Thank you to Karina Smith, Department of Parks and Recreation’s Correspondence Liaison for Special Projects, for the following information concerning the future Carmine Carro Community Center:

The community center is situated within the large outdoor active recreation area of Marine Park, which is also an important natural link to the Jamaica Bay ecosystem.   The center will provide a long-awaited community meeting and gathering space for large and small local groups in a divisible multi-purpose space which will serve 180 senior citizens breakfast and lunch daily.  There will be a training classroom within equipped with computer stations, and an adjacent outdoor plaza is provided for meals, events and informal social gatherings in suitable weather.

Marine Park Community Center is the first environmentally friendly, sustainable green building designed by the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) staff; and it is the first DPR building registered for LEED® certification.  During daylight hours the building is naturally lit by operable clerestory windows in the brick walls.  An ‘air displacement ventilation system’ provides fresh air at a pleasant temperature directly to the center-goers throughout the year. A geothermal well system pumps pleasantly warm water from the aquifer through the building providing heating or cooling, while reducing electrical consumption and greenhouse gas emission.  The lower roof is vegetated, insulating the building against hot and cold weather, while the plants filter out rain water contaminants, reduce storm-water run-off and humidify the atmosphere. On the upper roof a farm of solar panels produce 10% of the building’s electrical need.

Trees and broadly overhanging roofs provide exterior shade on the plaza, while light colored paving reflects the sun’s heating rays. The indigenous vegetation and meadow grass of the surrounding landscape obviate the need for irrigation.

Our anticipated completion date for the center is August 2010, and we are confident that you will enjoy the results.

Marine Park on a beautiful Autumn afternoon.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Photo by Mike McLaughlin of the New York Daily News

Such wonderful timing!  If you have been involved in the fervent discussion during the past few days on the “War of the Bells” post regarding St. Thomas Aquinas Church ringing the bells every hour on the hour and a nearby resident’s (artistic) opposition towards this, you must check out today’s Daily News article.  The article interviews John Russo and chronicles his pleas to various different groups to try to get the bell-ringing ceased.  Perhaps this story will do the trick?

A small schoolbus was one of four vehicles involved in an accident this morning on Gerritsen Avenue and Avenue S at approximately 8 AM.  GerritsenBeach.net reports that nine people were injured, with three sustaining serious injuries.  Anyone have any updates?

Valley National Bank has recently opened on Avenue U and East 29th Street.  It seems that most large developments these days are large banks and drug store chains.  This is a phenomenon all throughout New York City, with local businesses and mom and pop stores falling to the wayside.  Is there any hope of this trend being reversed?

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES!

“My parents’ house on Kimball St off Avenue S was broken into Friday November 13th during the afternoon/evening.  Police said that this was the 3rd confirmed break in that day in the area.  They broke in through a basement window.  Friday was a nasty day so most people stayed indoors.  Nobody saw anything.  Make sure all your windows are locked and think about gates on basement windows that are the old style single pane glass (that is how they got in).  The sad part of this story is my mother is a life long resident of Marine Park (72 years) and this is the 3rd break-in. After each one they got a dog – maybe it’s time for another? Keep your eyes open and Lock up!”

If anyone else has additional information concerning this please let MarineParker know.

On this gloomy day, everyone can use a little sunshine.  Have a great weekend!

If you reside within Southern Marine Park in the vicinity of Flatbush Avenue, chances are that you are cognizant of the bells being rung every hour, on the hour, by St. Thomas Aquinas Church.  Although I live a few blocks away, I oftentimes hear the bells very clearly so one can imagine what they must sound like for residents adjacent to the church.  One displeased resident on Coleman Street between Flatlands Avenue and Avenue P has chosen to voice his/her concern through artistic means for at least the past year, possibly two years.  Reminiscent of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream,” the painting displayed in front of the house (in addition to the signage) clearly exhibits the owner’s sentiments toward the bells. 

Can neighbors offer some further information concerning this?  Has St. Thomas reached out to this owner?   Since this signage is still up, it is probably safe to say that this problem has not been rectified and may not be for quite some while.