Around Brooklyn: Colton praises Cuomo for Cabrini statue

October 16, 2020 Editorial Staff

Bergen Street takes you past lovely Crown Heights homes, like this cluster of landmarked residences on the corner of New York Avenue. Photo: Lore Croghan/Brooklyn Eagle

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Colton praises Cuomo for Cabrini statue

Assemblymember William Colton (D–Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) recently commended Gov. Andrew Cuomo for commissioning the State to build a monument of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in New York City. “About a year ago I sent a letter to Mayor de Blasio about the great concern that was raised in the community after an organization named SHE Built NYC rejected the public’s choice to build the statue of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. Sister Frances Xavier Cabrini came to the United States in 1889 with a small group of sisters. She founded 67 institutions within 35 years, including orphanages, schools, and hospitals, dedicated to caring for the poor, uneducated, sick, and abandoned,” he said.

Subway ridership may be coming back

In Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, there are signs of subway ridership rebounding in the wake of the coronavirus. Many subway stations in Brooklyn and Queens have recovered at least half of their ridership, according to a report by state Comptroller Tom De Napoli. Many New Yorkers, particularly immigrants and essential workers, continue to rely on the subway system, the comptroller reports. Among the stations that are showing signs of life are those in Bed-Stuy and East New York as well as Washington Heights in Manhattan and several sections of Queens. By contrast, subway ridership at such “flagship” Manhattan stations as Grand Central and Times Square remains down, Politico reports.

Subway repairs set for Eastern Parkway, big-time

A reconstruction project that will affect the subway lines that use the Eastern Parkway corridor, it was announced on Thursday. The no. 4 train will be suspended between Manhattan and Brooklyn, although most work is slated for the weekends. No. 2 and no. 3 trains will run locally within Brooklyn. The repairs, which are slated to take 33 weeks, involve the installation of drip pans, which would prevent rain from falling onto the platforms, and guardrails, according to the Brooklyn Paper. No word on the no. 5 train, which traverses much of the same route.

City hiring snow laborers

The city’s Department of Sanitation is now beginning registration for people who are interested in working as emergency snow laborers for the coming winter season. Emergency snow laborers are per-diem workers who shovel snow and clear ice from bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants and step streets around the five boroughs after heavy snowfalls. They must be at least 18 years of age and capable of performing heavy physical labor.

Ford, Mellon foundations sponsor disabled artists’ program

The Ford Foundation and the Andrew Mellon Foundation have recently announced the Disability Futures Fellow program. The recipients of the 18-month initiative will each receive a $50,000 grant. The Disability Future program was born out of a year-long research study that interviewed dozens of disabled artists and creative practitioners across the United States. “It is a privilege to recognize this array of creative professionals and lift up their contributions to the arts, journalism, and documentary film,” said Margaret Morton, director of creativity and free expression at the Ford Foundation.

Schumer, Gillibrand announce $1M for fire research

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) recently announced $1,068,883.81 in federal funding for the National Development Research Institute (NDRI-USA) in New York City to further its research and development on fire prevention and safety. The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. “New York City’s firefighters have been on the front lines throughout this pandemic and long before, risking their lives to protect and support our communities,” said Schumer. “These courageous first responders deserve all the federal support possible to help them do their jobs safely.”

Turf field at Williamsburg park called unsafe

Williamsburg residents say the deteriorated turf field at Bushwick Inlet Park on the Williamsburg waterfront has become a public hazard. The synthetic turf at Kent Avenue has been a hub for local sports, including soccer, lacrosse, football, field hockey and more, since it opened about a decade ago. One of the founders of the soccer club NY Footy, Tarek Pertew, says, “You end up tearing up more turf because you kick a tear. You’re likely to have interruptions at least once per game.” The city has only done patch jobs over the years, according to amNewYork.

Get the frack out, activists tell gas co.

A group of activists halted work on a Brooklyn gas pipeline on Thursday when they went into the underground construction site and refused to leave. The environmental group No North Brooklyn Pipeline posted online that “Brooklyn community members have locked down the National Grid’s North Brooklyn fracked gas pipeline, halting construction.” Four activists were arrested by police after chaining themselves inside two pits, and more than a dozen demonstrated against the project nearby. They slammed Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio for “not listening to the pleas of the community,” according to the New York Post.

Firefighters rescue one from Clinton Hill fire

FDNY members responded to an all-hands fire in Clinton Hill on Oct. 14. Battalion 31 transmitted an urgent “10-75” call for fire on the top floor of a four-story brownstone around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday night. Firefighters from FDNY Ladder Co. 119 found a victim at 148 Washington Ave. The victim was quickly turned over to EMS crews, who rushed her to a local hospital, according to Fire Engineering.

Bakery offers math classes along with treats

The Bakery on Bergen in Prospect Heights is owned by Akim Vann, a former teacher and mathematician. She offers math classes to children in the community, especially during the current coronavirus pandemic. A sign outside her store says “We Sprinkle a Little Black Magic on Everything,” letting people know that a Black woman owns the store. Her specialty is rum cake, according to PIX11.

Chirlane McCray won’t run for borough president

New York City first lady Chirlane McCray said she will not run for Brooklyn borough president next year. She made the announcement in an interview with NY1 on Thursday night. “I thought about running for Brooklyn borough president. I thought about it long and hard and decided in this urgent moment there’s so much work to be done, right now, right here where I am, and my priority really is to see this through — my priority is serving the people of New York,” McCray told anchor Cheryl Wills. McCray said she will focus on helping New Yorkers struggle through the pandemic and economic crisis, according to 1010 WINS.

Cyclist critical after hit-run collision

A bicyclist was in critical condition at press time after colliding with an SUV that fled the scene early Thursday in Brownsville. Police said that just before 2:30 a.m., the 29-year-old man was struck by a Kia Soul while biking on Prospect Place near Thomas S. Boyland Street. The two men inside the vehicle exited and ran off, according to police. The victim was transported to Brookdale Hospital Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, according to 1010 WINS.

Met Council opens list for senior building

For the first time in five years, the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, popularly known as Met Council, is opening the list for affordable senior housing at Council Tower Village in Canarsie. The building has 122 apartments, and seniors pay an average of $422 per month. “We are thrilled to offer this incredible opportunity for senior New Yorkers to live in a wonderful and thriving community in Brooklyn,” said David G. Greenfield, CEO of Met Council. “This building is beautifully maintained in a wonderful neighborhood and this is a limited opportunity for seniors to access affordable housing.” Met Council owns and operates 19 buildings of affordable housing, according to The Yeshiva World.

Compiled by Raanan Geberer.