Showing off RBSCC’s latest project, a subsidized luxury complex on Knickerbocker and Eldert. — Photo by Aaron Short
It’s the third Wednesday of the month and while you may not have paid your electric bill yet, the mood inside the Hope Gardens Community Center is electric. That’s because it is time for another Community Board Four meeting, the first of the new year.
6:45 PM: (6 PM Bushwick time): I arrive a little late, but just in time for the food. Tonight’s menu: meatballs in marinara sauce, chicken sauté, and string beans with almonds. They also have that Mexican orange soda that nobody is touching (everyone is going for the Diet Coke), but it isn’t that bad and eventually it disappears after the other bottles are emptied.
As I am waiting in line, I am standing next to Community Education Council ex-president Abby Bello, who is apparently no longer with the CEC and is now with something called CHS. Adam Schwartz from the Academy of Urban Planning is standing in front of me, and we talk about the replacement for Bushwick’s beloved Harbor School, which is moving to Governor’s Island this summer. The new school coming to the Bushwick Campus is the Francis Perkins Academy, which will contain close to 70 percent male students and focus on trade skills such as welding.
6:55 PM: With the buffet sufficiently ravaged, Chair Julie Dent calls the meeting to order and District Manager Nadine Whitted opens the public session with a ULURP (Uniform Land Use and Review Process) action for public session.
7:00 PM: Ridgewood Bushwick Seniors Citizen Council’s development czar Scott Short (no relation) introduces himself, which receives polite applause. RBSCC staff members have taken up two and a half tables at the meeting, and they’re all here to support their project at 803 Knickerbocker Avenue (Knickerbocker and Eldert Street). Short and architect Chris Benedict begin their presentation for building 24 units of below-market housing on the site, making it the first multifamily passive building in New York City.
“We’re going to be delivering heat very efficiently. In the winter, the sun can shine right in there because of the nice insulation we have in the building,” said Benedict. “This is going to be a revolutionary building in NYC and this is something that the neighborhood can be very very proud of.”
Whitted asks when the building will be ready and how expensive the units will be and Short answers that if everything goes as planned, construction will start in June 2010 and finish late summer 2011. Apartments will be assigned through an HPD-sponsored lottery process, with 50-percent preference to Bushwick residents. 1 bedrooms range from $720-$860, 2-bedrooms range from $860-$1000, and 3-bedrooms range from $990-$1190. This receives more polite applause. Short also explains that there will be seven Section 8 vouchers assigned among the 24 units to accommodate residents with lower incomes.
7:13 PM: Dent closes public hearing and asks the staffers of elected representatives present at the meeting tonight to stand up and introduce themselves. It’s the usual suspects starting with Allison Frost from Vito Lopez’s office, Johnnie Joyner and Alexandra Pena from State Senator Dilan’s office, community liaisons from Diana Reyna, Darryl Towns, Marty Markowitz, Comptroller John Liu and Erik Dilan’s offices. Will Harris, another staff member from Vito’s office is present too, but he is sitting in the U-shaped table reserved for board members because he (along with Margaret Nieves) is a brand new Community Board 4 member. Congrats Will.
One announcement. Alejandro Echezerri from Diana’s office has announced that their offices have moved from South 4th Street to 217 Havemeyer Street between South 5th Street and Broadway. That’s above the Chase Bank building in Williamsburg near the Marcy J stop. No word as to whether they will be able to cash your checks.
7:21 PM: Dent welcomes the new members and dives into her report which covers the proposed New York City Charter Commission, which could eventually eliminate community boards. This has been coming up at a lot of boards throughout the city, and board chairs are beginning to mobilize.
“Nadine and I have been attended meetings and we’re organizing to be proactive to prevent this from going into place,” says Dent.
She also announces that the DeKalb Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library has reopened on January 19 after roof repairs.
Lastly, HPD has announced new apartments for rent at the Knickerbocker Cluster [pdf], 187 and 194 Eldert Street, 248 Cornelia Street, 309 Shaffer Street, and 708, 784, and 818 Knickerbocker Ave. Applications must be requested in writing and postmarked by Feb 18, 2010.
7:29 PM: Whitted welcomes members back to the board while explaining her argument for the importance of community boards.
“We are the gatekeepers for our community. People who live, work in the community will bring information to us. Whether this is information we can use, sometimes it can be detrimental. Planners, I think we are planners. We approve, we disapprove, we add information to projects such as the one brought to us tonight that impact our community.”
After urging members to donate blood more often, Whitted shares the new community board website.
7:41 PM: We are into committee reports. Civic and Religion Committee Chair Elvena Davis announces the route for the 5th Annual Bushwick Day Parade, June 4, 2010. This year’s theme is Bushwick Youth, Let’s Go Higher in Education.
“We will be honoring highest achievers in high schools and middle schools. We’re going to have the valedictorians and salutatorians marching. With community’s help, maybe we can give a savings bond to the students to help honor their education,” said Davis.
Cultural Affairs Committee Chair Odolphus Wright announces that artists can apply for the Percent for Art program for work on one of six Department of Transportation plaza locations in the city, including one on Myrtle and Knickerbocker Avenues. The Request for Qualification application is due on February 22nd.
Public Safety Chair Barbara Smith, who handles new liquor licenses and renewals, said that because of complaints to the 83rd Precinct, the committee is trying to get a few bars to change their hours so they aren’t open until 4 AM.
“We want to work with them so they can get their business straight,” said Smith. “Don’t think CB4 is against new bars. Everybody wants to get their drink on every now and again, we’re just trying to do it right.”
7:58 PM: It’s new business and time for the ULURP vote. Martha Brown explains the application and Whitted runs the roll call vote. The two RBSCC tables perk up considerably and grab their pens to keep tally. They needn’t worry. The vote is 38-0-1 and the 1 abstention is a board member who works for RBSCC.
“I think that ULURP passed,” says Whitted.
8:03 PM: Announcements! We’re in the final stretch.
CB4 member Jason Andrew announces that he and fellow board member Debbie Brown have opened a new gallery called STOREFRONT, at 16 Wilson Avenue, which will feature emerging artists and exhibit children’s art between openings. Andrew receives full board applause.
“Brand new, very exciting, features emerging Bushwick artists."
CB4 member Laura Braslow announces the next Arts in Bushwick SITE Fest. It is all about performance: theater, dance, comedy, music, performance art, and anything else that occurs over a set time. It will be on March 6 and 7 and registration is open now.
Mary McClelland from the Broadway Bushwick Community Coalition announces a new meeting and hopes to tackle the “dog problem in our community.” She’s not talking about the dogs themselves of course, but the owners who don’t clean up after them…
“It’s not improving. It’s getting worse. We have to insist that they have to do something about our problem. It’s toxic waste.”
Finally we have multiple announcements about places to donate money, food and clothing for Haiti. Assemblyman Lopez’s office will be providing containers for food and clothes, which will go to Haiti via the Dominican Republic (Martinez is leading that effort). Gladys Puglla at Make the Road New York said the group is taking monetary donations for Haiti, Maritza Davila will be working with C-Town and other grocery stores to collect food and Julie Dent says that her Audrey Johnson Day Care Center is working with Doctors Without Borders.
“Today its them, tomorrow it could be us. We have to help our brothers and sisters and need. Thank you,” says Dent.
Let’s end the meeting with an interview with new board member Will Harris for his list of favorite things. Congratulations Will!
Favorite sports team: New York Yankees
Favorite Yankee; Derek Jeter
Favorite New York Moment: Elections of David Dinkins
Favorite Restaurant: Cono’s
Favorite Desert: Dunkin’ Donuts
Favorite Bushwick haunt: I usually don’t get off work early enough to go anywhere
Favorite hobby: Volunteering
Favorite Park: María Hernández
Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving at 319 Stanhope
Favorite service activity: Working with residents in Williamsburg and Bushwick
Favorite political victory: In recent memory? Steve Levin, City Council!
forza January 21st, 2010 at 11:36 pm
just what bushwick needs more subsidized housing. (insert sarcasm) Why didnt the rendering include all the trash and garbage that people would throw on the street. Also I wonder of how much of the food donations will actually make it to Hati? My guess with Vito Lopez running it not much.
Christopher January 22nd, 2010 at 1:00 am
I’m guessing @forza isn’t one of those, like me, who is on public assistance. I think subsidized housing for seniors is pretty much above reproach, but apparently there are those that think the world should only be for those that can afford it.
Anyway, my comment before I got distracted by ass-hattery, does anyone know if CB meetings are accessible to the deaf? Is there someone I can contact about having CART (real-time captioning) provided? Anyone know?
forza January 22nd, 2010 at 9:25 am
I am against more subsidized housing as it goes to the wrong people. I’m not aware of your situation but in most cases it is the undeserving that move in and trash what they are given. Look at the projects for example. Once your in when do you move out? It breeds contempt and breeds people that look to suckle from the tit of government. Have you ever lived in or next to subsidized housing? It is not a pleasant experience from the trash that is blowing in the wind or the loud music that is blaring.
@Christopher be careful what you wish for.
And I was on unemployment for almost a year and yeah it sucks but from the look of you profile (you seem to be educated ie college) there is not a chance in hell you would qualify for this housing. Vito/Diana would have all there cousins homeboys/girls in this place before you could even bat an eye. You need to just realize the facts we are outsider to the people in power in this district and they could give to shits what you are I think.
Professional Alternative January 22nd, 2010 at 10:51 am
This Will Harris is really a Vito tool huh? Everything he likes makes him either a goombah or a born political machine cog.
Anyway, forza is right on this. RBSCC is a business, and in order to stay in business, it needs to get more of Maritza’s cousins crammed into the neighborhood so they keep voting the “right” way. The image is one of openness, but go on and try to fill out one of those housing applications without the help of RBSCC. Get one thing wrong and they pass over you. It’s for their followers, just like the Broadway Triangle will be.
Check out the income requirements for a $550 1 bedroom at that Knickerbocker CLuster. You can make up to $88K!
Professional Alternative January 22nd, 2010 at 11:05 am
There is somewhere in the _world_ that anyone can afford. Just not New York. Don’t make this an existential issue, because it’s not — Scranton may not be fun, but it is cheap. You choose to live where you can’t afford. That is selfish. Which is fine, but don’t pretend you have any moral high ground as there is certainly another way to look at your hogging of resources that could be allocated to those who contribute to this city.
Anyway I doubt they will hire someone to stand there and sign to you for three hours. The CBs are barely funded as it is.
Brandon January 22nd, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Jesus H. Christ why is this neighborhood so full of right wing and Libertarian cranks?
forza January 22nd, 2010 at 4:43 pm
@Brandon
I am very left minded but I’m not drinking the kool-aid. This is a political machine we are talking about wrapped up in let do for the people i’ve been here long enough to know behind every “good” idea there is greed. Its all about kick backs.
mopar January 22nd, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Aaron, if you’re reading and interested in covering something important in Bed Stuy, see the Bed Stuy blog today and Brownstoner yesterday (Thurs) for info about four houses the DOB is suddenly declaring must be torn down immediately. It will ruin Bed Stuy’s finest block, where Al Vann lives and also where the Akwabba mansion is located. It’s crazy.
Christopher January 22nd, 2010 at 5:47 pm
And what’s wrong with kickbacks? Oh I know. They aren’t directed at you. Kickbacks are what make cities, nations, and governments work. It’s how managing people happens. People want to know what’s in it for themselves. I was raised a Chicagoan, so I tend to view kickbacks and machine politics as not only a necessary evil, but a good thing. A smart way of managing government. In fact, they date back to the very founding of the country. They were part and parcel to how 18th century politics worked.
forza January 23rd, 2010 at 1:14 am
@christopher
I to am from the south side of chicago and you most smoke crack if you think the chicago machine is a good thing. Kickbacks build corruption. Look at the king of chicago and tell me he is good for the city. You spout nonsense and need to read a history book or do you actually enjoy Tameny Hall styled politics?
Also where are the last to govenors of Illinois?
John Dereszewski January 23rd, 2010 at 8:12 am
This whole thing is little more than a tempest in a teapot. The building proposed can hardly be described as a “project”. Instead, it will provide decent and relatively cheap housing for a number of working families chosen through a government supervised lottery. My clear anticipation is that it will, once occupied, seamlessly blend into the surrounding community and just make it stronger.
So, unless you are allergic to just ANY form of subsidized housing – a principled position, but not one to which I subscribe – this is a fine proposal that clearly merits support.
Luis Velazquez January 25th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Hello Christopher
I have never seen anyone translating for the hearing impaired. That said… I have never seen a hearing impaired person at the meetings.
To comment on the topic. I too am against most forms of public housing. Studies show that this doesnt empower people nor does it help the masses aspire to take action to change their lives (or their childrens for that matter). The studies on projects in London are a good example. A second case study could be the great strides that Singapore has made in creating projects where people owned (and could sell) a property.
I would rather be able to assign whom receives my hard earned money than have it be funneled to unknowns by someone who clearly has an interest in giving them that help. I also want to know that the bulk of my capital is going to the people that need it and not the infrastructure created to give it.
I think we can all agree that whatever is going on here in Bushwick is not good for anyone in the long term. The more attention that is paid to the activities of our elected officials (regardless if you are are a bleeding heart liberal, an old school republican, or a cold libitarian) the better we all are.
Professional Alternative January 26th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
No, kickbacks are what make nations and governments work when they are so corrupt nobody can do anything without tossing bribe money around. This is a symptom of a rotten society wherein people with no value to their neighbors use back channels to take what they haven’t earned honestly. In a clean and open society, you don’t need kickbacks.
Nino January 26th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
The only people that like this new crap are the people that post on these blogs.
How about going to Bushwick and watching how old timers and new comers get along ?
Archie Bunkers and other groups have been there for generations. Who the hell are these people from Illinois, Ohio, Michigan etc to say whats needed ?
These big new buildings (or should I say barracks) are horror’s.
All they are good for do is messing up parking and bringing in more idiots from west of the Hudson.
Affordable high density housing always turns into a building full of trouble 10-15 years down the line !!
Nino January 26th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Why is this neighborhood so full of right wing and Libertarian cranks?
Its like the Hamptons. You have the transplants demanding Starbucks and wheat grass juice on one side. 3rd and 4+ Generation New Yorkers on the other.
A: I think the crazy mayor is secretly importing Libs from places like Boston and Ann Arbor.
Every time I try to s’plain something to someone F_ing up I get flashbacks of being stranded in Berkley California during the air traffic controller strike.
Talk about being in hell……
Nast March 9th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Are you high on something?