Community Corner
🌱 Zoning In On Zoning + Updated BQE Designs + JFK Bus Thief
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Brooklyn.
Hello, hello! I'm here with your fresh copy of the Brooklyn Patch newsletter, filled with all the things you need to know about what's happening in town. In today's issue of the newsletter, you'll learn about these stories and more:
- Brooklyn's new city planner is zoning in on affordable housing and the climate crisis
- Yet another set of BQE design concepts have been released after much community engagement
- Things for your Thursday — lots of beer, whiskey, and food tasting opportunities!
But first, today's weather: 🌧 A shower in the morning. High: 57 Low: 35.
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Here are the top stories in Brooklyn today:
1. Brooklyn's got a new city planner with big plans to increase housing stock in the borough. The Department of City Planning's new Brooklyn director Alex Sommer who took up his position last October, inherited among other things, a major housing crisis. In December, Mayor Eric Adams announced his administration's ambitious goal of constructing 500,000 new homes in the city over the next decade, and Sommer is committed to getting Brooklyn to meet its quota. The first plan taking shape under Sommer's tenure is The Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, a redevelopment proposal that aims to create more affordable housing opportunities to the busy corridor from Vanderbilt Avenue to Nostrand Avenue — a stretch notoriously inhibited by zoning laws that date back to 1961. Further, the climate crisis is also weighing heavy on Sommer's mind, especially in a borough with 130 miles of coastline. As part of his zoning and development agenda, Sommer is hiring two new staff members to take on climate resiliency studies in Coney Island and Bed-Stuy, and will continue to build on carbon neutrality zoning plans to support climate goals. Learn more about Sommer's agenda items and how he plans to get them done at the link below.
2. And in more development news, yet another round of design concepts has been released for the BQE revamp effort. The NYC Department of Transportation has release three new ideas for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, specifically the city-owned stretch from Atlantic Avenue to Sands Street. Amongst other improvements, the new plans include efforts to make the highway as narrow as possible, a focus on safer bike and pedestrian connections, reduced noise and air pollution, and respecting the historic nature of the Brooklyn Promenade. DOT has been holding community workshops to residents can give input on what they'd like to see in a new BQE — just last weekend, locals gathered despite freezing temperatures to discuss plans. Going further, DOT will continue to rely on community feedback when choosing which design concepts to pursue.
3. A thief was arrested in Brooklyn after stealing an American Airlines bus from JFK Airport. Early yesterday morning, around 2 a.m., a man climbed behind the wheel of an airport bus at the Queens airport and took off. He made it all the way to Brooklyn before police caught up to him and took him into custody near Cadman Plaza. NYPD has not yet identified the 43-year-old thief to the press but were able to confirm that no one else was on board the bus and no injuries have been reported.
Today in Brooklyn:
- Free Admissions Thursdays, Brooklyn Children's Museum, Today @ 1 - 4 p.m. | Details
- Chocolate Factory Tour & Chocolate-Making Bar, Kahkow USA, Today @ 2 - 3 p.m. | Details
- Music Trivia, Coney Island Brewery, Today @ 6 - 8 p.m. | Details
- Weekly Specialty Tour: Guided Beer & Food Pairing, Coney Island Brewery, Today @ 6 - 7 p.m. | Details
- Educational Tour and Tasting: How Beer Becomes Whiskey, 942 Grand St., Today @ 11 p.m. | Details
🐝 Brooklyn Buzz:
- 🍻 Brooklyn Lager turns 35! "The flagship of global craft beer innovator, Brooklyn Brewery, was first created as a dream to return brewing to Brooklyn. It helped establish the Williamsburg-based brewery as a pioneer of the American craft beer movement and has been a staple of the craft beer scene since. As a testament to its exceptional and enduring character, the award-winning Lager is available across the US and in over 30 countries around the globe three and a half decades later. Starting March 24, Brooklyn Brewery will kick off 35th anniversary celebrations for the iconic beer with a 2-day party at Teddy's Bar & Grill, one of the very first locations to ever carry Brooklyn Lager back in 1988." More at the link! (Business Wire)
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Featured businesses:
- Cool Hand Movers — (Visit website)
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Featured events:
- The Simon & Garfunkel Story (March 3)
- As Quiet As It's Kept, We Thrive: Stories & Portraits from the Heart of BedStuy (March 4)
- Tony Newbury Live in Brooklyn with Special Guests. (March 4)
- Comedy Special Taping (BYOB + Free Dinks) - Nick Hopping (March 4)
- Success Academy Presents: NYC Elementary School Admissions Webinar with Alina Adams (March 8)
- Fine & Decorative Arts Auction | Jewelry | Artwork | Furniture | Silver (March 9)
- Add your event
Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday. 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at brooklyn@patch.com
