Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Assoc.

Councilmember Brad Lander's office sent CoWNA a copy of a letter to American Stevedoring, the operators of the Red Hook Piers and one of the companies behind the massive salt pile near Columbia and Kane Sts. The message: Covering the salt isn't enough; it's time to move the pile. The letter is signed by Councilmembers Lander and Stephen Levin, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, and State Senators Daniel Squadron and Velmanette Montgomery. Here it is:

May 12, 2010

Sal Catucci, C.E.O.

American Stevedoring, Inc

70 Hamilton Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11231-1305

Dear Mr. Catucci:

We are writing to urge that you address the large nuisance presented by the extremely large salt pile located close to the street on Columbia, between Kane & Degraw Streets. It is clear that operations are currently active and the tarp which covers the salt frequently comes off due to wind.

The salt pile has been a source of frustration for the residents of the Columbia Street Waterfront neighborhood for many months. Operations occur very close to your neighbors' homes across Columbia Street, and have led to complaints about salt caking on windshields, accumulating in gardens, and making it irritating to breathe.

Though we appreciated ASI’s efforts to meet with the community in February, communication has been intermittent at best. When operations began anew in the early spring, no warning or notice was given to our offices or members of the community. The salt pile grew significantly, and it was not until days later, after trucks had gone and salt was no longer being added that we heard anything from ASI.

While we appreciate your efforts to address the problem through “salt pile management,” we have come to believe as the result of persistent issues that the location itself is a problem. We ask that you move the pile to a different location within the port which is not so close to people’s homes. In addition, we ask that you agree to a lower height for the pile, which has now grown to be a large, nearly 5-story structure and therefore substantially alters the relationship of the port to its neighbors.

We hope to remain supportive of operations at the port in the coming years. We ask that you respect the community’s needs, move the salt to a more internal location on the pier, and keep it at a reasonable height. We look forward to discussing this matter with you.

Brad Lander
Councilmember, 39th District

Stephen Levin
Councilmember, 33rd District

Daniel Squadron
State Senator, 25th District

Joan Millman
Assemblywoman, 52 District

Velmanette Montgomery
State Senator, 18 District

Come Hear Pratt Grads' Plan for Columbia Waterfront

Over the past year, students from Pratt Institute's graduate programs in planning and historic preservation have studied the Columbia Waterfront District. They interviewed residents and stakeholders. They researched local land use, economic and quality of life issues. And with their interviews and research, they developed a land-use plan that proposes near- and far-term economic, cultural and environmental improvements.

The students already presented their ideas earlier this month at LICH. But in case you missed it--and even if you didn't--they're coming back to this neighborhood this Friday night for a repeat performance. Don't miss it!

When: Friday, May 28

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Where: Freebird Books and Goods, 123 Columbia St., near Kane St.

BQE Enhancement Project Update

The EDC has a new page dedicated to the BQE Enhancement Project which includes links to the original presentation by lead consultant Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and to a summary of the first workshop results.

Have a look and get ready for the next workshop to be held in July where the design team will present preliminary ideas for comment by the community.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Beautiful Earth Block Party Cancelled

Just got word from Beautiful Earth Group that they're canceling the green-themed block party planned for Degraw St. on Sunday. Unfortunately, the weatherman is predicting a rainy, chilly, miserable day.

Beautiful Earth Group is a sustainable energy company that recently moved to the Columbia Waterfront. They're the folks behind the solar-charging station on Degraw between Columbia and Van Brunt. BEG says they plan to throw a party at the station sometime in June. We'll keep you posted.

Your Weekly Public Services News Roundup

EDUCATION

NY Daily News: Gov. Paterson delays doling out $1.5B in school aid so cash-strapped state can pay its bills

NY Times: Education Secretary Steps Into a Minefield in Brooklyn

Gotham Gazette: Poor Preparation, Confusion Lead Many to Fail GED Test

PUBLIC SAFETY

Crain’s: White House: NYC transit security funds actually up

AP: Bloomberg says NY shortchanged on terror funding

NY Daily News: Mayor Bloomberg giving 20 FDNY companies a reprieve – for now

NY Post: NY pols slam Bam over $700M terror-cash delay

NY Post: Senior pedestrian peril

SANITATION

Brooklyn Paper: This stinks! City admits that it is no longer picking up street garbage

TRANSPORTATION

am NY: Drivers actually win out in MTA’s latest budget cuts

NY Post: Officials question whether MTA does work during weekend track closures

NY Daily News: New MTA plan would shut each subway line until it’s fixed

NY Post: Trolley good news for Red Hook rail plan

am New York: Lights are on in closed parts of the subways, a potential money loser

NY Daily News: Critics fear MTA’s tech, safety fail: $21.3M will be wasted on subway cameras that don’t even record

NY Post: Posh nabes get bus-ted

NY Daily News: TWU head John Samuelsen: MTA boss Jay Walder ‘raking in the dough’ amid big job cuts

NY Times: Use of Mob-Linked Firm Shows M.T.A. Problem Vetting Subcontractors

NY Post: It’s lights out on risky NYC highways

UTILITIES

NY Daily News: Con Edison announces two percent hikes over each of the next three years

Brooklyn Eagle: ‘High Water Bills Soaking Us Dry’ is Message to City

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Worried about the B61?

Next month, MTA plans to merge the B61 and the B77. The new B61 will still run through the Columbia Waterfront. But instead of ending at Ikea, it will continue to Park Slope and Windsor Terrace. And this has our friends in Red Hook Economic Development worried about:

Overcrowding from fitting the riders of two bus lines into one line
Slower travel times to accommodate longer boarding times from increased usage
Schedule delays because of traffic conditions miles from Red Hook and the Columbia Waterfront.

If you're worried too, make your worries heard by filling out RHED's new survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CJ5TSRY

Then clear your schedule for Thursday night, because MTA representatives are coming to a meeting of Community Board 6's Transportation Committee, and they deserve to hear an earful. The details:

When: Thursday, May 20

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Where: Long Island College Hospital