September 22, 2018

From RiverKeeper:

Storm Surge Barriers

A threat to the very life of the Hudson & Harbor

“We welcome good, common-sense ideas to prevent massive flooding in our region. A 5-mile ‘sea barrier’ is not one of them.”
– Editorial, The Record (N.J.)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering several options for coastal storm protections in our region, and some of these options would have catastrophic consequences for the Hudson and New York Harbor. Specifically, storm surge barriers – giant ocean gates – would choke off tidal flow and the migration of fish – damaging the life of the Hudson River Estuary forever.

This is a critical time to speak out and prevent a short-sighted decision.

Get informed and take action:

• Send your comment to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by September 20 >
• Ask your local elected officials to take a stand. View a model resolution.
• Learn more: Barrier plans threaten the very life of the Hudson River
• Read our explainer: The process is an outrage
• Download our fact sheet.
• See what your neighbors are saying.

Proposed Barrier Video here. Consensus of those knowledgable about the Hudson River appears to be: Would destroy Hudson wildlife, wouldn’t work, cost billions and have unforeseen consequences on people living along the Hudson estuary. Study? Then: Weigh in today?

From The Villager

By Sydney Pereira

“The Corps was asked the wrong question, they were asked about storm risk and not sea-level rise risk.”

“A public meeting with hardly any public notice. Five proposals with no details on environmental impact or economic feasibility. And a planning process that’s raising doubts on whether the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can choose the best storm-surge protection plan to shield more than 2,150 miles of New York and New Jersey shoreline.

Nearly six years after Hurricane Sandy swamped Lower Manhattan with 7 feet of water and killed two people in the community, this is where the Corps’ New York / New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries study stands after starting in 2016.”

Thank you: The Illuminator and FABnyc‘s: Emilio, Dakota, Ryan, Mike and their band of hard-working staff and volunteers!!

Historical Photos from the NYC Park Archives, Keena Suh, Photos Lee Elson and Unknown Photographer from Sara Roosevelt Park Community Coalition.

The Illuminator and the Neighborhood collaborate: “What Could be here?”

The festivities are intended to draw attention, once again, to the need to re-open the Stanton park building, currently boarded up and used for storage, to community use.  The park is seeing an escalation of troubling uses including drug use and trafficking, the children’s playground is avoided by local families, and the closed building sits at the center of this activity.  Re-opening the building for programming could have a significant and immediate impact in making the park safe; it can anchor NYC’s efforts to bring climate resiliency to parks and re-establish a welcoming park for all.

Return Stanton ParkHouse to the Neighborhood as FDR Intended It To Be Used!

Fierce and honest talk from our community leaders and representatives Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Council Member Chin’s Gigi Li and Pat Olan, NY State Senator Brian Kavanagh, CB3 Chair (and neighbor) Alysha Coleman, Rafael Hernandez Houses Resident Association Leader Felicia Gordon,  Democratic State Committee Chris Marte, and our MC SDR Coalition’s VP Deborah Jeffreys-Glass.

Thank you to FABnyc for the love and care and work that went into spearheading the creation of a beautiful, safe, welcoming umbrella for the neighborhood and visitors to live in for a day. A chance to imagine what it would be like if we had this space available to the neighborhood – everyday.

Stanton Building Task Force: FABnyc  and staff (and the organizing team leadership of Emilio Martinez Poppe and Dakota Scott) ensuring the arts & fun, GreenMap keeping us honest about climate change and sustainable practice, University Settlement bringing the depth of advocacy for over a century (and dancing & drumming!) and SDR Coalition park advocacy since 1982.

Beautiful artwork, spirited/tireless dancing, vital information on keeping our community safe, 5th Precinct’s Bozzo/Urena, The Stanton Street Block Association, Crime Victims advocate Panarella, Alexis Mercer with Narcon Training from the Educational Alliance,  Stanton Street CSA share info, block association info, puppet show, generous donations from our neighborhood businesses, Bob Humber’s M’Finda Kalunga Garden chess matches, Pam Ito from The Hort and Emma Lazarus High School‘s seed planting,Neighbors to Save Rivington House, The Illuminator, re-Tree planting, volunteers who worked hard, and thank you to the Sara Roosevelt Park’s NYC Park’s Department‘s Stanton Building Park’s staff and PEP led by our Parks Manager: Elizabeth Martinez.

As Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer (and everyone echoed): “The LES knows how to fight, knows how to stick together to build community”.

Most of all, thanks to neighbors who understand we can decide that no one gets left out – and then do the work to make sure of it.

We will have this park safe and beautiful and fun to be young in and to grow old in – and enjoy all the years in between.

More of our Children:

VOTE

To find out who is on your ballot, where to vote use this link.

From BoweryBoogie:

“Another Davey Drill was spotted on Forsyth Street last week (above Delancey), but as before, it’s not related to the controversial Rivington House condo conversion. But rather, an infrastructure project by the MTA.

“…Installing this machinery was deemed “a critical life safety project” since the operating M line equipment was built in 1962 and is “too small and one-directional to be useful anymore.”

“Now, they finally are. The city will officially discuss its plans next week with the Transportation subcommittee of Community Board 3 (September 17).”

1.    Approval of previous month’s minutes
Joint meeting with Land Use Committee (6:30-7:30)
2.    CB 3 comments on Draft Scope of Work for proposed Manhattan Detention Center
Transportation Committee (7:30)
3.    NY City Transit: presentation on work to construct emergency ventilation plant on Forysth btwn Delancey / Rivington St
4.    Bike Corral for 218 E 10th St (Rai Rai Ken)
5.    Vote to adjourn

At Stanton Street between Forsyth and Chrystie

Stanton Street between Forsyth and Chrystie   “It’s Our Park Day” in Sara D. Roosevelt Park at Stanton Street brings together residents and community organizations for an afternoon of creative activities and presentations and an evening hour of interactive projections by The Illuminator.   The festivities are intended to draw attention, once again, to the need to re-open the Stanton park building, currently boarded up and used for storage, to community use.  The park is seeing an escalation of troubling uses including drug use and trafficking, the children’s playground is avoided by local families, and the closed building sits at the center of this activity.  Re-opening the building for programming could have a significant impact in making the park safe and welcoming to all.   There will be creative arts activities good for all ages, dance classes and performances, a bike repair workshop, and information from multiple community groups.  Partners organizing the event include the Sara D. Roosevelt Park Coalition, Fourth Arts Block (FABnyc), University Settlement, and Green Map System. Additional participating organizations include Narcan,  Stanton Street Block Association, Stanton Street CSA, M’Finda Kalunga Community Garden, Neighbors to Save Rivington House, Loisaida Inc. and more! Afternoon session — 2pm-5pm The afternoon will include speeches from organizers and local representatives along with live music, dancing lessons, art-making activities, free bike repair services, and opportunities to get involved in the campaign. Evening session — 8:30pm-9:30pm The evening will feature projections by the Illuminator of artwork made during the afternoon sessions along with historical images from the site and neighborhood visions for its futures.   It’s Our Park Day Saturday, September 15th, 2018 2pm-5pm (Guest speakers at 2:30pm) Evening projections 8:30pm-9:30pm Sara D. Roosevelt Park Stanton Street between Forsyth and Chrystie

The Kenmare Little Italy Loop Coalition is concerned that buses coming over the Williamsburg Bridge will flood narrow streets.

The group is calling on the city and the MTA to rethink their plan.

Coverage here:

NY1 News