Park Slope

Statement on Board of Standard and Appeals Vote to Approve the New York Methodist Hospital Expansion

Posted on June 18, 2014

Earlier this week the Board of Standards and Appeals voted to approve New York Methodist Hospital’s plan to create a new outpatient care center. While I know some neighbors of the hospital remain strongly opposed to the expansion, I support the BSA’s decision. I have been persuaded that NYMH needs to expand outpatient services on its Park Slope campus to remain a strong community hospital. Read more »

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Compost collection is coming to Park Slope

Posted on May 8, 2014

Big news: this month, the NYC Department of Sanitation will expand the curbside compost collection pilot program to large parts of Park Slope and Gowanus (south of Union Street from the Gowanus Canal to Prospect Park West—click here to see a map). 

Compost collection has been so popular and effective for our neighbors in Windsor Terrace (as well as on Staten Island and in the Bronx) that it is now expanding to several new neighborhoods, including Park Slope and Gowanus. Participation is totally voluntary—and easy. Composting will divert our City’s waste from landfills and save millions of dollars in taxpayer money, so I hope you will consider taking part. Read more »

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Next steps in the fight for seniors at Prospect Park Residence: a lawsuit, and letters to the governor

Posted on May 2, 2014

We’re standing up for our elderly neighbors today – and I hope you’ll join us in speaking up for them again. Read more »

Press Release from the Legal Aid Society announces lawsuit on behalf of Prospect Park Residence seniors

Posted on May 2, 2014

Lawsuit Filed to Prevent Closing of  Brooklyn Assisted-Living Home Leaving 120 Seniors At Risk of Homelessness

New York-(May 2, 2014) A lawsuit will be filed today in State Supreme Court in Kings County to prevent the closing of the Prospect Park Residence, an assisted-living facility in Brooklyn which is home to 120 Seniors. Lawyers from The Legal Aid Society, MFY Legal Services, Inc.; and the law firm of Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto are representing the residents.  Plaintiffs are seeking a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order. Read more »

This Tuesday: Help break down a divide (and watch some great student videos at John Jay HS Campus)

Posted on April 26, 2014

Although it’s located right in the middle of Park Slope, there has too long been a divide between the public schools in the John Jay Educational Campus and the surrounding community.

Next Tuesday, we’ve got a chance to help break down that divide. Read more »

Elected Officials Call for a Halt to Senior Home Eviction

Posted on March 6, 2014

BROOKLYN, NY – Councilmember Brad Lander, Assemblymember Joan Millman, and Assemblymember James Brennan released the following statement today in response to a plan to close the Prospect Park Residence, an assisted living facility in Park Slope with over 100 elderly residents:

“To throw our elderly neighbors out on the street is cruel, heartless, and unacceptable. The owner, Haysha Deitsch, must withdraw his plan and allow these seniors to stay in their homes.

“There is already a shortage of senior housing in our city—where does he expect them to go? Read more »

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Locals and Officials to Brainstorm Improvements for Gritty Fourth Avenue

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01/14/2014

Fourth Avenue is an "unwelcoming" thoroughfare with a lifeless streetscape, and new luxury highrises aren't doing much to improve it.

Those are a few of the gripes local residents shared in a recent survey about Fourth Avenue, the gritty, industrial stretch on the western edge of tree-lined Park Slope where several residential towers have sprung up in recent years.

The Park Slope Civic Council will present the survey results at a Tuesday meeting where locals and elected officials will brainstorm an action plan for improving Fourth Avenue.

City Council members Brad Lander and Stephen Levin are scheduled to present their visions for the avenue's future, and residents, business owners and community groups will share their top priorities for the busy street. Read more »

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Composting coming to Park Slope

Posted on January 12, 2014

Last year, the Department of Sanitation began a composting pilot in a few neighborhoods around the city. The curbside composting program was so popular and effective in Windsor Terrace and other pilot neighborhoods that it is now coming to Park Slope and Gowanus.  To see if your home is part of the expanded pilot, check the map on the Department of Sanitation website.

Starting this spring, Sanitation will collect all food scraps (including fruits and vegetables, meat, bones, grains, and prepared foods), food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings from a new curbside bin each week on recycling day. Your organic waste will be composted and become fertilizer for gardens, parks, and street trees. Organic waste accounts for a third of all garbage created in New York City, so composting will really help reduce how much we send to the landfill.  Read more »

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What to know before it snows

Posted on January 2, 2014

If weather predictions are correct, we are in for a lot of snow this evening and tomorrow. I wanted to share what I know about city services to help you prepare.

My staff has been in communication with the Sanitation garages in our district. They have begun salting our streets and are preparing to plow once the snow starts. When many of us will be at home and warm, Sanitation and many other City workers will be on the streets keeping us safe. Thank you to each of them. Read more »

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What We're Thankful For

Posted on November 22, 2013

It’s easy to be cynical about Thanksgiving – to get lost in excesses of turkey and pumpkin pie and “black Friday” consumerism.  The holiday’s history is complicated (as my daughter, who is studying Westward Expansion, keeps reminding me), rooted in a moment when our young country was disenfranchising Native Americans who were already here. Read more »

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