Public Park Or Private Enclave? Last Night's Public Hearing On Alternatives To Housing In Brooklyn Bridge Park

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From left, Seth Pinsky President of New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC),

2nd from left: Paul Nelson For Assemblymember Joan Millman,
3rd from left: a woman sitting in for Robert Steel  

4th from left: Regina Myer, President of Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corp.

second from right: John Ruskin of State Senator Squadron's office

Councilman Steve Levin

Councilman Brad Lander

Last night at Long Island College Hospital, the first of two public hearings on alternatives to housing in Brooklyn Bridge Park took place. In front of Regina Myer, President of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, representatives of NY State Assemblywoman Joan Millman and State Senator Squadron, and the Mayor's office, residents shared their ideas on how to generate revenue for the park to fund its operation and maintenance. Most also took the opportunity to voice their frustration with the City's hijacking of a public park for development.
In 2002, New York State and City signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which requires that the Brooklyn Bridge Park "be financially self sufficient with annual operation and maintenance expenses funded by revenue generated from within the project."  In order to accomplish this, five sites within the park were identified for development.  This idea met with immediate resistance from many in the community.
In March 2010, State Senator Squadron and Assemblywoman Joan Millman were able to convince the City to sign another Memorandum Of Understanding which prompted the formation of a Subcommittee on Alternatives to Housing (SHA.)  It also called for two public hearings.
Though some speakers last night supported the idea, many in the audience had worked tirelessly for the last twenty-five years to secure the park along the waterfront and were strongly opposed to residential luxury condos of 15 to 31 stories in the park.  The overwhelming sentiment expressed by the community was that Brooklyn Bridge Park should be a public park and not a "private enclave with tastefully arranged landscaping around it."
Councilmembers Brad Lander and Steve Levin spoke out against the housing as well.


Written testimony will be accepted till Monday, December 13th at 5 PM.  Submit to Bay Area Economics Consulting at bbptestimony@bae1.com


Below are some of the testimonies (and alternatives) given last night.