John,

Before we kick things off, we have a big week at City Hall next week! On Tuesday, 6/20, we’re holding a hearing at 1 PM on Intro 617 to expand the City’s Earned Sick Time Act to cover 140,000 gig workers and independent contractors. Then on Wednesday, 6/21, we’re hearing Intro 942 at 10 AM to set minimum standards for our City’s new emergency shelters used to house asylum seekers. It’ll be a packed week with plenty of press coverage, so keep your eyes peeled! You can also follow along with the Council’s live stream link here.

The Gowanus Oversight Task Force is holding its next meeting on Wednesday, 6/21, from 6-8:30 PM at the new Powerhouse Arts venue in Gowanus! Get updates on the latest developments in Gowanus and help us hold the City accountable on their promises as part of the rezoning process. RSVP here.

BQE Zone 5

On Thursday, 6/15, my team was present with community members and other elected offices as the Department of Transportation (DOT) presented their design plans for Zone 5 of BQE Central. The City DOT has identified five sections of BQE Central, which incorporates all of the City-owned sections of the highway as well as some small sections owned by the state. All five sections will undergo a redesign as the City works to repair the crumbling Triple Cantilever. In response to the Zone 5 proposals, I agree with the many comments shared by my constituents that this is our opportunity to prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and local residents as well as focus on reducing car congestion.

While the other four sections have rightfully had multiple rounds of feedback on the proposed redesign, Zone 5 is currently only slated for one. Together with Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, I wrote to DOT demanding more feedback sessions. Zone 5 is unique in its current configuration and because it encompasses both City and state-owned sections of the BQE, which is exactly why it deserves more rounds of feedback. One in-person session is simply not enough to allow sufficient feedback on the BQE’s proposed design. The BQE redesign is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine transit, and it can’t be done through a top-down approach. I will keep the community updated with DOT’s response!

DEC Engagement in Gowanus

In response to feedback on the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) last Gowanus Brownfield town hall, DEC is finally offering email updates on their various remediation efforts. After months of conversations, I’m pleased to see DEC listen to community feedback and make this important information much more accessible. You can sign up for those email updates here. Additionally, state DEC has also just published plans for continued remediation work on various properties on President Street that you can view here. If you have comments or questions on these plans, you can direct them to [email protected]. The feedback session runs through 7/24!

While I appreciate that DEC is improving its feedback and updates process, I’m still not satisfied. Given the seriousness of this remediation work, feedback forms and information needs to be far more accessible than the documents and emails they have provided. I’m grateful for the progress and will continue to work with DEC to ensure the Gowanus community is receiving easy-to-understand and clearly presented information about the environmental work in our community.

Community Bulletin

The Brooklyn Public Library is kick-starting a ten-week intergenerational debate class for young people (14-19!) and older adults (+55)! Participants will learn to craft persuasive, impactful arguments and hone their research and public speaking skills. Learn more and sign up on the BPL website. Classes start on Tuesday, 6/20!
Emails about Summer Rising placements should have gone out this past Friday! 94,000 children have been place in a spot for this summer, but if you didn't get the chance to apply for the first round of placements you can do so starting on 6/23 at this link. Have questions? Reach out to our office and we can point you in the right direction.
Live near Hoyt Street? Looking for a free outdoor yoga class? Stop by the Atlantic Avenue BID’s free outdoor yoga class on 6/24 from 12-1 PM, hosted by Vera Yoga.
Participatory Budgeting is now citywide! Check out the citywide Participatory Budgeting projects and vote on your favorite before 6/25 to help the City decide how to spend $5 million on community projects.
Our office is hosting a presentation and Q&A with the Department of Social Services on updates to the NYC Medicare & Medicaid program on 6/24 at 2:30 - 3:30 PM at PS 230 Lower School (425 McDonald Avenue). This presentation will be in English, Spanish, and Bangla. Please email [email protected] with your name and language needs to confirm your attendance.
NYC DOT is conducting community outreach to understand how the Beverley Road Open Street is used and how the community wants to see this new public space evolve in the future! Take this short survey to share your feedback and ideas for the Beverley Road Open Street – the survey will remain open until 6/30.
Meet Council Member Hanif, fellow community members, Greenway users, and Brooklynites at Brooklyn Greenway Initiative’s City of Water Day Stewardship Event at the Van Voorhees Playground on Saturday, 7/15, at 10 AM. Help clean the greenspace on adjacent berms, weed, aerate, and remove litter from young street tree beds!
Like me, I’m sure you love the Open Streets on 5th Avenue - but did you know that running an Open Street is expensive? The 5th Avenue BID is looking for help to fund and maintain their incredible work of keeping our streets open to the public and available for local businesses to use. Remember - Open Streets on 5th Avenue run through 10/28!
Our friends at the ACC of New York have dozens of furry friends looking for a new home! This summer, adoption fees for large dogs and adult cats are cut to just $5 to help these animals find a new home! See who’s up for adoption here. Not looking for a new pet right now? Their Brooklyn Care Center needs food and pet supplies now as their shelters are at capacity. Check out their wishlist and help them care for their animals!

In Solidarity,

Shahana