Senior Resource Fair on June 24

Attention, Cobble Hill seniors! Our Assemblymember, Jo Anne Simon, is hosting her annual Senior Resource Fair this coming Friday, June 24, from 11 AM to 2 PM at St. Francis College. 

MTA Announces Express F Service to Return in 2017

On Tuesday the MTA announced that express service is set to return to the F line in Brooklyn beginning this summer and with full implementation in 2017. Express service was cancelled in 1987, but due to a political campaign led by City Council Member David Greenfield, who represents Borough Park, it will be reinstated during rush hour.

The change will save time for many south Brooklyn commuters, but it does mean that express trains will skip Bergen Street, Carroll Street, 4th Ave - Smith Street, and 4th Ave - 9th Street. According to the MTA's ridership data (below) these are some of the most heavily used F stations in Brooklyn. Every other train will go express, and since MTA is unable to run additional trains that means a 50% service reduction at local stations.

In MTA's analysis express stop riders will save an average of 3.4 minutes on trips into Manhattan, while local stop riders will add 1.3 minutes to their trip. In exchange, the agency claims local trains will be less crowded, which may be attractive to Bergen Street riders who sometimes must let packed trains pass them by.

Our local representatives Council Member Lander, State Senator Daniel Squadron, and Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon released a joint statement with other officials expressing dismay at the decision and the MTA's opaque process.

Bergen Street has an express platform on the lower level that has sat defunct for years. The $75 million renovation required to open it to the public means it will not be an option MTA considers any time soon.

2015 MTA ridership data. Express stops in red.

All The MTA's Depressing Details About F Train Express, Like 50% Less Peak Service For Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens | Gothamist

"Harms More People Than It Helps": Brooklyn Officials Angry About F Train Express | Gothamist

(Includes full text of statements from officials in support and against)

Report: Feasibility and Analysis of F Express Service in Brooklyn | MTA

An Update on the Proposed Redevelopment of the LICH site

A few days before Christmas, the Cobble Hill Association and all the elected officials who have been involved on the community’s behalf were asked to attend a meeting at City Hall because Mayor de Blasio's administration was taking a direct interest in the redevelopment process and had a new ULURP proposal to present.

The CHA agreed to participate in the meeting so we could understand the new ULURP proposal as fully as possible.  We made it clear to the administration that we were not indicating any acceptance or agreement with City Hall or Fortis as part of the process of information gathering that the meeting represented.

CHA representatives had also attended a December meeting where NYU described their plans for the new medical center to be developed on the former LICH site, regardless of what type of residential development occurs.  After this meeting, CHA and the Brooklyn Heights Association, which also attended, sent a letter to NYU outlining a number of concerns about infrastructure issues relating to the medical center.

In the pre-Christmas City Hall meeting, two members of the de Blasio administration outlined a new ULURP plan that includes a reduction in market-rate residential and affordable housing square footage, but a larger school than previously proposed.  During the meeting, CHA representatives made it clear that the plan does not fully address the community's issues with the original ULURP proposal, and that our information from the NYU meeting and the proposal of a larger school raised many infrastructure- and traffic-related issues.  The City Hall representatives asked that the CHA to develop a list of information requirements and that we attend a second meeting early in the new year.

The list of information requirements requested after the first City Hall meeting included questions relating to basic infrastructure issues, such as traffic, parking, safety, access and entrances to the medical center and school, and other subjects relating to neighborhood open spaces and environmental issues.  At the post-New Year meeting at City Hall, some information was provided and additional information promised.

CHA is continuing to pursue information gathering on all the elements of the new ULURP plan and intends to communicate its best understanding of the plan to the community at the earliest possible time.

It's Petition Delivery Time!

Let's deliver our message to Mayor de Blasio together. 

Date:  Wednesday morning, December 16th
Time:  9:15 am
Where: In front of the gates of City Hall Park, Broadway at Murray Street.
How:   4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall, R to City Hall, A/C to Chambers, or 2/3 to Park Place

Bring ID.

Can you make it?  Your presence will have an impact.  If you can be there, an email confirmation would be appreciated. Send your RSVPs to CobbleHillAssociation@gmail.com.

On Wednesday morning, City Councilman Brad Lander and State Senator Daniel Squadron will stand with Cobble Hill residents (and neighbors!) to deliver over 2017 signed petitions to City Hall.   (We actually have more than that but the number should have special significance for the Mayor.)  Our request is simple:  we want a better plan for the Long Island College Hospital site.
Bring one of the Save Cobble Hill posters or make your own, Just keep it family friendly!

THANK YOU for your efforts!  Every voice counts and is vital in our efforts to convince the de Blasio administration to listen and respond to our concerns.  We hope to see you Wednesday morning!

The Cobble Hill Community and its Representatives Reject Fortis Redevelopment Plans for LICH site

City Councilman Brad Lander, New York Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, New York State Senator Daniel Squadron, and New York Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez announced at the Cobble Hill Association's fall community meeting that they would not support the current proposed rezoning (ULURP) plans for the former Long Island College Hospital site. "The community does not support this ULURP proposal— and neither do I," Councilman Lander told his constituents, who filled the auditorium of P.S. 29 and also spoke passionately against the Fortis plans, which feature luxury high-rise towers of at least 35 stories.  Cobble Hill Association President Laurel Burr and First Vice President Buzz Doherty also reported that, after holding nearly 20 block meetings to discuss the Fortis proposals, there was a clear consensus within the community that the redevelopment plans were unacceptable and needed to be significantly downscaled to win neighborhood approval. The CHA would like to thank our representatives for their work on behalf of Cobble Hill and our President Laurel Burr for her tireless efforts to mobilize community action on this vital issue. Please follow us on Facebook for the latest developments. 

CHA Response to Fortis' Current Plans

Here is the complete text of the Cobble Hill Association’s response to the Fortis As-of-Right and ULURP Proposals (as they were presented on May 18, 2015). This was first presented on July 14, 2015 to local elected officials including Council Member Brad Lander, State Assemblywoman JoAnne Simon, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna, Council Member Levin’s deputy chief of staff, Casey Adams, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez’s Brooklyn director, Dan Wiley, Brooklyn Community Board 6 and the Fortis Property Group development team. This was also handed out in printed form at the meeting held by Council Member Lander on August 6th.

Reminder: Senator Squadron's Community Convention April 12th

Albany's budget is done and so our local State Senator can once again direct his focus on community issues in a big way. Daniel Squadron's seventh annual Community Convention invites all constituents to give direct feedback on an assortment of topics. Though it is held in Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn viewpoints are of course welcomed and encouraged.

Please RSVP via this webform or call Squadron's office at 212-298-5565.

The event is on Sunday, April 12 from 2:00-5:00pm at the Lower East Side Preparatory High School at 145 Stanton Street (btwn Norfolk & Suffolk)

Senator Squadron Community Convention April 12

Mark your calendars for this year Community Convention, put on by local State Senator Daniel Squadron. This will be his seventh annual event that invites all constituents to give direct feedback on an assortment of topics. Though it is held in Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn viewpoints are of course welcomed and encouraged.

Please RSVP via this webform or call Squadron's office at 212-298-5565.

The event is on Sunday, April 12 from 2:00-5:00pm at the Lower East Side Preparatory High School at 145 Stanton Street (btwn Norfolk & Suffolk)

Update from January's 76th Precinct Community Council Meeting

Last week the 76th precinct held its first meeting of 2015. Though controversial issues have thrust NYPD into the headlines recently, the vast majority of the agency's fine work goes under-reported and under-appreciated.  Thankfully, the packed room of attendees - including State Senator Daniel Squadron, Councilman Brad Lander, and representatives from both Councilman Carlos Menchaca and Assemblyman Felix Ortiz - made it clear the our community greatly appreciates the work of Captain Justin Lenz and his officers putting themselves in harm's way for our safety.

Recapping 2014 included many positive highlights within the 76th precinct including
- Crime is down by 1.6% when compared to 2013. (633 crimes in '14 vs. 643 in '13)
- The 76th had had the 5th lowest overall crime across precinct's city
- There was a 19% drop in robberies in the 76th precinct. (85 such crimes in 2014 vs 105 in 2013.)
- There were 5 local shootings in 2014 (including 1 homicide in Red Hook, where the community offered tremendous support and tips to detectives)
- The category accounting for the biggest share of local crime was grand larceny. This includes identity theft, fraudulent checks, scam emails etc. Without these incidents, the 76th would have had 150 less crimes.
- There were just 6 transit crimes in the Transit District 30 area.
- Public Housing areas saw reduced crime as well: 91 in Red Hook houses and just 40 in the Gowanus houses.
- Vision Zero focus key for Captain Lenz.  Both vehicle collisions and pedestrian injuries were down 10% when compared to 2013. Also more officers were trained to do speed enforcement and that meant there was 122% increase in speeding citations (288 in 2014). Capt Lenz also noted a 36% increases in failure to yield infractions, and overall more enforcement of bike lane blocking and double parking.
- What was especially interesting was hearing him say "I took away officers discretion to NOT get involved." They can use their judgement whether or not to issue the ticket but he said he wanted them to always get involved when they saw a potential hazard and so there were plenty more double parked cars that officers simply cleared away without stopping to write tickets.
- The precinct will only be getting 6 new officers from the newest class of recruits.
- This year will have 50 school crossing guards (over 47 last year).

Next month's community council meeting will again be at 7:30pm, February 3rd at the precinct.

Press conference for the Local Input in Community Healthcare (LICH) Act

This just in from our local electeds...

SIMON, SQUADRON, STRINGER ANNOUNCE BILL FOR GREATER COMMUNITY VOICE AND THOROUGH HEALTH CARE ASSESSMENT IN PROPOSED HOSPITAL CLOSURES

  

Would Require Improved State Process in Wake of LICH Closure

Simon-Squadron Bill Based on Longstanding Stringer Proposal

BROOKLYN – Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 16, at 11 a.m. elected officials, patients, community members, and healthcare workers will announce the Local Input in Community Healthcare (LICH) Act.

WHO: Comptroller Scott Stringer; State Senator Daniel Squadron; Assemblymember-elect Jo Anne Simon; Public Advocate Letitia James; Borough President Eric Adams; representatives from SEIU 1199 and NYSNA; Jim Walden; community members.

WHAT: Announce the Local Input in Community Healthcare (LICH) Act

WHERE: LICH Playground (Henry Street between Amity & Pacific Streets)

WHEN: Tuesday, December 16, 2014, 11 a.m.

Town Hall on Government Reform

This week, State Senator Squadron is hosting a town hall focused on ways to make our state government work better. His email blast suggested "There are a whole lot of ways that improving the system — whether reigning in unlimited campaign contributions, closing gaps in ethics laws, or making it easier to vote — can improve people's lives."

You can RSVP here or by calling his office at 212-298-5565.

Thursday, December 11th at 6:30pm
Forchelli Conference Center (22nd Floor)
Brooklyn Law School
205 State Street (between Boerum Pl and Court St)
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Hicks Safety Fix

The Cobble Hill Association has been working in tandem with the NYC Department of Transportation to blanket our neighborhood with small, but significant street enhancements over the last few years. These additions improve pedestrian quality of life and make our area safer for all road users. Recently, State Senator Daniel Squadron announced another small step forward  along the lines - a leading pedestrian interval (LPI) at Hicks and Atlantic. This change will give pedestrians an extra few seconds to cross before turning cars get the green light and will reduce potentially dangerous conflicts between those on two feet and those behind the wheel.

See Senator Squadron's press release link below for further details.
http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/squadron-announces-safety-measures-two-busy-intersections

Judge blocks towers, Politicians hope to halt development

As Mary Frost reports in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, a new park advocacy group - People for Green Space Foundation - has won a temporary restraining order that prevents Brooklyn Bridge Park from moving forward with its Request for Proposals (RFP) that could bring two residential towers to the foot of Atlantic Avenue adjacent to Cobble Hill. The advocates have argued that the RFP was altered after the fact to include affordable housing, a key issue that Mayor DeBlasio has raised citywide in all potential developments.

In response, the four local elected officials - State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblymember Joan Millman, and City Councilmembers Brad Lander and Steve Levin - released a joint statement below:

"This lawsuit is yet another example of why we have urged the administration to stop moving forward at a breakneck speed on the Bloomberg-era plan for housing at Pier 6, and instead begin to work with the community.
“We have long voiced concern about housing in the park and will continue to do so, especially in light of the continued unknowns at the LICH site, which is a stone’s throw from Pier 6 and will have infrastructure and planning impacts on the same immediate area. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation and the Administration should immediately cease any action on this RFP and begin a community-driven process to revisit other viable options to the Bloomberg plan for housing at Pier 6."

The Cobble Hill has long been opposed to housing within Brooklyn Bridge Park, and instead hopes to see all park land maximized for the active use of the residents of Brooklyn. Judi Francis, president of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund - of which the CHA is a coalition partner - added, “We are now at a crossroads and look to the Mayor’s leadership to pull us away from the draconian Bloomberg policy of privatizing our public parks with private housing.” The Defense Fund's full statement can be found here.

Senator Squadron 6th Annual Community Convention - 4/27

Each year, local State Senator Dan Squadron hosts a community convention seeking input from his constituents on nearly evEry category under the sun. This year he'll have sections devoted to arts and culture, zoning & neighborhood preservation, civil rights / economic & social justice, parks, transportation, campaign finance, public & affordable housing, economic development, education, disaster relief, hospitals and healthcare, and more. In addition, the Sixth Annual 26th Senate District Community Convention featuring keynote speaker Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Come out and make your voice heard on all of the legislative and community priorities that shape our district and our state.

Sixth Annual 26th Senate District Community Convention
Sunday, April 27, 2014

2:00PM to 5:00PM

Seward Park Educational Campus
350 Grand Street (between Ludlow and Essex Streets)
New York, NY 10002

RSVP at the link below.

http://www.nysenate.gov/webform/rsvp-senator-squadrons-sixth-annual-community-convention-sunday-april-27th

LICH settlement: Electeds' Statements today, CHA statement tomorrow

Big updates on the Long Island College Hospital (LICH) settlement have been floating around news desks today. Below are statement excerpts from elected officials. The official Cobble Hill Association will come tomorrow, Friday, February 21st.

Our most steadfast supporters, local electeds Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, and City Councilmembers Brad Lander, Steve Levin, and Carlos Menchaca jointly released the following statement:

We've long urged SUNY and the State to agree to a new, more open RFP process for LICH, to make sure our community and all of Brooklyn have the best possible healthcare outcome.  And, finally, SUNY has come to agreement with the community and healthcare providers on a process that achieves this basic goal, while offering added transparency and community input. Now, it's critical that the process moves forward in good faith and in a timely way, with meaningful community participation from the many neighborhoods that LICH serves. We will continue to work with SUNY, the community, and our colleagues to ensure that LICH continues to provide care, and play the role that Brooklyn needs.

An excerpt of Mayor Bill DeBlasio's statement is as follows. 

For months, we were told the free-fall closure of Long Island College Hospital was inevitable. We fought back. We went to court to keep the padlocks off the doors. We fought shoulder to shoulder with this community and used all the tools of city government to press for a better outcome. And now, we have a resolution that finally puts people's health first.

His full statement is available here. 

An excerpt of Governor Cuomo's follows below.

Today’s agreement is a victory for all parties involved and paves the way for putting a long-term, sustainable health care facility in place for the residents of Brooklyn,” Governor Cuomo said. “We are in the midst of a health care transformation here in New York State, and the reality is that yesterday’s costly, inefficient models of delivering service are no longer viable options for tomorrow. Under the terms of today’s agreement, SUNY is reopening the solicitation process to find a new operator for LICH that will guide the facility as it modernizes and continues its important mission of serving New Yorkers.

His full statement is available here. 

Tomorrow, we will post the official Cobble Hill Association response to the close of litigation and the start of improved health care for our community.

Elected Officials Join the CHA's Condemnation of SUNY's "Transparent" RFP for LICH.

This press below press release was sent out this afternoon, adding a wide range of support to the Cobble Hill Association's own disappointment in SUNY's most recent actions regarding Long Island College Hospital.

BROOKLYN ELECTED OFFICIALS RESPOND TO SUNY ON LONG ISLAND COLLEGE HOSPITAL

BROOKLYN -- Today, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, and Councilmembers Brad Lander, Steve Levin, and Carlos Menchaca sent the following letter to State University of New York (SUNY) Chairman Carl McCall regarding Long Island College Hospital (LICH):

February 1, 2014

H. Carl McCall, Chairman, Board of Trustees

The State University of New York

33 West 42nd Street

New York, NY 10036

Dear Chairman McCall,

As federal, state and city elected officials representing the community impacted by Long Island College Hospital, we are deeply disappointed in the wide gap between your letter of January 30, which claims SUNY has embarked on a process that is “reopened and publicly transparent,” and your continued actions, which neither correct the deficiencies of the July Request for Proposals (RFP), nor add meaningful transparency. As we have told you collectively, SUNY's current path is not legal and will not lead to the best possible conclusion to address the community's needs. As such, we will not participate in this process.

For more than a year, each of us, along with community organizations and healthcare providers, have urged SUNY to adopt a truly fair and open process with the shared goal of preserving healthcare in Brooklyn. At every step, including at the meeting convened by Public Advocate James and referenced in your January 30 letter, we have been rebuffed. 

As we have expressed repeatedly, a good-faith effort to solve the crisis at LICH must include a fundamentally improved process, with healthcare focused priorities and significant community representation throughout. As you know, allotting the community merely one token representative per committee is deeply insufficient, as is the continuation of the same RFP process that has been rejected since July.

We have outlined a process to reach a reasonable conclusion. We again implore SUNY to engage it substantively. SUNY's unwillingness to meaningfully address our concerns needlessly risks extending the process indefinitely.

Sincerely,

Nydia M. Velazquez, Member of Congress

Daniel Squadron, State Senator

Joan Millman, Assembly Member

Brad Lander, City Councilmember

Stephen T. Levin, City Councilmember

Carlos Menchaca, City Councilmember

Senator Squadron Town Hall, Monday Nov 18th @ 7:30pm

Next week, local State Senator Dan Squadron is holding another Community Convention that enables residents of our district to help shape his priorities at home and in Albany.

With a new mayoral administration on the horizon, there is an exciting opportunity for true change. Come out now and make sure its the change you want to see.

7:30PM to 8:30PM
Brooklyn Law School - Geraldo's Cafe, Feil Hall
205 State Street (between Court Street and Boerum Place)

RSVP by emailing squadron@nysenate.gov (please indicate which town hall you'll attend).

Squadron Community Convention, 4-28-13

Local State Senator Daniel Squadron is soon hosting his Fifth Annual Community Convention -- a chance to make your voice heard on the community and legislative priorities that will shape the future. 

Last year, hundreds of community members attended to offer input on everything from school overcrowding and park planning to transit improvements and tenant rights. Ideas discussed in small group sessions were critical in shaping his work at home and in Albany over the last year. Did he do enough? This is your chance to weigh in and give honest feedback.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

Fifth Annual 26th Senate District Community Convention

Sunday, April 28, 2013

2:00PM to 5:00PM

Borough of Manhattan Community College

199 Chambers Street (b/t West & Greenwich Streets)

New York, NY 10013

RSVP here or by contacting his office at 212-298-5565 or squadron@nysenate.gov.

REMINDER - Squadron's Community Convention

REMINDER - This Sunday, April 22nd Cobble Hill's local State Senator, Daniel Squadron, is holding his 4th annual Community Convention. This is a chance to raise concerns and make certain he knows what local issues to prioritize with his colleagues in Albany.

Additionally, MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph Lhota will join as a keynote speaker to share his thoughts on NYC's transit system and how riders can engage to make it work better today and help plan for its future.
Fourth Annual 25th Senate District Community Convention
Sunday, April 22, 2012, 2:00PM to 5:00PM
High School of Economics and Finance
100 Trinity Place (between Cedar Street &Thames Street)
New York, NY 10006 
RSVP below, at 212-298-5565 or squadron@nysenate.gov

Squadron's Community Convention

Local State Senator for our 25th District, Daniel Squadron, is holding his 4th annual Community Convention next weekend, Sunday, April 22nd. Though many decisions affecting Cobble Hill are made at the state level, this is a chance to raise concerns and questions face-to-face and make certain your elected rep knows what issues to prioritize with his colleagues in Albany.

Additionally, MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph Lhota will join as a keynote speaker to share his thoughts on NYC's transit system and how riders can engage to make it work better today and help plan for its future. Last year, more than 250 community members attended and offered valuable input on everything from school overcrowding and park planning to ethics reform and tenant rights.  The great ideas discussed in these small group sessions shaped Daniel's work over the last year and will continue to do so next year.

Fourth Annual 25th Senate District Community Convention
Sunday, April 22, 2012
2:00PM to 5:00PM
High School of Economics and Finance
100 Trinity Place
(between Cedar Street & Thames Street)
New York, NY 10006 

RSVP below, at 212-298-5565 or squadron@nysenate.gov

Discussions at the Community Convention will include:
Education: Pre-K to College
Senior Citizens' Concerns
Zoning, Neighborhood Preservation, and Quality of Life
Neighborhood Issues: A Spanish Language Conversation
Neighborhood Issues: A Chinese Language Conversation
Jobs, Workers' Rights and Economic Development
Open Government: Election Access, Ethics, Redistricting, and Budget Reform
Mitchell-Lama, Section 8, and Public Housing
Social Services and Health Care
Rent Regulation and Tenants' Rights
Marriage Equality and LGBT Civil Rights
Arts and Culture
Environmental Sustainability
Parks and Open Space
Streets and Transportation