& some updates on the Concrete Recycling Facility in the District

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Dear District 39 Constituent,
* I want to take a moment and address the student protests in Bangladesh that are demanding reforms to the unjust quota system. I condemn the government and police’s violent response to the peaceful demonstrations throughout the country which has resulted in the killing of 90 protestors and over 5,000 injured. I mourn their lives and stand in solidarity with the students who are fighting for a fairer and more just civil system and society.
* As a reminder, our new office is located on the Ground Floor of 197 Bond Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217. To make an appointment, contact our Constituent Services Director Bryan Gross at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Appointments are available from Monday-Thursday 10 AM to 4 PM.
* Our Office is sponsoring Camp Friendship’s School Supply Drive! We are soliciting donations from now through August 23rd. See details on desired supplies and drop-off locations here ([link removed]) .
* Our office is proud to support the Gowanus Mutual Aid Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program ([link removed]) , a food access program distributing over 300 bags of regional fruits and veggies every other week to local public housing residents. If you have extra Fresh Direct bags you would like to donate please bring them to our District Office at 197 Bond Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217 between 10 AM and 4 PM from Monday - Thursday. If you would like to get involved with the distributions, your help is welcome and you can sign up here ([link removed]) .

Protecting Retiree Healthcare

Our municipal retirees helped build the New York City that we call home. They are first responders, educators, direct service providers, and so much more. These approximately 250,000 workers performed important jobs that often paid less than equivalent positions in the private sector, with the understanding that upon retiring, they would get top-notch healthcare consisting of a combination of traditional Medicare and city-funded Senior Care, a supplemental rider that ensures enrollees do not have to pay premiums. Unfortunately, since coming into office, Mayor Adams has continued ([link removed]) the previous Administration’s plan to cut costs by forcing retirees to move from their current health coverage onto privately operated “Medicare Advantage” plans.

I fully oppose the Mayor’s efforts and support retirees in their fight to maintain their current plans. Living with Lupus for more than 15 years has taught me that healthcare is a human right. I support the Medicare for All Act ([link removed]) on the federal level and the New York Health Act ([link removed]) on the state level because I believe our communities deserve universal high-quality public healthcare. We should be expanding publicly-run Medicare, not undermining it.

The privatization model of Medicare Advantage has been demonstrated time and time again to increase costs and reduce the quality of care. This recent New York Times report ([link removed]) shows that nearly all of the top Medicare Advantage providers across the country have been credibly accused of fraud by the federal government and/or have been caught systematically overbilling patients. These plans also often have smaller networks of providers than traditional Medicare, which makes retirees fear that they will have to change doctors, pay costly out-of-network fees, or be burdened with more co-pays and pre-authorization requirements.

Thankfully, groups like theNYC Organization of Public Service Retirees ([link removed]) , the Cross Union Retirees Organizing Committee ([link removed]) , and PSC-CUNY ([link removed]) have led an inspiring campaign against the Mayor’s attempt to force Medicare Advantage upon retirees. They sued the City about the legality of their plan and won ([link removed]) last August. This May, the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court upheld ([link removed]) this ruling. As a result, the Mayor has thus far been prohibited from putting his plan into action. However, he is still fighting
([link removed]) for the Courts to allow his plan to proceed. Earlier this month, the UFT, which previously supported the Mayor’s proposal, announced ([link removed]) they are now opposing it—demonstrating the growing unpopularity of the forced switch to Medicare Advantage.

Since coming into Office, I have consistently pushed back against the Mayor’s irresponsible and dangerous actions. From speaking at rallies ([link removed]) in support of retirees to leading a joint letter ([link removed]) from Council Members calling on the Mayor to sustain premium-free Senior Care, to opposing ([link removed]) proposed Council legislation that would facilitate the Mayor’s plan, to sponsoring ([link removed]) legislation that would block the Mayor’s plan, I have been eager to use my position to assist in this fight. Last Sunday, I was privileged to join ([link removed]) the Cross Union Retirees Organizing Committee at an action
at Grand Army Plaza centered on protecting traditional Medicare. In the coming months, I will continue to prioritize this critical issue.

Council Member Hanif with members of the Cross Union Retirees Organizing Committee on July 13th.

Photo by Joe Maniscalco.

DOT’s Concrete Recycling Facility on the Columbia Waterfront

I recently toured the Concrete Recycling Facility operated by the NYC DOT on the Columbia Waterfront. Since the facility opened in late February, my office has received concerns from constituents about dust, air quality, truck traffic, and street safety in the area. Since then, my staff have raised these concerns with the DOT, and last week, I had an opportunity to tour the site myself to get clarity about the agency’s measures to address these issues.

The facility was originally located in Sunset Park and has been temporarily relocated to Columbia Street between Kane Street and DeGraw Street to make room for an off-shore wind hub that will open up in 2026. This temporary site will be active for two years as DOT sets up its permanent yard. The site has an extensive dust-mitigation plan in place with several water pumps in concrete crushers and water spraying several times each hour on roadways. The facility uses all-electric, state-of-the-art machines with noise and dust-dampening controls to break down concrete collected from the capital infrastructure repairs and projects the agency conducts. The concrete is recycled and processed at different facilities for other city-operated projects across the five boroughs.

I was relieved to learn that DOT will be installing a traffic barrier arm at the entrance of the yard to improve safety at the intersection which has about 30 trucks coming in and out daily. DOT will also work with Community Board 6 in the coming months to assess the roadway conditions that need to be repaved on Columbia Street as a result of the increased truck traffic, and I expressed strong support for these improvements.

My team and I will continue to liaise with the DOT to improve the neighborhood’s quality of life and urge the agency to provide notices. I encourage our constituents to stay engaged and continue to share questions and concerns as these upgrades are made.

Council Member Hanif at the Columbia Street Concrete Recycling Facility.

Community Bulletin
* Join Lofty Pigeon Books on Tuesday, 7/23 ([link removed]) for a reading, conversation, reception, and book signing and celebration of the launch of a coming-of-age young adult novel about a Bengali princess, written by S. A. Hoque, Brooklyn-based author and publisher.
* On Wednesday, July 24 at 7:30 PM, the Southwest Brooklyn Tenant Union is holding a new member orientation via Zoom. Register here ([link removed]) .
* On Tuesday, August 6th at 10 AM, the Carroll Gardens Library is hosting a natural dying and flower-pounding workshop for kids (6-12) at the Wyckoff Bond Community Garden: 195 Wyckoff Street, Brooklyn, NY. Register here ([link removed]) .
* It’s Prospect Park Yoga ([link removed]) season! Join hundreds of Brooklynites for free, outdoor yoga series on the Long Meadow every Thursday from 7- 8 PM.
* Businesses with outdoor dining setups must apply to the new outdoor dining program by 8/3 or remove their setup. Apply now at [link removed].

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Our mailing address is:
New York City Council Member Shahana Hanif
197 Bond Street,
Brooklyn, NY 11217
USA
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