Showing posts with label Marty Markowitz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marty Markowitz. Show all posts

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Coney Island Community Garden Bulldozed For Marty Markowitz's Amphitheater

City bulldozes community garden in dead of night

 Under cover of darkness a beloved community garden in Coney Island was bulldozed beginning at 5am Saturday morning to make way for  Marty Markowitz's $ 53 million dollar amphitheater.   The developer – iStar  –  destroyed 16 years of a community gardening effort.

 The Parks Department transferred its jurisdiction of the community garden to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) in late August 2013.  

A press conference is being held tomorrow at 11:00 at the site.


Former Garden. 

Brooklyn

A developer bulldozed a beloved community garden in Coney Island on Saturday to make way for an amphitheater — uprooting 20 chickens on a decades-old plot that survived Hurricane Sandy.
Construction workers entered the Boardwalk Garden under the cover of darkness and chucked tools and wheelbarrows, along with farm fowl and a colony of feral cats, activists say.
The chickens were placed in pet carriers on the sidewalk and the felines were left fending for themselves.
“They destroyed life!” fumed tearful volunteer Elena Voitsenko, 60, a Russian immigrant who told The Post she’ll take in the birds until they find a new home.
“‎I came to America to escape from the communist regime,” she added. “This is more than the communist regime! They came at 4 in the morning.”
Workers razed the sprawling, 70,000-square-foot garden on West 22nd Street about a week after the City Council approved plans to convert the empty Childs Restaurant and its adjacent land into a 5,000-seat venue.
The $53 million project was trumpeted by outgoing Borough President Marty Markowitz, who tried previously to build a controversial amphitheater in Asser Levy Park in 2009.
Under the new plan, the city will buy the Childs building from iStar Financial and turn it into a restaurant and concert venue. The adjacent garden is slated to become a seating area.
The community board voted against the project in September, and locals have railed against turning the historic property into a noisy venue.
“The community does not want this amphitheater built on this land . . . but the city went ahead with this anyway,” said Yury Openzik, ‎34. “I’m heartbroken, not only for myself, but for the elderly people that were gardening here every day.”
Throughout Saturday, volunteers recovered their belongings after workers knocked down plots for tomatoes, cabbage, zucchinis and other vegetables.
Residents say they’ve run the garden since the 1980s.
The city Economic Development Corp., which is spearheading the project, referred questions to the borough president. Markowitz’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Bulldozed garden. 
Read More:

New York Post -  By Aaron Feis and Kate Briquelet December 29, 2013

New York City Community Garden Coalition - December  28, 2013 -  By AZIZ DEHKAN

Residents Outraged By Bulldozing Of Brooklyn Community Garden
WCBS - December 28, 2013




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Sunday, October 6, 2013

Parks Department Refuses To Fix Dangerous Sidewalk Around Brooklyn's Borough Hall





























Trip Hazzard. Tourists balance on crumbling bluestones last week in front of Brooklyn Borough Hall near Court Street.  For years the public has complained about the dangerous conditions. Despite being aware of the public safety issue for more than a decade the Parks Department has refused to fix the problems and is now attempting to rely on expensive capital dollars instead of "expense" dollars to address what should be basic maintenance needs. (Photo: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) click to enlarge

Just five months ago,  the Parks Department promised to spend nearly $10M in capital funds but no one allocated the money.  Meanwhile Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz has earmarked $ 60 million dollars to build an amphitheater but has refused to allocated a penny to ensure the public can traverse safely around Borough Hall.

 Brooklyn

The city has abandoned its own long-delayed plan to fix the crumbling bluestones in front of Borough Hall — and is dumping the blame on the very politicians who have complained about the bone-breaking mess, according to the New York Daily News.

In April, the Parks Department announced it wanted to spend up to $9.5 million to replace the disintegrating tiles on Brooklyn's most visible plaza. But five months later, the Bloomberg administration has not set aside a single dime for the project — nor has any Brooklyn pol.

Advocates for parks — and untwisted ankles — are fuming.

"It's outrageous that the Parks Department continues to put the city at risk instead of fixing what has been a problem for many, many years," said Geoffrey Croft, president of New York City Park Advocates, a watchdog group.

The bluestone coverage in the plaza is thin and fragile — yet for years, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz let people drive and park on the plaza, a move banned by his predecessor. The result is pocked pavement and petrified pedestrians.    

"It's disgusting and gangrenous," said senior Rosemarie Markgraf, who struggles to keep her balance whenever she strolls past the historic building and nearby courthouses.

Earlier this summer, an unidentified woman screamed out in pain after she stumbled on the stones. Paramedics rushed to the scene as stunned onlookers tried to comfort her.

And in 2010, a 71-year-old Fort Greene resident sued the city after she tripped and fractured her hip on the cracked slate. Her cases is still hobbling through the legal system.

"I'm still scared to walk there. It really needs to be fixed," said the plaintiff, Joan Bassin.

Markowitz has repeatedly said fixing the minefield outside the county seat is a top priority.  

Lookout below: An unidentified woman tripped and fell on the crumbling bluestones in front of Borough Hall earlier this summer.

How many more people have to get hurt? An unidentified woman tripped and fell on the crumbling bluestones in front of Borough Hall earlier this summer.   The Parks Department has laid off many of the skilled laborers that used to address these issues. (Photo: Reuven Blau/New York Daily News)


But the boisterous beep has never earmarked any of his capital funds towards the rock revamp.

"No funds have been allocated to our budget for the pavement surrounding Borough Hall," said Parks Department spokeswoman Meghan Lalor.

Still, Markowitz has begged the city to take care of it.

"I have time and again requested the city to make complete repairs," Markowitz said in a statement.

"It is my hope that media attention can be the catalyst to make this renovation a reality."

The plaza is the epicenter of popular events like the recent Brooklyn Book Festival and numerous afternoon concerts.

"It's the people's house and a very important building," said Bob Furman of the Brooklyn Preservation Council, whose wife fell on the cracked stones a few months ago. She didn't sue, but many have, though city officials refuse to disclose the exact number slip-and-fall plaintiffs.   

In November 2011, Community Board 2 officials wanted to find out how much the stone age problem has cost the city, so they filed a request under the Freedom of Information Law seeking a list of all the lawsuits and city settlements. The request was denied.

 "We haven't heard back," said District Manager Robert Perris. Critics of the department contend that lack of staffing has also stalled the discussed overhaul.

Since 1990, the Parks Department workforce has been cut by 5% each year.

"There aren't enough skilled workers in parks to attend to these much needed projects," said Joe Puleo, president of Local 983 of District Council 37, which represents the parks workers.

"And ultimately it ends up costing the city much more in lawsuits as a result of this."  



Crumbling bluestones in front of Borough Hall.  (Photo: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) click to enlarge

Read More:

Break a leg! City says there’s no money to fix cracked and dangerous pavement at Brooklyn Borough Hall  Only five months ago, Parks Department promised to spend nearly $10M. But no one allocated the money! 
New York Daily News - Reuven Blau - October 3, 2013


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Friday, December 14, 2012

Markowitz - Bring ML Soccer Stadium To Brooklyn


Queens/Brooklyn
He stole the Nets from New Jersey and the Islanders from Long Island — and now he’s after the new soccer franchise trying to set up shop in Queens.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz wants Major League Soccer to drop its plan to build a pro-soccer stadium in Flushing Meadows Park, and instead field a team in the “greener pastures” of his borough, according to the New York Post. 
The Beep says no place on earth can compete with the cachet of the Brooklyn brand — and claims the Borough of Kings is filled with more soccer-starved fans than its neighbor to the east.
“I know Queens is pushing for a stadium, but I believe pro soccer belongs here in Brooklyn,” Markowitz said following a ceremony marking the opening of three new sports fields in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
“Soccer is the Number 1 sport in the world, so why shouldn’t we have a team here in Brooklyn?”
He suggested East New York or Brownsville, saying both struggling neighborhoods could use the economic boost and have the empty land and transportation access needed. He also mentioned East Williamsburg and Bushwick.
Queens Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., called it a declaration of war.
“Brooklyn is already in the process of stealing our . . . Civic Virtue statue and moving it to Green-Wood Cemetery, so what’s next, the Mets?” he fired back. “I better go and lock up the Unisphere.”
Vallone has yet to take a position on whether Flushing Meadows is the best place in Queens for a 25,000-seat soccer stadium, saying he has concerns about the use of existing parkland.
Queens Borough President Helen Marshall had similar reservations about parkland, but wants the stadium for her borough.
Mayor Bloomberg supports Queens, although the plan faces opposition from park advocates and some civic organizations in the borough.
Asked about the league’s new suitor, MLS spokeswoman Risa Heller said it’s “100 percent focused on bringing pro soccer to Queens.”
New York Red Bulls GM Jérôme de Bontin, a former resident of Brooklyn Heights, said that while he “isn’t qualified to speak for the league,” he thinks a Brooklyn pro soccer team “could do well.” The Red Bulls play in Harrison, NJ.
Markowitz’s plan was well received by one of his biggest critics, Geoffrey Croft of New York City Park Advocates.
“Markowitz’s idea makes more sense than taking parkland at the expense of one of Queens’ heaviest-used parks,” he said.

Read More:

Brooklyn’s boot-iful! Marty’s goal to beat Qns. for soccer club
New York Post -  December 14, 2012 - By Rich Calder

 Opposition To Flushing Meadows Park Land Grab Takes To The Streets
A Walk In The Park - December 10, 2012 - By Geoffrey Croft 
A Walk In the Park - December 10, 2012
December 8, 2012

December 8, 2012

A Walk In the Park - December 5, 2012

A Walk In the Park - December 3, 2012

A Walk In the Park - November 30, 2012

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Under Siege
New York Daily News - October 22, 2012 - By Geoffrey Croft



A Walk In The Park - October 10, 2012 


A Walk In The Park - October 9, 2012

A Walk In The Park - October 9, 2012 

A Walk In The Park - October 6, 2012 

A Walk In The Park - October 5, 2012 

A Walk In The Park - October 4, 2012 

A Walk In The Park - October 2,  2012 

A Walk In The Park - September 15, 2012 -  By Geoffrey Croft 


A Walk In The Park - June 23, 2012



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Friday, April 8, 2011

Markowitz Blaming Everyone Else Over Loss Of Asser Levy Park Concerts

After violating the law for nineteen years by holding his concerts within 500 feet of houses of worship, Brooklyn Borough President is still intent on blaming others for having to move his concert series.

"It is quite sad that a small group of disgruntled people are determined to destroy the Seaside Summer Concert Series that has entertained hundreds of thousands of Brooklynites and New York City residents for over 30 years, " he said in statement on Thursday."


Brooklyn

A popular Brooklyn summer concert series is on the move to a new location, after an ongoing lawsuit was filed seeking to stop the shows. Borough reporter Jeanine Ramirez filed the following report.

The Seaside Summer Concert Series have been in Asser Levy Park since 1991, but not this summer. As first reported on NY1, the city dropped the park as a venue this year, to help settle a lawsuit by nearby residents about the noise.

Their lawyer, Norman Siegel, said Thursday that that is not enough.

"The question then becomes what about 2012, 2013?" said Siegel.

Lawyers from both sides met Thursday to work out the details.

Plaintiffs do not want the park used for any event with amplified sound because two synagogues are less than 500 feet away, which violates city noise code. They also want to be reimbursed for money spent trying to prove their case.

"We had to hire an expert who would go to the concerts and would measure the decibel level of the noise and then compare it to the law," said Siegel.

The concert series is the brainchild of Borough President Marty Markowitz, who along with the city, was named in the lawsuit.

On Thursday his office issued a statement that said, "It is quite sad that a small group of disgruntled people are determined to destroy the Seaside Summer Concert Series that has entertained hundreds of thousands of Brooklynites and New York City residents for over 30 years."

Lawyers for the group disagreed.

"This lawsuit was not an anti-concert lawsuit. This lawsuit is about where these concerts take place," said plantiffs' lawyer Herbert Teitelbaum.

The issue should be resolved by the end of the month. Both sides are due back in court on April 26.

Markowitz vows the shows will go on somewhere else, but still in Coney Island.

Read/View More:

NY 1 - April 7, 2011 - By Jeanine Ramirez

A Walk In The Park - April 1, 2011

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Friday, April 1, 2011

Markowitz's Controversial Seaside Park/Asser Levy Concerts Moving This Summer

Update:


The city has agreed to move Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz's Summer Concert Series from Asser Levy/Seaside Park this summer. The new location is expected to be announced this week. City sources tell us the parking lot of the New York Aquarium is not one of the two locations being considered. The next scheduled court conference regarding the lawsuit is on April 7, 2011. - Geoffrey Croft


Brooklyn


NY1 has learned exclusively that Brooklyn's Seaside summer concert series, traditionally held in Coney Island's Asser Levy Park may be moving to a new location.


A brainchild of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, the concerts have been attacked by some residents for being too noisy….and too close to several synagogues in the area.


Sources say other possible locations for the concerts include the parking lot of the New York Aquarium. The concerts have been held in Asser Levy park since 1991.


NY1 News - March 31, 2011

New York Post - The Brooklyn Blog - April 1, 2011 - By Rich Calder

New York Daily News - April 1, 2011 - By Erin Durkin

The Brooklyn Paper - April 1, 2011 - By Alex Rush


Background


A lawsuit was filed on June 17, in Brooklyn Supreme Court on behalf of two synagogues seeking to prevent the City of New York and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz from violating a long-time law forbidding amplified concerts within 500 feet of a house of worship, schools, hospitals, and courthouses. On June 29th, 2010, the City Council passed a bill which excluded Asser Levy/Seaside Park from the law. The bill to change the existing law was hastily introduced by Queens Council Member Peter Vallone at the request of Mayor Bloomberg The amendment was a clear end-run around the existing law. Since 1991 Mr. Markowitz has sponsored an annual concert series in Asser Levy/Seaside Park, in Brighton Beach Brooklyn.

In violation of the law, these concerts have coincided with the hours of worship of Plaintiff Congregation Sea Breeze Jewish Center and with the hours of worship of Plaintiff Congregation Temple Beth Abraham. The two synagogues are approx. 300 feet away.

The suit was brought against defendants the City of New York and Brooklyn Borough President, Martin Markowitz, with regard to the violation of Title 10, Chapter 1, Section 10-108 (g) of the New York City Administrative Code, and Title 38, Chapter 8, Section 8-06 of the Rules and Regulations of the City of New York (together, the “Code”), which prohibit the use of electronic sound amplification equipment at any location within 500 feet of houses of worship during hours of worship. Plaintiffs are directly and adversely affected by the Defendants’ annual operation of the Parks Department band shell in Asser Levy Park, which comes within 500 feet of Plaintiffs’ houses of worship, as a concert and event venue using electronic sound amplification equipment.

Electronic sound amplification equipment is used during the concerts. Mayor Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz want to build a $64 million, eight thousand seat amphitheater in Asser Levy/Seaside Park, right across the street from Sea Breeze Jewish Center and Temple Beth Abraham. - Geoffrey Croft


Read More:


Markowitz's Hoping to Continue To Use "Chain Gang" For Concert Series

A Walk In The Park - August 26, 2010


A Walk In The Park - August 16, 2010

A Walk In The Park - August 19, 2010

A Walk In The Park - July 24, 2011

A Walk In The Park - July 13, 2011 - By Geoffrey Croft

A Walk In The Park - July 1, 2010

A Walk In The Park - June 25, 2010

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Monday, November 29, 2010

Push To Restore Brighton/Manhattan Beach Waterfront Access

A storm damaged the Manhattan Beach Esplanade. Morgan Presswater/Brookyln View
A crumbling esplanade connects Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach Park. A chain link fence was built by the late Jack Laboz in the 80's to prevent the general public from accessing the promenade in front of his large house at 293 Amherst St. between Amherst & Beaumont Sts. along the waterfront. In December 1993, a State court ruled in favor of Mr. Laboz, "a politically connected Brooklyn developer" which allowed the fence to remain. (Photo: Brooklyn View)

Brooklyn

Brooklyn leaders are pushing a public-promenade plan that would reconnect the exclusive seaside neighborhood of Manhattan Beach with the rest of the borough’s less affluent southern shorefront, according to the New York Post.

Under the proposal, an eight-block rickety walkway that was fenced off from "outsiders" through a 1993 court order would be reopened and replaced with a new promenade. It would connect with the neighborhood’s public beach to the east and the Brighton Beach and Coney Island boardwalk to the west.

"Waterfront views should never be blocked," said Theresa Scavo, chairwoman of Brooklyn Community Board 15. "The city is finding ways to bring greenways for walking and biking to Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn. Why can’t Southern Brooklyn have something like that?"

The proposal is one of many being pitched by the Brooklyn Borough Board — comprised of Borough President Marty Markowitz and community board leaders like Scavo — for consideration as the city Planning Department drafts its "Vision 2020" comprehensive citywide waterfront development plan.

Other Brooklyn goals of note include establishing recreational access at both Plumb Beach in Mill Basin and polluted Coney Island Creek, bringing back ferry service to the 39th Street, 69th Street and Steeplechase Piers and widening a heavily used waterfront bike path running from Bensonhurst, past the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and to Bay Ridge.

The weatherworn Manhattan Beach cement esplanade dates back to the mid 1800s and was once heavily used.

But a state judge in 1993 ruled it private property belonging to shorefront homeowners by siding with Jack Laboz, a politically connected Brooklyn developer.

Laboz six years earlier blocked off part of the walkway by erecting a massive fence behind his grand home at 293 Amherst St. His deep pockets helped withstand a legal challenge by some of Manhattan Beach’s roughly 800 homeowners.

Scavo said that, if the city gets involved, she believes it could use its clout to easily overturn that ruling because some property deeds describe the esplanade as a pedestrian street.

Read More:

New York Post - November 29, 2010 - By Rich Calder

New York Times - November 28, 1993 - By Lynette Holloway

New York Times - December 26, 1993





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