Thursday, June 17, 2010

Marty Markowitz Sued Over Asser Levy Park Concerts

Asser Levy/Seaside Park Seaside Summer Concert Series.  A lawsuit filed today charges that Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz's Seaside Summer Concert Series violates a city law which prohibits amplified sound within 500 feet of  of “a school, courthouse or church, during the hours of school,  court or worship."  Sea Breeze Jewish Center and Congregation Temple Beth Abraham are approximatly 300 feet away.  Plaintiffs charge the concerts have been illegally held in Asser Levy/Seaside Park since its inception in 1991. (File Photo, July 16, 2009 © By Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click photo to enlarge. 

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2010

 

Media Contact: 
Geoffrey Croft Norman Siegel, ESQ
NYC Park Advocates ( 212) 532-7586 - Office 
(212) 987-0565 (347) 907- 0867 - Cell
(646) 584-8250 Cell

Lawsuit Filed to Prevent New York City and Marty Markowitz From 
Violating NYC Sound Law Within 500 Feet Of
  Religious Institutions  • Concert Series in Asser Levy Park Affected  
  

(New York - June 17, 2010) A lawsuit was filed today in Brooklyn Supreme Court seeking to prevent the City of New York and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz from violating a NYC Law prohibiting amplified sound within 500 feet of religious institutions. Mr. Markowitz  sponsors an annual concert series in Asser Levy/Seaside Park, in Brighton Beach Brooklyn. This afternoon a Brooklyn Supreme justice signed an order to show cause setting a hearing on this matter for June 30th.

The suit is 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 in addition to sound-checks and rehearsals. The first Seaside Summer Concert Series is scheduled for July 15.   

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 plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Norman Siegel and Herbert Teitelbaum.

"It is very sad that Mr. Markowitz has no compassion for the thousands of people whose community and quality of life will be hurt by his actions," said Ida Sanoff a plaintiff in the case.  "He is unconcerned about flouting laws that protect the sanctity of religious institutions. "

"We are not against concerts just not right across the street from two synagogues.   We will not stand by idly. A year ago we met in good faith to negotiate with Mr. Markowitz but all he did was stone wall us.  Our borough president is not above the law." -  Al  Turk,  First Vice President, Temple Beth Abraham, a plaintiff in the case.

In the past, defendants have presented, or allowed to be presented, concerts and other special events at the Asser Levy Park band shell, illegally using electronic sound amplification devices or apparatus either without the required permit for the use of sound amplification, or with an illegally issued permit.  

"We are seeking an injunction against the defendants from operating electronic sound amplification equipment at the band shell during hours of worship, " said attorney Norman Siegel one of the plaintiffs' attorneys.                                           

                                                                         

Use of sound amplification devices or apparatus in streets, parks and other public  places within the City of New York is regulated by the Code which provides that sound  amplification devices or apparatus may be used in such places only under specific and limited  circumstances and conditions, and only with permits issued by the Police Department of the City  of New York.   The Code prohibits the use of sound amplification devices or apparatus at any  location that is within 500 feet of “a school, courthouse or church, during the hours of school,  court or worship, respectively.”  N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 10-108(g).  Accordingly, under such  circumstances permits are not to be issued allowing sound amplification devices or apparatus. 

            

Background: 

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz' and Mayor Bloomberg are proposing to build a $ 64 million, 10-story, eight thousand seat commercial amphitheater in the middle of a park in a residential community.  Opponents charge the proposed project, as currently planned, would destroy quality-of-life and also violate existing NYC Law prohibiting amplified sound within 500 feet of religious institutions when they are active. Two synagogues are approx. 300 feet away. New York City Administrative Code Section 10-108 Regulation of sound devices or apparatus - Regulation Of Sound Devices Or Apparatus. - New York Attorney Resources - New York Laws

The proposed concert arena would have more seats than Radio City Music Hall. 

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz has allocated approx. $ 52 Million, Mayor Bloomberg $ 10 million, State Senator Carl Kruger and local Council Member Domenic Recchia, Jr. approx.  $ I million each. 


NYC Park Advocates Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan watchdog group dedicated to restoring public funding, improving public parks, increasing public recreation programs, expanding open space and accessibility, and achieving the equitable distribution of these vital services in New York City for all. We are the only non-profit park advocacy group dedicated to all City, State and Federal parkland in New York City. For more information please visit us at nycparkadvocates.org

Read More:

WABC News - June 18, 2010 - By Sarah Wallace

Pix - Channel 11 - June 18, 2010 - By Monica Morales

CBS News -  June 18, 2010 - By Jay Dow
(The video in on the right)

1010 WINS - June 18,  2010 

Fox VIA AP  - June 18, 2010  

Gothamist - June 18, 2010 - By Jen Chung

The Brooklyn Eagle - by Raanan Geberer  - June 18, 2010

New York Daily News - June 18, 2010  - BY Erin Durkin  and Elizabeth Hays

Coney shul sour notes
New York Post - June 18, 2010 - By Rich Calder

New York Post - The Brooklyn Blog- June 17, 2010 - By Rich Calder

Heavy metal machers eye Marty’s amphitheater for Iron Maiden and Metallica

The Brooklyn Paper - May 14, 2010 - By Joe Maniscalco


Borough President Markowitz's $64-million amphitheater plan mocks democracy.
Courier-Life - April 28, 2010 

Marty requests 'interest' in amphitheater  
Bay Currents - April 23, 2010 -  By David J. Glenn


A Walk In the Park - April 21, 2010 

The Brooklyn Paper - April 20, 2010  - BY Joe Maniscalco 

The Brooklyn Paper - April 12, 2010 - By Joe Maniscalco

New York Times - February 10, 2010 - By Mireya Navarro

Bay News January 19, 2010 - By Joe Maniscalco

Bay News - January 12, 2010 - By Joe Maniscalco

Bay News - January 4, 2010 -  By Joe Maniscalco 


Bay News - December 21, 2009 - By Joe Maniscalco and Michele De Meglio 

Bay News - December 21, 2009 - By Joe Maniscalco

 


A Walk In The Park - December 15, 2009 - By Geoffrey Croft

Marty's amphitheater worries commission 

Bay News - December 15, 2009 - By Joe Maniscalco



New York Post - Brooklyn Blog - December 14, 2009 - By Rich Calder

A Matter of Pride
Bay News - December 13, 2009  - By Joe Maniscalco and Michele De Meglio

 

Amphitheater backlash shuts CB 13 meeting down
Bay News - November 23, 2009 - By Thomas Tracy

CB13 members between a rock and a hard place
Bay News - November 10, 2009 - By Joe Maniscalco

Post Launches Brooklyn Blog, Dishes on Coney Theater
BROWNSTONER  - November 10, 2009

Building Battle
News 12 Brooklyn - November 10, 2009 - By Nicole Ryan

Retractable roof could cover Coney Island amphitheater
New York Post - November 9, 2009 - By Rich Calder

War of Amphitheater words
Bay News - November 6, 2009  - By Michele Meglio

Parks Doesn't rule out amphitheater ULURP
Bay News - November 4, 2009 - By Joe Maniscalco

Jeers for "Soulless" CB 13
New York Post - November 2, 2009 - By Michele Meglio

amNY - October 29, 2009

The Buzz
It can be tough to win support for any public project, and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz is experiencing 
his share of opposition to a $64 million plan to build an amphitheater in Seaside Park. Some neighbors have formed a
protest group, Save Seaside Park. 

This fall, former community board member Ida Sanoff was booted from the local Beaches and Parks Committee, because of her opposition to the project, she said. 

Amphitheater Fight - Cindy Mogie 
News 12 Brooklyn - October 18, 2009

Not so ‘amped up’ anymore -
Bay News - October 9, 2009 - By Joe Maniscalco with Michèle De Meglio

Jeers for CB 13 "Iron curtain"
Bay News - October 9, 2009 - By Joe Maniscalco and Michele De Meglio

Marty's 'Potato chip' gets stale
The Brooklyn Paper - September 11, 2009 -  By Joe Maniscalco

Marty hits pause
Drive to build new amphitheater is delayed
Bay News - September 10, 2009 -  By Joe Maniscalco


Brooklyn Graphic - August 13, 2009 - By Joe Maniscalco

 


A Walk In The Park - July 30, 2009 - By Geoffrey Croft


Bay News - July 21, 2009 - By Joe Maniscalco



City Limits -  July 13, 2009 -  By Alissa Ambrose


НОВОЕ РУССКОЕ СЛОВО  - July 7, 2009


Bay News - June 18, 2009 - By Joe Maniscalco

 

Planners try to hush critics on Coney concert arena noise

New York Daily News - May 31, 2009 - By  Elizabeth Hayes 

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/05/31/2009-05-31_trying_to_hush_the_critics_planners_say_proposed_coney_concert_arena_will_be_qui.html


Asser Levy showdown looming
Bay News - May 28, 2009 -  By Joe Maniscalco

Brooklyn Residents Protest Construction Of New Amphitheater
NY 1 - May 27, 2009

http://www.ny1.com/Default.aspx?ArID=99716

Coney Island Cluster
Rally against  Markowitz's 'Potato chip' plan
The Brooklyn Paper - May 22, 2009 - By Gersh Kuntzman

Theater of the Outraged
Bay News - May 21, 2009 - By Joe Maniscalco

Coney Sound & Fury
New York  Post - May 18, 2009 - By C. J. Sullivan

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05182009/news/regionalnews/coney_sound__fury_169816.htm


Group Fights Marty's 'Potoato Chip'
The Brooklyn Paper - May 18, 2008  By Gersh Kuntzman

Battle pits synagogue vs. B'klyn concert hall
Metro NY - May 18, 2009 - By Pat Arden 

Brooklyn Residents Protest Construction Of New Amphitheater
NY 1 -  May 17, 2009

More outrage in Brighton Beach 
News 12 Brooklyn - May 17, 2009 -  By Stacey Delikat

Coney Island synagogue to use city noise law to foil Markowitz's concert hall

New York Daily News - May 17, 2009 - Elizabeth Hayes 

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/05/17/2009-05-17_coney_island_synagogue_to_use_city_noise_law_to_foil_boro_prezs_concert_hall.html

Markowitz's plan to build $64 million Coney Island amphitheater comes under fire

New York Daily News - April 20, 2009 - Elizabeth Hayes 

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/04/19/2009-04-19_markowitzs_plan_to_build_64_million_coney_island_amphitheater_comes_under_fire.html


Boardwalk Rock
City Push for Coney Concerts
NY Post  - April 4, 2009  - By Rich Calder

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04042009/news/regionalnews/boardwalk_rock_162854.htm

Coneys' New Big Top
The Architect's Newspaper - April 1, 2009

New York Daily News - March 29, 2009 - By Elizabeth Hayes


Marty Faces Fight
Many vow to block amphitheater
Bay News - March 19, 2009 - By Joe Maniscalco

A look at “Marty’s Potato Chip” aka the Grimshaw Amphitheater 
Gowanus Lounge - February 13, 2009

 

Residents say no to Marty's giant potato chip in park
Bay Currents  - February  2009 - By David Glenn 

Critics jeer amphitheater - Park advocates denounce
plan for new Coney Island Ctr.
YOUR NABE.com - February 6, 2009 - By Joe Maniscalo

Big plans for a new amphitheater -
News 12 Brooklyn - January 28, 2009 -  By Andrea Grymes

Coney residents: Asser Levy us alone!
The Brooklyn Paper - January 23, 2009 - By Mike McLaughlin

$ 64 Million Question: New Seaside Park Amphitheater
Brooklyn Daily Eagle  - January 23, 2009 -  by Harold Egelin

Opposition To New Coney Amphitheater
Curbed  - January 16, 2009 -  by Robert

http://curbed.com/archives/2009/01/16/opposition_developing_to_expensive_new_coney_ampitheater.php

Coney's $ 64 Mil Rock In The Park
NY Post - November 24, 2008 -  By Rich Calder

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/regional/coney_mil_rock_in_the_park_Wmpq4uVm4iA9fApbWCAsQN


An Amphitheater for Coney Island?
BROWNSTONER  - February 11, 2008

Opposition to Marowitz Coney Amphitheater Building?
GOWANUS LOUNGE - January 16, 2009
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Prospect Park Goose Shot Through Neck



Photo: Garey Lewis


BROOKLYN


The drama never ends at Prospect Park lake.

 Wednesday afternoon, there was a Canada goose running around with an arrow  or dart through its neck, the parks department said, according to the New York Times.

“It looked like it had a pen stuck right through its neck,” said a park-watcher, Anne-Katrin Titze, who first spotted the wounded bird near the skating rink around 8 a.m.

A parks spokesman, Philip Abramson, said in an e-mail message: “Our Urban Park Rangers report that they have been making attempts to catch the goose.

Read More:

Goose Shot Through Neck in Prospect Park
New York Times - City Room - June 16, 2010 - By Andy Newman

Park goose shot with bow and arrow — and we have the pictures! 
The Brooklyn Paper - June 17, 2010 - By Stephen Brown 


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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Bloomberg's Yankee Follies Continue: Parking Garages Two Years Behind on Rent

Metal Fabric Parking Garage Facade

No Surprise. For years critics of the Yankee Stadium redevelopment project have predicted the city's tax-payers would be on the hook for the parking garages in the deal negotiated by the Bloomberg administration. Compounding the problem, the administration gave the Yankee organization 600 free spots in the VIP garage (above). The Yankees Win. The Yankees Win.

Bronx

The private developer chosen by the Bloomberg administration to run the new $340 million Yankee Stadium parking system is two years behind on its city rent, according to the New York Daily News.

As of this month, Bronx Parking Development LLC owes the city $8.7 million in back rent and interest. That tab will soon grow to more than $10million because city officials have allowed the firm to defer the rest of this year's rent as well.

Meanwhile, Bronx Parking, which has no connection to the Yankees, has yet to pay a nickel in property taxes.

When the city and state originally unveiled plans in 2005 for a new Yankee Stadium, they also agreed to increase the number of stadium parking spaces to 9,000 - a key condition of Yankees executives for staying in the Bronx.

The state contributed $70 million in cash for new garages, while the city donated park land and provided tax-exempt financing.

At the time, everyone promised the new garages would produce annual rent revenues for the city at least equal to the $3million the old garages generated. But deep in the fine print, the city inserted a provision that allowed the developer to defer any city payments in years where cash flow was insufficient.

"Last year, occupancy [for the garages] was lower than the analysis predicted," said David Lombino, a spokesman for the city's Economic Development Administration. "As the economy improves, we can expect that occupancy would improve."

Don't hold your breath.

Bronx Parking's audited financial reports show the garages produced $12 million in revenue during the Yankees championship season last year. That was a little more than the company projected when it launched the project.


Read More:

New York Daily News - June 16th 2010 - Juan Gonzalez

Field Of Schemes - June 16, 2010 - By Neil deMause
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Man Found Hanged In Riverdale Park

BRONX


A Bronx man was found hanged in Riverdale Park Saturday afternoon after he sent a text message to his family saying he was going to kill himself, police said yesterday, according to the New York Post


The 26-year-old man, whose name is being withheld, sent the disturbing message to family and friends at 3:58 p.m. Saturday, stating he was going to hang himself in the park near West 240th Street and Riverdale Avenue.


Police later found his body hanging from a tree near that location.


Sources said the man had been depressed over debts.


Read More: 

New York Post - June 15, 2010 - By Jamie Schram and Jessica Simeone

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Monday, June 14, 2010

Tavern On The Green $ 86 Million Dollar Fallout

Manhattan

What was the city thinking?

Mayor Bloomberg rejected a proposal that promised an extra $30 million cash for the city's depleted coffers in order to hand the lease for Tavern on the Green to restaurateur Dean Poll, who never even succeeded in opening the restaurant, The Post has learned.

Jennifer LeRoy whose family had operated the iconic Central Park eatery since 1974 -- agreed to pay the city $86 million in fees over the 20-year lease, according to financial documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Law. Poll, who runs the nearby Boathouse Cafe, offered only $57.3 million.


A third respondent to the city's request for proposals, or RFP, in February 2009, Capitale owner Seth Greenberg, projected paying the city $47 million for the park con cession. His plan didn't make it to the next round, according to a lawyer for the Parks Depart ment, which oversaw the RFP.

But the city seemed bent on bouncing LeRoy, insiders said, in part because of con cerns about the heiress' business savvy, her company's failing fi nances and a long grudge against her late father.

Poll, awarded the lease in August, never was able to reopen the 66-year-old, 23,000-square-foot landmark after failing to reach a deal with its 400 union workers. Bloomberg announced last month that Tavern on the Green -- once the second-highest-grossing restaurant in the country -- will temporarily become a visitors center and hot-dog stand.


Mayor said no to $86M Tavern on the Green deal out of 'spite' for LeRoys
New York Post - June 13, 2010 -  By Annie Karni 
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Sunday, June 13, 2010

38-Year-Old Man Stabbed in Marcus Garvey Park - Fourth Park Knife Victim In Three Weeks

Man Stabbed in Chest in East Harlem Weeks After String of Violent Attacks
June 11, 2010. Stabbing Scene. Marcus Garvey Park entrance at 121st Street and Madison Avenue. A 38-year-old man was stabbed in Marcus Garvey Park at approx. 2 p.m. He was the fourth victim to be knifed on the park property in three weeks. In the early morning of May 26, three men were stabbed by what appeared to be a military-style knife in a string of apparently random attacks near the park’s southern entrance at 125th Street and Lexington Avenue. Officers chased the attacker into the park, but he got away. (Photo: Ben Fractenberg/DN Ainfo)

Manhattan

A man was stabbed in the chest in a brazen midday attack on Friday just weeks after a bloody triple-stabbing occurred only blocks away, police said.


The 38-year-old was stabbed once by another man about 2 p.m. near the southeast corner of Marcus Garvey Park, at Madison Avenue and 120th Street, the NYPD said, according to DNAinfo.


The victim was taken across the street to North General Hospital and was in stable condition, police said.


Police described the attacker as in his 20s, with blond hair and blue eyes.


“Wow, in broad daylight,” said a shocked Maya Ife, 34, of East Harlem, who heard about the near-fatal incident from police at the scene.


In the early morning of May 26, three men were stabbed in a string of apparently random attacks by an unknown assailant near the park’s southern entrance and next to the subway station at 125th Street and Lexington Avenue, police said.


Police would not speculate on whether the incidents were related, but descriptions of the two suspects differed.


Read More:

DNAinfo - June 13, 2010 - By Ben Fractenberg and Patrick Hedlund



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