Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Assoc.

Redistricting Blues

2012-01-27T09:29:00.008-05:00

Every 10 years, after the census, the Assembly, State Senate and Congressional maps are redrawn. This process is called redistricting. Yesterday, we saw the first--and possibly last--draft of the new Assembly and Senate maps. (The Congressional ones aren't done yet.)

So, how does the Columbia Waterfront fare?

Not well.

Our Senate district may get a new name, but that's no big deal. We're in the 25th. We may become the 26th. Still, it's basically the same district now represented by State Senator Daniel Squadron.

The rub is the Assembly.

Right now, our whole neighborhood is in the 52nd Assembly District. Joan Millman is our assemblywoman. But under the proposed maps, we get divided between the 52nd and the 51st. That's the Red Hook-Sunset Park district now held by Assemblyman Felix Ortiz.

Take a look:

Now, this is only a draft. A lot could happen between now and ... well, redistricting is contentious, and it has a way of dragging on. Let's just say a lot could happen. Then again, maybe not.

This point is this: If the final maps look like the proposed ones, then the voting power of the Columbia Waterfront, such as it is, will be diluted. When Assemblymember 52 looks at our neighborhood, or Assemblymember 51, they're going to see a lot fewer votes than Assemblymember 52 sees now.

This may or may not matter in the short run. But in the long run, two Assemblymembers are not better than one.

Brad Lander to Present Overview of Port Changes

2012-01-26T21:09:00.001-05:00

As most in the community know, there has recently been a change in operations at the Red Hook Terminal. The departure of American Stevedoring as operator and the imminent threat by U. S. Customs to cease servicing the port are events that could have a profound impact on our neighborhood. Council member Brad Lander has organized a meeting to update the neighborhood on these developments and, hopefully, help us understand what the future may hold.

Date: 9 February 2012
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Postgraduate Center, 177 Columbia Street

Our neighborhood is uniquely affected by the port: idling ships pollute our air, truck traffic on our local streets contributes to pollution and is a safety concern, and the salt pile is a corrosive nuisance. However, the port is also a valuable and essential resource: it has the capacity to accommodate a wide variety of activities, from cruise ships to water taxis, shipping, recreational boating, cultural and educational centers to maintenance facilities. Whether the port remains a viable enterprise for years to come should be a major concern for all in the Waterfront. If it does not, then we will witness an all-to-familiar real estate free-for-all as agencies and developers rush to exploit what is one of the most desirable locations in Brooklyn. Please join us, meet your neighbors and learn more about the port.

Columbia Waterfront Park Meeting

2012-01-12T10:23:00.000-05:00

Brooklyn Greenway Initiative has scheduled a report-back meeting for the planned park along Columbia Street between and Kane and Degraw. Preliminary renderings will be presented and the community will be invited to comment. Visit the BGI website regarding the meeting here and RSVP.

Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Time: 6:30p - 8:30p
Location: Union Street Star Theater, 101 Union Street

7 Story Building Planned for Columbia Street

2012-01-10T18:33:00.000-05:00

An application for a new 7 story building at 255 Columbia Street (the former furniture store) has been filed at the Department of Buildings. The proposed building will reach a height of 70 feet and contain 13 apartments. The designer's blog includes a brief description of the building and an image of the street front. [Update 1/14/12 - the image on the designer's blog has apparently been removed].

Although we applaud the developer's commitment to constructing to Passive House standard, we are displeased with lack of sensitivity to the character of the neighborhood the image of the project reveals. Our hope is that the drawing is a very early sketch and that further refinement of composition, proportions, and detailing is forthcoming. As it is presented, this structure unfortunately resembles many of the mediocre contemporary infill buildings scattered throughout Williamsburg.

We welcome responsible development in our neighborhood and the influx of new residents who will be customers for our local businesses. We urge the developer of this project to demand of his designers a more sophisticated design. One that evinces a sensitivity to context and demonstrates an understanding of the meaningful differences in composition of building elements relative to the street, the property line, the building silhouette. With a little care, we believe that this site could hold a building that both its owners and its neighbors will love.

Building Collapse at Columbia and Degraw

2011-12-29T18:09:00.003-05:00

We are still waiting for more detail about the cause of the collapse although it seems likely due to the work on the Flushing Tunnel Project. We've also inquired about steps that are being taken to ensure the safety of nearby buildings and how the schedule for the project will be affected.

A full demolition of the building was ordered by the NYC Department of Buildings and the work is in progress.

A statement released by the DEP is available here.

"Next Bus Please" - Brad Lander Releases Report on Study of B61 Bus

2011-12-02T15:14:00.001-05:00

Council Member Brad Lander invites you to attend a press conference next Monday to present their recently completed report about the B61 bus. The report, titled “Next Bus Please: Improving the B61 Bus” summarizes data collected by community volunteers and presents suggestions for improving service.

Time: 9:00am

Date: 5 December, 2011

Location: 4th Avenue/9th Street Bus Stop, Brooklyn

DOT OK's Signal at Summit & Columbia

2011-11-26T19:29:00.001-05:00

The Department of Transportation notified Community Board 6 of their determination that a signal is appropriate at the intersection of Columbia Street and Summit Street as a result of the change in traffic patterns due to the work on Van Brunt.

This letter is to inform you that we have determined that the intersection of Columbia Street and Summit Street has met our criteria for signalization under the existing traffic conditions created by the DDC Columbia Street Reconstruction Project's Maintenance and Protection of Traffic (MPT), which includes a reversal of Summit Street between Van Brunt Street and Columbia Street, resulting in additional traffic entering the intersection in question. The signalization study was undertaken in response to community requests.

We have asked the DDC contractor to implement a temporary traffic signal according to our standards at this intersection and to maintain it for the duration of the project MPT. Please note that we have also instructed them to remove the signal once the MPT is removed and Summit Street is restored to its original westbound direction. We would appreciate your assistance in communicating to the community the temporary nature of the installation.

Hopefully, we'll see that signal installed soon. It is important to note that the signal will be temporary. However, it is gratifying that DOT has finally acknowledged the importance of traffic control along this overloaded route through our community. Next we just have to get the police to enforce the truck route regulations.

Time to Clean Up Port Trucking Industry

2011-10-29T15:58:00.004-04:00

As you may have heard, change is afoot on the port. Phoenix Beverages has replaced American Stevedoring as the operator of the Red Hook Container Terminal.

What haven't changed are CoWNA's concerns about the port: the salt pile, truck traffic and pollution. The Brooklyn Eagle recently published a letter from CoWNA about the pollution issue:

The port is an environmental asset for New York. On balance, it pollutes less than other ways of transporting goods to our region. But the port is a dirty business for the Columbia Waterfront and Red Hook.

One of our biggest problems is port truck pollution. Many port trucking companies misclassify their drivers as independent contractors and force them to buy their own vehicles. They pay the drivers so little that they can only afford the oldest and dirtiest trucks.

The Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association and our allies in the Coalition for Healthy Ports believe it is time to clean up the port trucking industry.

Phoenix Beverages, the new port operator, could be another important ally in this fight. Or it could be an obstacle. The good news is that the company has a record of negotiating with the community and is even committed to decreasing pollution from its private truck fleet. Here's hoping that Phoenix continues to be a good neighbor.

Reminder: Participatory Budget Neighborhood Assembly

2011-10-19T09:46:00.004-04:00

There will be a public meeting to kick off the Participatory Budgeting process hosted by Brad Lander tomorrow evening 6:30pm at PS 58, 330 Smith Street in Carroll Gardens.

Councilmember Lander will present information on the budget funds and residents will brainstorm project ideas and select budget delegates.

More information here and we hope to see you at the meeting.

Update on Traffic Controls for Columbia Street

2011-10-17T21:49:00.000-04:00

COWNA received a letter from DOT this month in response to our repeated request for a traffic signal on Columbia Street which was the site of a fatal traffic accident this year. The letter states that "field evaluations and engineering reviews" for two intersections were completed in August 2010 and and January 2011 and that DOT concludes that signals are not warranted. DOT will not initiate a new study for a minimum of 18 months.

Belinda Cape, of State Senator Dan Squadron's office, has been monitoring this for us. She reports that signals and all-way stops were last denied at Columbia and Carroll on 8/25/2010 and at Columbia and President on 1/13/2011.

New requests will be considered 18 months from the end of the studies: therefore the dates of eligibility for further study are: President and Columbia,7/13/2012 and Columbia and Carroll, 2/25/2012.

DOT has active study for Columbia and Summit for a temporary signal - we should be hearing the results of that shortly.

Columbia Street Reconstruction Update

2011-10-17T21:22:00.000-04:00

Update received from Community Board 6:

The Department of Design and Construction (DDC) has advised of an upcoming Night Work Operation that will involve closure of Van Brunt Street from Union Street to President Street (Southbound traffic) during the night.

Southbound trucks on Columbia Street will be detoured onto Congress Street, then southbound on Hicks Street.
The street closure/detour will be in affect on or about Wednesday, October 19, 2011 through Wednesday, October 26, 2011, from 9:00pm to 5:00am.
Van Brunt Street will be open to all traffic during the day and non-construction hours.

The DDC notice is available here.

CB6 further noted the following schedule for completion of the remaining work (keeping in mind that, with respect to the Columbia Street Reconstruction, things don't usually go according to plan).

Completion of the Sewer along Van Brunt Street (between Degraw Street and Hamilton Avenue): end of December 2011.

Completion of the Water Main along Van Brunt Street (between Degraw Street and Hamilton Avenue): end of February 2012.

Completion of Curb, Sidewalk, and Roadway surface of Van Brunt Street (between Degraw Street and Hamilton Avenue): end of April 2012.

Re-opening of Van Brunt Street, removal of the detour at Van Brunt Street/Hamilton Avenue/Summit Street and the restoration of two-way traffic along Van Brunt Street: end of April 2012.

Completion of work on Summit Street (between Columbia and Van Brunt Street): end of June 2012.

Participatory Budgeting for $1M capital funding

2011-09-21T20:34:00.001-04:00

Council member Brad Lander, along with 3 other NYC Council members, is spearheading a new approach to allocating money for capital projects out of the members’ discretionary funds. Known as Participatory Budgeting, the initiative involves district residents directly in the process of developing project proposals, working with city agencies, and voting on which projects will get funded.

The process makes budgeting more transparent and responsive to community needs. Please take a few minutes to read the NY Times article about it and visit Brad Lander’s web page for Participatory Budgeting.

The process involves a series of public assemblies and there are opportunities to volunteer in many capacities. Please volunteer, participate and help make this unique initiative a success!

Columbia Street Waterfront Fall Festival

2011-09-07T08:39:00.000-04:00

The annual Fall street festival hosted by Carroll Gardens Association is scheduled for this Saturday, September 10, from 11:00am to 6:00pm. Come join the festivities and enjoy shopping, music and food in our own main street.

Emergency BQE Repairs: Expect Jams on Columbia

2011-08-30T17:37:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Belinda Cape at Dan Squadron's office forwarding this information:

Due to emergency repair work on the cantilever section of the BQE, one of the eastbound (northerly direction) lanes is shut down. Repairs are scheduled to start tomorrow and may take a few days.

While work is in progress, the ramp from Atlantic Avenue will be closed. Furman Street will be opened to 2-way traffic and traffic agents will be on hand to help direct traffic over the temporary route.

Expect heavy congestion due to this and increased traffic on Hicks and Columbia Streets. Exercise additional caution when biking or walking in the area.

HURRICANE IRENE

2011-08-26T12:46:00.004-04:00

We have received emails from our local representatives regarding preparedness for the approaching storm. You can view information on their websites.

Thanks to Daniel Squadron's office for sending out links to the Office of Emergency Management severe weather site and a link to NYC's Hurricane Guide. You can also find information on his website.

Brad Lander's office has set up a very informative web page here. It contains an evacuation zone map as well as detailed information about evacuation centers and planning for the storm.

We've found the city's OEM website 'evacuation zone finder' to be extremely slow in response. Lander's map is better and a good evacuation zone map is posted by WNYC.

Another essential site for authoritative information is the NOAA. Their Hurricane Irene website is heaven for data geeks. See probability maps for winds and storm surge there, but please follow directives issued by the local authorities.

Help Improve B61 Service

2011-07-12T12:59:00.003-04:00

Councilman Brad Lander writes...

Our office is looking for volunteers to help improve the service of the B61 bus. By collecting data on B61 performance, our office is seeking to determine what can be done to help improve the speed of the B61. We are collecting ridership data to assess:
The number of riders who use the B61
Which bus stops have the highest and lowest ridership
Which buses are the most chronically delayed
How the closure of the Smith-9th Street subway station is impacting B61 riders' commutes
Where "bunching" of buses most frequently occurs along the route.
Our office will provide volunteers with the necessary field sheets to record their data. Volunteers will collect data on Monday-Thursday from July 11-28. Morning shifts are 7-9am and evening shifts are 4:30-6:30pm.

If you want to help -- and every bus rider in our neighborhood should! -- then get in touch with Matt Green at the councilman's office. He's reachable at 212-788-6969 and mgreen@council.nyc.gov.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Access Improvements

2011-07-11T08:39:00.010-04:00

On Thursday, July 7, representatives from NYC Department of Transportation presented proposed alterations to the intersection of Atlantic Avenue, Columbia Street and Furman Street in order to increase safety for the large number of pedestrians and bicyclists that cross this intersection due to the opening of Brooklyn Bridge Park.

More than a year ago COWNA requested improvements to this intersection as part of our comprehensive survey of Columbia Street safety needs. Other neighborhood groups and elected officials have also pushed for improvements. Thanks are due to DOT for working hard to bring this proposal before our community, presumably as quickly as they were able to.


Image from DOT

The proposed changes will improve the experience of getting to the park. However, it falls far short of a comprehensive solution to the problem of providing convenient and safe access to one of New York's newest and most compelling public spaces.

The central failing of the proposal is its acceptance of the existing traffic conditions around the BQE entrance at Atlantic and the existing truck access to Pier 7. We all know that a significant contributor to the congestion around the intersection of Atlantic, Hicks, Furman and Columbia is drivers taking shortcuts on Hicks, Furman and Columbia to avoid the BQE. Any plan to improve pedestrian safety should have included a thorough analysis of these traffic patterns and measures to reduce the bypassing traffic. At the most dangerous intersection, the ramp from Atlantic to the eastbound BQE, the proposal suggests mainly new signage. This is hardly likely to result in a significant improvement.

At the truck entrance to Pier 7, the proposal includes only providing better sight lines. What really should be acknowledged is that the pier entrance is just in the wrong place. It should be moved to the intersection of Columbia and Congress, where there are already gates, and signalized. This would also allow the creation of a safe pedestrian crossing at Columbia Street and Congress, which is convenient for people approaching from Cobble Hill. The current proposal recommends introducing a new crosswalk at the BQE westbound entrance which puts pedestrians in conflict with vehicles exiting the BQE onto Columbia.

The proposal includes two welcome changes: widening of the sidewalk curving into the park at the south side of Atlantic by shifting the bike lanes into the street and changing the B63 bus route to eliminate the U-turn. Unfortunately, the bike lanes will be protected with jersey barriers, a distinctly second-rate configuration which will probably remain in place for years, slowly deteriorating.

This is essentially a 'painted-on-the-street' proposal and should be considered no more than a temporary placeholder approach until a worthy design that appropriately prioritizes and serves the park-going public is created.

Neighborhood Meeting

2011-07-11T08:28:00.000-04:00

Please join the Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association for our summer

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

Thursday, July 21, 2011

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

On the agenda:

Helicopter Noise

Columbia Street Safety

Campaign for Healthy Ports

Fix the Ditch

Nominations for Board Positions

Jalopy Theater and School of Music

315 Columbia Street

Between Woodhull & Hamilton

Brooklyn Greenway Summer Benefit Party

2011-06-14T17:48:00.001-04:00

Support the Greenway at New Views 2011: Festa D'Estate!

Thursday, June 16th 6:00PM-9:00PM One Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Greenway Initiative's summer benefit party, New Views 2011: Festa D’Estate, will be held Thursday, June 16th, 6:00PM-9:00PM at One Brooklyn Bridge Park overlooking Pier 6, with spectacular views of the harbor and lower Manhattan. Special guests of honor include Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez and NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.

According to BGI Co-Founder Milton Puryear, “Our guests of honor this year are responsible for the two most significant project milestones in the development of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway: Congresswoman Velázquez’ securing of $14.4 million in federal funding for the project and Commissioner Sadik-Khan’s commitment to sponsor and build the Greenway. And now it is happening!”

Brooklyn Greenway Initiative is the 501(c)3 non-profit coordinating the planning, implementation and long term stewardship of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, a 14-mile waterfront bicycle and pedestrian route stretching from Greenpoint to Bay Ridge.

This year's benefit party will be a family-friendly Italian summer feast (Festa D'Estate), featuring a variety of food from some of Brooklyn's distinctive Italian restaurants, including Casa di Campagna; Caselnova, the neighborhood trattoria; Enoteca on Court; Fornino Park Slope; Lioni Fresh Mozzarella & Italian Heroes; Marco Polo Ristorante, and more.

Guests will also enjoy Italian wine compliments of Scotto's Wine Cellar , Peroni beer compliments of Phoenix Beverages , and San Pellegrino waters and soda compliments of Manhattan Beer Distributors …and great raffle prizes too, featuring a selection of fine Italian wines compliments of Tony DiDio Selections, as well as gift certificates from Grimaldi's Pizzeria, Enoteca on Court and Marco Polo Ristorante.

Attire is casual yet festive and, for the youngsters, Pier 6 playground is just steps from the party. Tickets start at 2 for $150 and can be purchased online at www.brooklyngreenway.org . All tickets will be held at the door. If you would like more information about this event, please contact Brian McCormick at 718.522.0193 or bmccormick@brooklyngreenway.org.

Safety on Columbia Street

2011-06-14T10:06:00.000-04:00

We received the following letter from the DOT in response to our letter regarding safety on Columbia Street:

Following is the text of our letter to DOT:

12 May 2011

Mr. Joseph Palmieri, Brooklyn Borough Commissioner
New York City Department of Transportation
16 Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11241

Dear Commissioner Palmieri:

The pedestrian that was struck and killed at the corner of Summit and Columbia Streets on March 31st this year is yet another sad reminder of the hazards of our main street. As all local residents know, Columbia Street is dangerous. There are a number of factors that make this so:

1. The section of Columbia Street between Degraw Street and Hamilton Avenue is particularly narrow, with parking on both sides. Vehicles cannot pass each other, but often try to do so. This contributes to congestion and accidents.

2. A lack of loading areas in the commercial strip results in double parking, causing further congestion.

3. Because we are near the port and the manufacturing areas of Red Hook, truckers often use Columbia Street as a shortcut to avoid using the less convenient legal truck route on the BQE.

4. Drivers seeking a route around the congestion in the BQE ‘trench’ exit at Atlantic Avenue, travel down Columbia Street and return at Hamilton Avenue.

5. The reconstruction work on Van Brunt Street has been going on for years with no clear end in sight. The designated local truck route of DeGraw Street and Van Brunt Street, was formerly two-way, but is now one-way southbound. Northbound traffic must divert onto Columbia Street via a complicated series of turns.

6. Poor sightlines exist at most intersections due to parked cars. This is especially true at the stop signs at President Street and Summit Street.

7. There is substantial pedestrian traffic crossing Columbia Street to reach the playground and Urban Meadow on President Street.

We expect significant increases of pedestrian and bicyclist activity in the coming months as the weather improves and more people visit Brooklyn Bridge Park. This activity will only increase as the Park is built out. Our neighborhood has several new apartment buildings and more developments are underway, increasing the number of residents who will be walking to the stores along Columbia Street and Union Street and visiting our local parks and gardens. It is now more important than ever that the safety of our residents and visitors be assured.

We met with DOT representatives and representatives from many of our elected officials and Community Board 6 in March of 2010 and issued a list of requests and recommendations. We are heartened by the progress being made on many of the requests. However, our number one priority remains taking every measure to make Columbia Street safer and, in particular taking measures that address the increasingly dangerous stretch of Columbia Street between DeGraw Street and Hamilton Avenue.

We therefore make the following recommendations to DOT:

· “Daylighting” intersections on Columbia Street between DeGraw Street and Hamilton Avenue.

· Signalizing intersections on Columbia Street south of Union Street.

· Installing “gateway” signage at DeGraw Street and Columbia Street sending a clear message to vehicles to “Slow Down - Thickly Settled Area” or similar language.

· Posting the maximum speed limit signage on Columbia Street between Atlantic Avenue and Hamilton Avenue.

· Studying the feasibility of adding more loading zones to lessen the impact of double parked delivery trucks.

· Installing pedestrian bulb-outs at the Degraw Street and Columbia Street intersection to alert all vehicles of the narrower street geometry on Columbia Street south of DeGraw Street. This will have the added advantage of signaling to trucks that the truck route does not continue on Columbia Street south of DeGraw Street once the designated truck route is back in service.

We look forward to working with you on these recommendations in a renewed effort to effectively address the dangerous conditions on Columbia Street.

Red Hook Jazz Festival at Urban Meadow

2011-05-19T09:23:00.001-04:00

More info @ http://urbanmeadowbrooklyn.blogspot.com/

All things BQE - Cobble Hill Association General Meeting

2011-05-19T09:17:00.001-04:00

For more information about the two major initiatives for the BQE in our area, please attend the following meeting. It is an opportunity to meet our neighbors and begin working toward building support for the BQE enhancements.

You Are Invited to the

COBBLE HILL ASSOCIATION

Spring, 2011 General Meeting

The BQE

Past

A fascinating look at the construction of the BQE “ditch”

that runs through our communities by historian Francis Morrone

Present

Update on plans to reconstruct Triple Cantilevered Roadway

and Future

How to “Fix the Ditch” – a presentation of the NYCEDC/

Starr Whitehouse “BQE Enhancement Study”

Time: 7:30 P.M.

Date: Monday, May 23, 2011

Place: Long Island College Hospital

Conference Room A

Enter at main entrance 339 Hicks (at Atlantic)

All members of the public are invited. No admission charge.

STOP THE CHOP

2011-05-11T21:50:00.000-04:00

Join State Senator Squadron, Congressman Nadler, Congresswoman Velazquez, State Senator Montgomery, Assemblywoman Millman, Councilmember Levin and Councilmember Lander

at a

Rally to End Tourist Helicopter Noise in Brooklyn

Sunday, May 15 - 1:00PM

Pier 6 Brooklyn Bridge Park

(at the end of Atlantic Avenue)

Join your neighbors, community leaders and local elected officials to rally to end all tourist helicopter flights from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. Brooklynites from DUMBO to Red Hook have put up with this nuisance for too long!

Rain or Shine!

Questions? - please contact

Senator Squadron's Office

718-875-1517 or adelisi@nysenate.gov

Reminder: COWNA Social This Sunday at MikNic Lounge

2011-04-29T09:25:00.000-04:00

The Columbia Waterfront Neighborhood Association
Invites you to our Spring Social

FIXING THE BQE DITCH:

NEXT STEPS?

Meet your Neighbors and Get Involved

Sunday, May 1

4 - 6 pm

MikNic Lounge

200 Columbia Street at Sackett Street

Happy Hour Drink Specials!

Columbia St. Tree Brigade - Saturday 4/30/11 - 10 AM

2011-04-26T18:13:00.000-04:00

Come help beautify the community and protect local trees by participating in the "Columbia Street Tree Brigade" this Saturday, 4/30/11 starting at 10am. We will be focusing our efforts this time around on Columbia St. between Union and Hamilton (last year's events covered Atlantic to Union).

Mulch and tools are being generously provided by the Partnership for Parks. Donations of used newspaper and cardboard are more than welcome - as this can be used for extra weed protection!

All ages are welcome - last year the kids loved it!

Saturday, 4/30/11
10 AM - until supplies run out
Meet at Woodhull and Columbia

The Columbia St. Tree Brigade is a project of the COWNA environment committee.