Brooklyn Today: Menchaca ‘holds all the cards.’

July 24, 2019 Brooklyn Eagle

From Domino Park's esplanade, you get a good view of the sun setting behind the Williamsburg Bridge.

The Williamsburg Bridge. Eagle photo by Lore Croghan

Share this:

THE LEDE: Good morning! A redevelopment process that has been debated for months with broad implications for one of New York City’s most diverse neighborhoods will come down to the decision of a single person. Councilmember Carlos Menchaca, who represents Sunset Park, will have the final say on whether to kill or approve Industry City’s rezoning application.

Think there’s something we should cover? Let us know. Also, if you like what we’re doing, tell a friend, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

THE RUNDOWN

~ PROPERTIES ARE UNLAWFULLY TARGETED FOR SEIZURE, SAYS PROBE INTO CITY HOUSING PROGRAM: A city-run housing program with a history of debates and controversy has not been following its own parameters, a report released Monday found.

~ BROOKLYN LEADS THE CITY IN REQUESTS FOR NYPD BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE: The Civilian Complaint Review Board released a report earlier this month showing that the NYPD has failed to meet requests for release of body-worn camera footage in cases of alleged misconduct.

~ ONE POLITICIAN COULD DECIDE THE FATE OF INDUSTRY CITY’S REZONING: “The most important person in this room, or in this process, is the councilmember,” zoning lawyer George Janes told Community Board 7. “That’s the person who really holds all the cards.”

~ HUNDREDS OF HEROES: LIONI’S TO OPEN A NEW LOCATION IN SUNSET PARK: Residents of Sunset Park are set to become part of the Lioni Italian Heroes family as the Italian-American shop officially expects to open there on Thursday or Friday.

~ A PHOTO OF THAT FADED NO-PARKING SIGN COULD LEAVE YOU FINE-FREE: A new bill passed by the City Council on Tuesday will bring some relief to car drivers that know all too well the frustration of parking in a space that looks available, only to return to their car and find that they’ve been ticketed for parking illegally.

~ LANDMARK THIS CHURCH BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE, FLATBUSH GROUP URGES: A neighborhood group is running an email campaign and a petition drive to protect recently sold Flatbush Presbyterian Church from the wrecking ball.

~ AFTER THE RAIN, THE RECKONING: PARK SLOPERS CHECK THE DAMAGE AFTER A 40-MINUTE FLOOD: The epic, lightning-quick flooding of Carroll Street and Fourth Avenue in Park Slope Monday evening totaled cars, seeped into residents’ homes and business owners’ basements and left one Park Sloper wading through feet of water to make sure her dog was safe in her first-floor apartment.

~ PROTESTORS RALLY TO FIGHT DEMOLITION OF POSSIBLE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD STOP: Councilmembers Stephen Levin and Laurie Cumbo, along with activists, spoke of the importance of safeguarding the historic building — even as parks and skyscrapers crop up around it.

~ ATLANTIC YARDS’ BELOW-GROUND GYM POSTPONED FOR ABOVE-GROUND REVIEW: An advisory group postponed its vote on a 105,000-square-foot fitness center and field house proposed for Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park so it can first examine Empire State Development’s rationale for forgoing an environmental review of the facility.

MORE BROOKLYN NEWS

~ “The Brooklyn Heights Promenade was a Robert Moses head fake” (Intelligencer)

~ A new American restaurant from famed chef Danny Brown opens in Brooklyn Bridge Park. (Eater)

~ A Williamsburg woman singlehandedly drained the Long Island Expressway on Monday. (Gothamist)

~ Billy Joel invited a 14-year-old blind pianist from Brooklyn to sing with him on stage at Madison Square Garden. (WOWT)

~ “If a rainstorm causes flooding in New York, what would a hurricane bring?” (NYT)

~ A top NYPD official vowed to catch a group of men that threw buckets of water on police officers in Brooklyn. (New York Post)

STAFF PICKS

~ READ: “Last Woman Standing: Belittled by Viacom and CBS executives and insulted by her own father, Shari Redstone now sits atop a $30 billion media empire.” (Intelligencer)

~ EAT: From Dominican to Italian food, here are the 17 best restaurants in Crown Heights. (Eater)

~ LAUGH: God orders flash floods in New York City. (The New Yorker)

~ LIVE: From proper lighting to putting down screens, here are some tips on how to make the most of reading this summer. (NYT)

WHAT’S HAPPENING

8:30AM – 2:30PM — Robert Mueller Testimony Watch Party at Brooklyn Roasting Company. Details.

6:30PM – 8:30PM — Bridges and Tunnels Boat Tour at Pier 83. Details.

7:00PM — Outdoor Cinema: “Waiting for Guffman” at Parklife. Details.

THE WRAP

⌛ ON THIS DAY
In 1924, the Eagle reported, “The best laid plans of a clique of master bootleggers went far astray on Rockaway Beach this morning. Results: Rockaway’s bungalow colony engaged in a pitched battle of bottles and got away with at least 1,800 cases of imported Scotch that the bootleg ring had intended for Broadway’s clubs and cabarets.”

📔 IMPRINT
A recent issue of Dutch magazine De Dakhaas takes the cake for most colorful cover.

👑 ROYAL WATCH
A South Dakota resident became the first woman to take part in this royal ceremony since the 12th century. (People)

🏀 SPORTS
Joe Harris and Jarrett Allen are invited to play for Team USA. (NetsDaily)

BIRTHDAYS

Happy birthday to Barry Bonds, Peter Serkin, Ruth Buzzi, Anna Paquin, Rose Byrne, Jennifer Lopez, Eugene Mirman, Pat Oliphant, Elisabeth Moss, Claire McCaskill, Julie Krone and Robert Hays!

Brooklyn Today’s editor is Scott Enman. Contact him at [email protected].