The Cobble Hill Association was formed as a non-profit organization over 50 years ago in order to protect and promote the interests of the community. Today our mission is more important than ever as we face the construction of the largest new residential complex in the history of our neighborhood on the site of the former Long Island College Hospital (LICH).

In the coming months, we will be engaged in the public rezoning process of the LICH site known as ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Process).  Well-informed, motivated, and active community members will be our best chance to influence the outcome of this massive development at our doorstep.

In addition to aggressively promoting the community’s interest during the ULURP, the CHA will continue performing its vital duties in the neighborhood. The CHA maintains Cobble Hill Park, organizes events such as the Halloween Parade and the summer concert series, and serves as the main liaison between the community and our local elected officials.
                                                         
Please join or renew your membership today so you will be eligible to vote on May 11 and make your voice heard.

News from the Cobble Hill Assocation

As was reported on this blog last January, Fortis still has not provided a more detailed plan for its proposed development of the LICH site. However, the Cobble Hill Association has been hard at work on a number of fronts relating to the LICH development, as well as organizational issues of the Association.

Legal developments. As we wait for Fortis to file a ULURP for the LICH project, our attorney Marvin Mitzner has been actively corresponding with the Department of Parks and Buildings to have public access restored to the northern Henry Street playground and the Pacific Street pedestrian walkway.

Urban Planning Issues. CHA's Urban Planning Committee—nine members including architects, urban planners, a landscape architect and community members—has met weekly since late February to formulate "foundational principles" that will serve as guidelines for evaluating the components of Fortis’ ULURP proposal once it is filed and the review process begins.

CHA Nominating Committee. A Nominating Committee has been formed to propose a slate of new board officers for the next two-year term. Service on the board is open to all Cobble Hill Association members in good standing. The election will take place at the May 11 spring meeting.

Membership Drive. A membership campaign will be taking place over the coming weeks.  Watch for forthcoming emails and mailings, and please consider joining or re-joining. Your engagement and support will be so important over the coming year.

SAVE THE DATE!

Cobble Hill Association Spring General Meeting

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

7pm

P.S. 29

All are welcome! Please attend! Make your voice heard!

SAVE THE DATE!

The Spring General Meeting of the Cobble Hill Association will be held the evening of Wednesday, MAY 11th, at P.S. 29, 7:00 pm.

Please attend! All are welcome!