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What’s Inside
Dear Neighbors & Friends, As we anticipate challenges due to the incoming federal administration and its potential impacts on New York’s environmental, health, and transportation budgets, I will be in the trenches fighting for the people of this district. In many ways, New York is in a stronger position than it was 8 years ago. The State legislature has enacted massive reforms to our voter and election laws, passed the strongest environmental law of any state in the country that also included new green jobs, overhauled our gun violence prevention laws, enacted a state paid family leave program, permanently protected our rent-stabilized housing units, enshrined Roe v. Wade protections into our state law, passed a first-in-the-nation pre-natal leave policy, enacted significant street safety measures, and expanded child care. However, we still have a great deal to do to continue the post-Covid economic recovery for everyday New Yorkers and make New York more affordable for working families. The type of impacts or support that we will receive from the federal government is unknown; we will have to be ready, thoughtful, and creative. This is one of the reasons that I’ve been laser-focused on ensuring equal rights and protections for New Yorkers. I am relieved that New Yorkers passed ballot Proposition 1, our Equal Rights Amendment. This amendment to our State Constitution will protect abortion and reproductive freedom. The amendment also ensures that our statutory protections prohibiting governmental discrimination based on gender, age, ethnicity, pregnancy status, disability status, or whether someone is LGBTQ are not vulnerable to constitutional challenge. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with questions on any local or policy issue. You can also stop by my office in Carroll Gardens and speak with my staff about unemployment, SNAP, HEAP, housing, healthcare, transit and more. It is truly my privilege to serve you. Sincerely,
Jo Anne Simon Java with Jo Anne, Friday Dec. 6, 10-11:30AM. Join us in Gowanus for Java with Jo Anne at Principles GI Coffee from 10-11:30am. We've had a challenging election. Let's come together as a community & discuss what's next. Our community is stronger when we stand together. RSVP here.
Brooklyn Marine Terminal Update. The NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) took control of the Brooklyn Marine Terminal from the Port Authority of NY/NJ to modernize the maritime facility and create a mixed-use community asset. The terminal was deteriorating, stagnant, and financially unstable, so I am hopeful that this transfer of control will be positive. However, there is still much that we do not know about the future of this site as EDC is in the planning phase; they are currently engaging in a rapid community engagement process (too fast, in my opinion!). I strongly urge you to participate in this process; the next public workshop will be held virtually on Dec. 5th from 6-8 pm. On Monday, Dec. 16th, please join a workshop at Sacred Hearts and St. Stephen Catholic Church, 125 Summit St, 6-8 pm. To learn more, visit EDC’s website and email [email protected] with concerns or questions. Holiday Toy Drive. My office is collecting new and unwrapped toys for children of all ages. Please drop them off at my district office, 341 Smith St in Carroll Gardens, Monday-Friday between 9:30am-5pm. Take Action on My Hospital Closure Bill. My LICH bill to ensure there is better state oversight and community input before a hospital is closed is currently on the Governor’s desk (S8843/A1633, Rivera/Simon). She has to sign or veto it within the next 8 days. As you know, I have been working to pass this bill for years and this was the first year that the bill also passed the Senate. There is a robust coalition of patient advocates, unions, and doctors who have been fighting for this bill alongside me because they know that healthcare is a public good, and not just a profit venture. Since the closure of LICH in Cobble Hill a decade ago, more than 40 hospitals have closed across New York and 10 hospitals have closed maternity services. We are seeing history repeat itself now with attempted or possible closures at SUNY Downstate and Beth Israel. There should be community conversation and planning before a hospital or major unit like maternity or emergency department closes, not after, which is the current law. While the LICH bill won’t stop hospital closures outright, it will create community engagement requirements to ensure that New Yorkers have a voice and role in discussions about and plans for hospital closures. Flyer with more details. Here are action items from Healthcare for All NY on what YOU can do:
Saving local Affordable Housing. I’m proud to stand with the residents of 63 Tiffany Place as we fight to protect their homes in the Columbia Waterfront community. The tenants have been negotiating in good faith with their landlord for months while he attempts to sell the building and make an astronomical profit. When the landlord abruptly cut off communication with tenants, my office, in partnership with my elected official partners, publicly called on him to resume negotiations. If a new for-profit buyer takes over, tenants risk losing their homes. The people who have built and sustained these neighborhoods deserve to remain here. We also called for the passage of the state Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (A3353 TOPA) and the city COPA housing bills to protect tenants like those in 63 Tiffany. These city and state bills would give tenants and non-profits the right to make the first offer to purchase a building if the landlord decides to sell.
Congestion Pricing Moves Forward. As a long-time advocate for congestion pricing, I am relieved that it will be reinstated. The new plan includes a 40% reduction to previously agreed-upon fees and tolls. For example., the fee for personal vehicles to travel into the central business district during the day is expected to be $9 starting on midnight January 5th, 2025 (rates during the evening are lower, as are fees for people with lower incomes). Congestion pricing will ensure a dedicated funding stream for mass transit, incentivize traffic reduction, improve air quality, and help build a more accessible subway and bus system for those with disabilities. If you have a car, please ensure your E-ZPass matches your license plate. If you would like to understand the toll structure and credits better, or to view exemptions for people with disabilities or other details, please visit the MTA’s FAQ page.
Columbia Waterfront Concrete Recycling Plant Updates. Several months ago, NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) sited a concrete recycling plant in the community, which has caused hardship to the residents in the area from the resulting dust, vibrations, noise, and an influx of truck traffic. My colleagues, Council Member Hanif, Senator Gounardes, CB 6 and I sent a letter to DOT to take action to reduce the impacts and improve transparency and communication with the community; their response is included here. Unfortunately, the community did not see improvements from DOT’s dust mitigation efforts, and their quality of life has continued to suffer. This prompted community advocates and elected officials to host a rally calling for the plant to be shut down and moved to an industrial zone, away from any residential neighborhood. I want to thank my colleagues and the many residents who came out (in the rain!) to stand together and demand that the site be shut down. We sent another letter, along with Congressman Dan Goldman, to Mayor Eric Adams urging him to shut the plant down by the end of the year. DOT has since announced that they would take “new measures to decrease the size of the recycled material piles in this plant and further reduce dust and noise.” I appreciate their efforts to mitigate the situation, but I do not believe that this will address the problem; the site should be shut down and moved. If you live near the recycling plant, please continue documenting your complaints and sending them to my office so we can pass them along to DOT. Carroll Street Bridge Update. Neighbors often ask me about the status of the Carroll Street Bridge, which has been closed for several years now. When the EPA and the city began dredging and pile driving to clean up the Gowanus Canal, they determined that the bridge was in worse shape than they thought. The clean-up work was further de-stabilizing the 135 year-old bridge. Fortunately, the design of the bridge repair has finally advanced to the next stage and is under EPA review. Once EPA grants approval, City DOT can move forward with construction which is roughly estimated to start in winter 2024/2025 and to be completed in winter 2025/2026. So, it’s going to be a while longer but there is forward momentum. For bridge status updates, email [email protected] or call the Gowanus Remediation Team hotline at 718-569-5762. BQE Closures & bridge work: If you are interested in receiving regular updates on BQE and Bridge work, please reach out to DOT Community Liaison Anita Navalurkar at (347) 647-0876 or to [email protected] to be placed on the mailing list. Making Atlantic Avenue Safer. The community has long advocated for traffic calming and street safety measures to make Atlantic Avenue safer. I joined Council Member Lincoln Restler, our colleagues, and neighbors to call for improvements to this notoriously dangerous stretch of roadway, which has been the site of several tragic preventable deaths, including 31-year old resident Katie Harris. I am pleased to report that City DOT has added several mid-block crossings, concrete pedestrian islands, improved traffic light timings, and additional safety calming efforts like painted curb extensions and rubber speed bumps. We will continue to advocate for this avenue to be as safe as possible. Constituent Spotlight. Cheryl and Mark Gelbs have been pillars of the community, demonstrating extraordinary leadership and dedication to public service. Cheryl, as Treasurer of the Precinct Community Council, brought professionalism and efficiency to its operations, ensuring financial accountability. Mark, as President of the 84th Precinct Community Council, has long fostered collaboration between neighbors and law enforcement. He has organized events and worked tirelessly to enhance public safety. Their collective efforts have improved the quality of life for their neighbors and strengthened the community. I am proud to recognize their unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions to the success of the 52nd Assembly District. Thank you, Cheryl & Mark!
NY’s Literacy Plan. We are finally making progress in our goal to improve literacy rates. Our schools have been doing an inadequate job of teaching our kids to read because the prevailing approach for decades has been ‘balanced literacy,’ which isn’t effective for two-thirds of our students. The Literacy Academy Collective and the NY State Education Department released the NYS Action Plan: The Path Forward, to improve literacy instruction. As a Steering Committee member of The Path Forward, I am proud of the coordinated effort between key institutions and education leaders from across the state. This new, historic Action Plan outlines how we will train future teachers in evidence-based methods aligned with how the brain processes written language. Our colleges of education haven’t been teaching our future teachers how to teach reading in a way that works for the vast majority of students. By targeting key areas of literacy instruction, the Action Plan is designed to align New York’s education preparation programs with evidence-based best practices for teaching literacy. New York will no longer send its education graduates off to teach reading with an empty toolbox. Now, it will be packed with what works. You can learn more here. Fire Safety Tips. Our neighbors have recently experienced three devastating house fires, including one on Thanksgiving that originated from an electrical fire that started in a manhole next to the building. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, but these incidents remind us of the importance of fire safety. Make sure you maintain smoke & carbon monoxide detectors, avoid overloading electrical outlets, and have an escape plan. Please consider these precautions and other fire safety tips from the FDNY that can help protect your home and loved ones from fire. I also want to remind you that the Red Cross is a resource if you ever need short-term emergency assistance from a disaster. The Red Cross assistance can include temporary housing in a local hotel for a few days if the residence is destroyed/uninhabitable, as well as stipends/financial assistance to help the resident with immediate needs, disaster mental health counseling, and health services to assist in replacing medical equipment. Contact the Red Cross at 877-RED-CROSS. Glock Bill Signed & White House Announcement: I am thrilled that the Governor signed 6 bills to combat gun violence. This included my first-in-the-nation bill holding Glock and other Glock-like firearm manufacturers accountable for failing to take action to ensure that their handguns can’t be easily converted into illegal fully-automatic machine guns. For decades, Glock has known that its pistols can be easily and cheaply converted. No other major firearm manufacturer uses this design, which is too easily convertible to machine guns. It’s time to put people over profit and hold Glock accountable. The White House recently announced comprehensive gun control measures reflecting the urgent need for common-sense solutions to keep our schools and communities safe. This includes legislation that mirrors my Glock bill by removing illegal gun conversion devices from our streets with an emphasis on 3D-printed devices. It's time to shift the onus off of our communities to keep themselves safe and focus on gun violence prevention policies grounded in evidence. I remain dedicated to advancing these crucial reforms to make our communities safer.
Civic Engagement Opportunities. There is no better time than now to get involved in your community. This district is chock full of ways to plug into local issues, meet your neighbors, and join volunteer opportunities. Support Your Neighbors:
Community Education Councils (CECs). CECs are volunteer parents and community leaders dedicated to supporting local district schools covering Pre-K through 8th grade. CEC monthly meetings are open to the public and provide an opportunity to connect with other parents and to have a say in your child’s educational experience.
Community Boards (CBs). CBs are the most local form of city government. CBs are made of volunteers from the community who are appointed to advisory boards, which are managed by City employees. In Assembly District 52, we cover Community Boards 2, 6, and a small section of 8. CB members are appointed by the Borough President and City Council Members, but the full board meetings and committee meetings are open to the public. In fact, non-members can serve on committees. Committees address concerns ranging from land use and zoning, parks and health, liquor license approvals, transportation, and more.
Neighborhood and Block Associations. Neighborhood and block associations include residents who come together to organize around hyper local issues. For example, our many neighborhood associations in AD 52 organize local clean-ups, street tree care, community celebrations, and educational events. They also conduct community advocacy on a variety of issues like transit and street safety, sustainability, access to parks, and quality of life issues. Let my office know if you need help getting in touch with local groups, like the Boerum Hill Association, Brooklyn Heights Association, Cobble Hill Association, Dumbo Action Committee, DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance, Park Slope Civic Council, Vinegar Hill Neighborhood Association, or the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council. Garbage Bins Must Have Lids: The NYC Department of Sanitation mandates that all 1-9 unit properties use secure garbage bins with lids by November 12, 2024. If you already use a bin with a secure lid that is 55 gallons or less for trash, you may continue to use it until JUNE 2026. After that, you will need to switch to the official NYC Bin, found here. According to DSNY, the bins are inexpensive, robust, and designed to keep rodents out. Learn more here. Please note that this rule doesn’t cover recycling bins; people can continue to use the bags or the bins you have been using. Building Owners Must Conduct Annual Parapet Inspection by 12/31. Beginning January 1st of this year, the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) requires building owners to have conducted a parapet observation by a person competent to inspect parapets, including, but not limited to a bricklayer, building superintendent, handyman, mason, architect, engineer, an inspector working for a NYS-authorized insurance company, or a NYS-authorized building inspector. This requirement applies to all buildings with parapets fronting the public right-of-way, regardless of height, except detached 1 or 2 family homes or buildings with a fence or other barrier preventing access to the exterior wall. You do not have to submit the report to the DOB. An observation report must be supplied to the owner. Owners must maintain the observation reports for at least 6 years and must make the reports available to the DOB upon request. If there is an UNSAFE condition, the person performing the observation must notify DOB. Learn more here or email your questions to [email protected]. Gowanus Canal Superfund Site Public Meeting, 12/10. The EPA will be hosting a community update meeting on Dec. 10, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. over Zoom. You can register for the meeting here. You can learn about the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) retention tank project (located at 270 Nevins St). Two CSO tanks are being built as part of the Gowanus Canal Superfund Cleanup. These tanks will expand the sewage capacity within our community, which will help mitigate flooding. For more information about the cleanup, please visit the EPA’s website or contact Natalie Loney, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, at (212) 637-3639 or [email protected]. Carroll Gardens Library Construction Update. The Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) reports that the construction is going as planned. The city’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC) has completed asbestos abatement and will begin working on installing HVAC equipment on the roof. When that phase of work ends in the winter, the BPL will move onto the next phase of work. The BPL expects the library to reopen by the second half of 2025. In the meantime, the bookmobile will still serve the neighborhood along with the nearby Brooklyn Heights Library. Adams Street Library Construction Update. Adams Street Library will temporarily close at the end of the day on December 18 for essential repairs. They anticipate reopening in April 2025. Select neighborhood library services will be available nearby at the Adams Street Annex (1 John Street) starting January 2. The Annex will be open weekdays from 10 am to 5 pm. Community Events & News:
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