Community Corner
🌱 'Concerning' BQE Plans + Bad Energy + Fire Blazes On
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Brooklyn.
Hello, Brooklyn. I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town, including news about...
- The borough president was by no means impressed by proposed plans to fix the BQE
- An energy company owe millions to customers they ripped off
- Red Hook warehouse fire will take days to extinguish — the fight continues
But first, today's weather:
🌧 Afternoon rain; breezy. High: 44 Low: 42.
🏡 Attention, real estate agents in Brooklyn! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.
Here are the top stories today in Brooklyn:
1. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso is "extremely concerned" about the BQE fix plans proposed on Tuesday. Both Reynoso and former borough president Mayor Eric Adams believe that this is a crucial moment, a time to "think big" about a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the BQE into an environmental and aesthetic "dream come true." On Tuesday, the Department of Transportation proposed three design options, the names of which were reminiscent of high-end developments: "The Terrace," "The Lookout," and "The Stoop." Each of them preserves the triple-cantilevered structure along with plans to cap the polluting highway with greenspace. However, Reynoso is worried that these plans focus too narrowly on one section of the BQE and sidelines environmental concerns of communities that have suffered the effects of traffic-belching exhaust fumes for nearly 70 years.
2. Major Energy is being forced to pay $1.5M million after ripping off their customers in Brooklyn. The energy company, which has also gone by Respond Power, had been going door to door promising Brooklynites big saving on their energy bills. The result? Paying customers got ripped off in a major way. On Monday, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that major Energy will pay a fine of $1.5 million following a lawsuit that accused the company of purposefully overcharging its customers. In Brooklyn and the seven other states that Major Energy provides for, the extra cost amounted to millions.
3. FDNY said that a major warehouse fire in Red Hook will likely take days to fully extinguish because of the highly flammable material inside. Tuesday morning, the blaze continued into what was then its 18th hour. It was reported on Tuesday that the warehouse was full of decades of cold-case police evidence — now entirely destroyed. On Tuesday morning shortly after 10:30 a.m. over 100 firefighters responded to the flames at the Erin Basin auto pound at 700 Columbia St. Fifteen NYPD members and six contractors were still inside the facility at the time. As of Wednesday evening, three firefighters, three EMS personnel, and two civilians were reported to have minor injuries.
Today in Brooklyn:
- CCBQ Christmas Toy Shop, St. Vincent Ferrer Church, Today @ 9:30 a.m. | Details
- Seasonal Strings: Holiday Party + Live Trio + Food + Open Bar, Camp David, Today @ 6 p.m. | Details
- UnWhine Thursdays, Savvy Bistro & Bar, Today @ 6 p.m. | Details
- Stand-up Comedy, Nook, Today @ 6:30 p.m. | Details
- Ambush Comedy & A Free Beer, Two Boots, Today @ 7:30 p.m. | Details
🐝 Brooklyn Buzz:
- At the link, check out Brooklyn Mag's eight favorite albums of the year (and one EP!) by Brooklyn artists! (Brooklyn Magazine)
- A long read: As we near three years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, scientists and doctors have reason to believe, beyond a reasonable doubt, that some people are genetically immune to the virus. "Never Coviders," simply built different, are those who will never come down with COVID-19 thanks to some sort of born immunity. Learn more at the link. (Subscription / The New York Times)
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Events:
- Success Academy Crown Heights and Prospect Height In-Person Tours (December 15)
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- Victorian Carol Sing-Along with Two 19th Century Pipe Organs! (December 15)
- AllIOne Collective's Holiday Fundraising Event (December 17)
- The OMNI Ensemble Continues its 40th Season with a Holiday concert of Quintet and Electronics (December 17)
- Holiday Lights At The Bronx Zoo (December 23)
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You're all caught up for today! See you all tomorrow for another update.
— Carlie Houser
About me: I'm a recent grad based in Brooklyn, NY. I love to write, run, read, and find new restaurants and venues around the city.
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Brooklyn Daily? Contact me at brooklyn@patch.com
