Sunset Park BID leader meets with senate candidates

Seat has been vacant since January

August 1, 2014 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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Sunset Park’s business community is eager to see who will replace Borough President Eric Adams in the state senate and whether that person will work to promote economic growth, according to leaders.

Renee Giordano, executive director of the Sunset Park Business Improvement District (BID), recently met with Jesse Hamilton and Rubain Dorancy, the two candidates running in the Democratic Primary on Sept. 9 in the state senate’s 20th District. The district covers Crown Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens and Brownsville and includes parts of Sunset Park, Park Slope, Gowanus and Prospect Heights.

“Both candidates seem very committed to the community,” Giordano said.

During the meetings, Giordano discussed community concerns about a proposed shopping mall on Eighth Avenue and 62nd Street. The developer is planning to break ground in less than a year, according to Giordano.

The Sunset Park BID represents more than 350 property owners and 500 retail businesses on Fifth Avenue between 38th and 64th streets.

On Aug. 14, the Sunset Park BID will host a “Candidates Night” at the Sunset Park Library at 5108 Fourth Ave. from 6 to 8 p.m.

Hamilton, who lives in Crown Heights, is a lawyer who works for the New York City Department of Finance. He served as counsel to Adams when Adams was a state senator. Hamilton is also the Democratic district leader of the 43rd Assembly District.

In an article about the race in May, DNAinfo.com reported that Hamilton has been endorsed by Adams, his old boss.

Dorancy, who is also from Crown Heights, is an attorney and serves as an administrator for with the New York City Department of Education.

The senate was held for many years by Adams, who vacated it on Jan. 1 when he took office as the borough president. Governor Andrew Cuomo did not call a special election to fill the seat, as many political observers had expected.

As a result, the seat has remained empty.