This weekend there will be no detours to Manhattan-bound traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Front page news from the Brooklyn Eagle

Read the full article here.

Do you want to boost your political advocacy skills with other subway and bus riders? Join us for a special training and learn how to lobby your elected officials in Albany!

In the lead up to his State of the State address, Governor Cuomo announced many of the Capital Plan fixes riders have been asking for—but he still hasn’t said how he plans to fund them. If riders don’t speak up, the Governor could decide to simply pass on the costs of the Capital Plan to the MTA—and that would mean more fare hikes for riders.That’s why we need to be ready to stand together for better public transit.
Join us on Saturday, February 6th at the Riders Alliance office for a special training and strategy workshop that will help prepare riders for lobbying trips to Albany. We’ll learn about the MTA’s Capital Plan budget process and how to advocate for better public transit. Let’s get ready to take on Albany!
Please join us—(Cardboard Cutout) Cuomo will be there!

What: Training & Strategy Workshop: Lobbying for State Budget & MTA Capital Funding
When: Saturday, February 6th, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: 121 6th Avenue, 6th Floor (btwn Broome and Watts)
*Refreshments will be served*
Let’s prepare to tell our elected officials in Albany: riders need a fully funded Capital Plan!
(212) 590 9427 | [email protected]

Read the article here.

It was standing room only with people overflowing into the lobby last night at 101 Clark Street’s Pineapple Walk forum. Hosted by the Board of Directors at Cadman Towers, attendees and speakers included New York City Council Member Stephen Levin as well as representatives from State Senator Velmanette Montgomery’s office and Councilwoman Nydia Valasquez’s office. Peter Bray, the Brooklyn Heights Association Executive Director also addressed the huge audience estimated at 200, as did 140 Cadman Plaza West’s Community Affairs Chair Roberto Gaultier, a well known community activist. The event was chaired by Roberto Benitez, Board Chairman and Toba Potosky, Board President of Cadman Towers.

Press in attendance included the Brooklyn Eagle, The Brooklyn Paper as well as a camera from local cable station News12 who interviewed shareholders at Cadman Towers and Cadman Plaza North (140 Cadman Plaza West.) There were a significant number of people from 75 Henry Street as well including one who spoke in favor of the development, much to the crowd’s dismay. He pointed out that only a small percentage at 75 Henry would be affected by the loss of view and that this “is a lot of money we can use in our capitol fund.” We also learned at this meeting that there is actually a committee in formation of 75 Henry Street shareholders who are opposed to the sale.

Mr. Potosky will compose a letter summarizing the community’s objections directed to Whitman Owners Corp. Objections are primarily based on the overstressed infrastructure in the North Heights with our loss of Long Island College Hospital, an already overcrowded public school, overburdened subway stations at Clark and High Streets and an already impossible parking situation.

Council Member Levin told the anxious audience he was not aware this was happening until recently. Because this is a private deal, he told the crowd that the City has no say in the issue but he will help the community any way he can. Mr. Bray of the Brooklyn Heights Association told those in attendance that this piece of land should remain true to what it was meant to be when City planners built affordable housing here staring in 1967. “This area was not meant for a luxury high rise,” he said.

There was also a speaker from Pineapple Walk merchant Rocco & Jezebel as well as one from the Committee for Libraries, fresh from the debate over what may end up in yet another residential tower on the site of the Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Heights branch. 140 Cadman resident Maxine Friedman pointed out how promises are always made by developers and many times they never happen, such as the affordable housing promised at the Atlantic Yards tract. A representative from Community Board 2 also spoke at the forum.

A key take-away for this writer was the comment that once the land is sold, the developer can do whatever they want. Maybe they’ll decide on a 60-story tower instead of 40. An excellent analogy was made of the development of Pier House, the luxury condo and hotel at Brooklyn Bridge Park. As many now know all too well, it’s bigger and taller than what it was promised to be. Yes, once they own it, they own it. Too bad if you don’t like what they do. Developers say, “don’t worry, the new building will have shops.” This reporter fears those new shops will be Chase Bank, Starbucks and Duane Reade. Just what we need in Brooklyn Heights.

-Keith Klein

Elected Officials, local Community Boards, the Brooklyn Heights Association join tenants from 101 Clark, 140 Cadman and 75 Henry at a standing-room-only meeting. Full report on the meeting posted Thursday. This site will also publish links to news reports such as this coverage from News12 Brooklyn:

See News12 Story here

UPCOMING VOTE BY 75 HENRY STREET SHAREHOLDERS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PINEAPPLE WALK COMMERCIAL SPACE

This is a significant issue for 140 Cadman and for our neighborhood.

1. The CPN Board strongly opposes the possible development of a 40 story high-rise building in the Pineapple Walk commercial space
2. The CPN Board will be sending a contingent to the 101 Clark-hosted meeting on Weds January 6th to demonstrate the CPN Board’s support for telling 75 Henry residents of this opposition.
3. Despite the scheduled CPN Open Board Meeting on that same night, the CPN Board encourages all interested CPN Shareholders to attend the 101 Clark-hosted meeting.
4. The Open Board Meeting scheduled for Weds January 6th will be held for those who do not wish (or are not able) to attend the 101 Clark-hosted meeting.
5. A memo summarizing the January 6^th CPN Open Board Meeting (info and activities) will be distributed under door to all 140 Cadman apartments by the end of the week.
6. The CPN Board is considering holding a “make-up” Open Board Meeting either on Thursday Jan 7^th or during the week of January 11^th (date to be determined).
7. There will be a petition available at the doormen’s station that can be signed by CPN co-operators that will be sent to the 75 Henry Board (and possibly residents) prior to their vote on this issue (January 15^th).

PLEASE REMEMBER: THE TOWNHOUSE AND PARKING AREA BETWEEN US AND 75 HENRY IS NOT UNDER OUR CONTROL AND MAY BE A TARGET FOR SIMILAR DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS. WE URGE YOU TO EXPRESS YOUR OPPOSITION TO THIS POTENTIAL HIGH-RISE DEVELOPMENT.  

CPN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(Look for statement from CPN Board of Directors coming tomorrow)

ATTENTION: ALL BROOKLYN HEIGHTS RESIDENTS IMPORTANT NOTICE – DO NOT SELL PINEAPPLE WALK MEETING – WEDNESDAY JANUARY 6, 2016

On Monday January 15^th, cooperators from Whitman Owners (more commonly referred to as 75 Henry), will be voting to decide whether or not to investigate a proposal to sell the Park Plaza Diner – and other commercial spaces on Pineapple Walk – for the purpose of developing a 40-story high-rise tower and shopping complex. Since the decision whether or not to develop Pineapple Walk is in the hands of our friends and neighbors (and not a faceless, nameless landlord), it is our hope that those who live here will seriously consider the impact a 40-story tower, as well as the eviction of all the present businesses on Pineapple Walk, will have on the surrounding community.  Our neighborhood is already dealing with over-crowded subway platforms during rush hour, a lack of public schools, and the loss of our local hospital. A 40-story tower would add hundreds of new people to our electrical grid, sewer system and garbage collection. Plus, hundreds of new cars to our streets.

As a means of opening up a serious dialogue, we would like everyone interested to join our open forum to discuss the development of Pineapple Walk, and what it will mean to our community:

DON’T SELL PINEAPPLE WALK

Open Forum Hosted by Cadman Towers

101 Clark Street – Community Room

Wednesday January 6^th, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Everyone is welcome – Don’t sell Pineapple Walk

We would like to thank all shareholders who contributed.

150 apartments contributed!

We understand that many shareholders would prefer to give individually and we respect that, but others may not realize how appreciative our staff are when they receive their COLLECTIVE checks.

As committee members and floor captains we have pledged to find new ways to get shareholders more involved.
We welcome any ideas to increase shareholder participation including the recruitment of floor captains.

Thank You and Best Wishes for a Very Happy Holiday Season
The Holiday Fund Committee

For those who have been involved in the struggle to save our library at Cadman Plaza West:

Citizens Defending Libraries is having a Holiday Party SUNDAY December 20, 6PM to 8PM, 101 Clark Street, Apt 27C, Home of Martha Rowan. RSVP [email protected], 718-834-0268.

Bring a song, saying or dish!