What’s News Breaking: Wednesday, August 4, 2021

August 4, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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PROTECTING NYC FROM HURRICANE DAMAGE: The completion of the Interim Flood Protection Measures (IFPM) program was marked this week with a tour to the Atlantic Basin IFPM site in Red Hook. Officials from the New York City Emergency Management Department, Mayor’s Office of Climate and Resiliency, and New York City Department of Design and Construction visited the Atlantic Basin, which is the program’s final planned installation. Its design includes a combination of semi-permanent barriers with various openings that allow for normal site operations, but the storm openings are then closed when surge from a coastal storm is forecast using just-in-time, deployable protection measures.

The Interim Flood Protection Measures program was created in 2016 to protect critical facilities, infrastructure, and low-lying areas in New York City from flooding caused by a hurricane, such as when Superstorm Sandy hit in 2012. The completion of the Atlantic Basin IFPM site coincides with peak hurricane season in New York City, which runs from August through October.

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URGE FUNDING FOR MTA: Bay Ridge’s elected leaders, riders and transit advocates joined forces in imploring Congress to send federal funds for transit operations rather than cut service once pandemic aid expires, as Congressional leaders, including Brooklyn’s delegation, negotiate transit operations funding in federal transportation and infrastructure bills (H.R.3744). New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus, and Councilmember Justin Brannan participated in a rally with Riders Alliance, the Transport Workers Union, and coalition of transit riders and advocates for a rally and a canvas of commuters on Tuesday morning, urging Congress to pass the Stronger Communities Through Better Transit Act, that would bring home $3 billion for high quality and dependable buses, trains, and paratransit.

“The R train doesn’t care if you are a Republican or a Democrat when you are on the platform waiting for it for 20 minutes,” said Councilmember Brannan, who called upon Congressmembers to put aside what he calls petty political bickering.

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“SWEET SUMMER HIRING”: Doherty Enterprises’ Panera Bread locations, including two in Brooklyn, will hold an all-day hiring event this Thursday, as part of Panera’s national “Sweet Summer” hiring initiative. The company seeks entry and management-level associates to join the Panera Bread family, as cashiers, salad & sandwich makers, bakers, team managers and catering leads. The nationwide hiring event runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at participating Panera Bread Brooklyn locations, including the site at 345 Adams Street near the Marriott, and Gateway Center in East New York, just off the Belt Parkway.

Each applicant will receive a complimentary bakery treat and iced drink from Panera Bread.

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ROADS BEING MILLED IN SW BROOKLYN: The Department of Transportation (DOT) will begin milling and paving roads within Brooklyn Community Board 10 in Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, and Fort Hamilton, starting this week. Affected streets and sections during this paving cycle include: 92nd Street from Shore Road to Ridge Blvd.; Gelston Ave. from 86th to 94th streets; 81st St. from 3rd to 7th avenues, Dahlgren Place from 86th St. to Fort Hill Place (between the Gowanus Expressway and Poly Prep); 85th St. from Dahlgren Place to 14th Ave.; 82nd St. from Dahlgren Place to 14th Ave.; 11th Ave. from Bay Ridge Pkwy (75^th St.) to 86th St.; and Bay Ridge Pkwy. from 7th to 14^th avenues.

Drivers and residents are instructed to follow signs that will be posted in advance of scheduled work.

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COMMERCE GROUPS RESPOND TO NEW VACCINE MANDATE: Following the newly-mandated vaccine requirements that were announced so far this week for the restaurant, entertainment and fitness industries, the Five-Borough Chamber Alliance responded to the requirement with a statement, excerpted as follows: “Although we appreciate that small businesses have had a difficult time hiring employees, and in Brooklyn, some communities have complex opinions about the vaccine, this is a necessary step for businesses to continue serving customers safely and preventing more drastic restrictions and shutdowns that would again cripple the economy. Small businesses now need to be fully supported by government in implementing and enforcing this policy, and more relief is still urgently needed to realize a comprehensive economic comeback.”

The mandate applies to workers and customers of restaurants, entertainment venues and fitness businesses.

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BROOKLYN CALM THROUGH YOGA: Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams’ “Welcome Back Brooklyn Summer Wednesdays” continues tomorrow, August 4 with “Brooklyn Calm” Meditation. Leading the meditation is Sheree Sophas Surreal Serenity, LLC, who also does massage therapy. Participants need to bring their own yoga mats.

Each Welcome Back Brooklyn Summer Wednesdays take place through Sept. 1, each from noon to 1 p.m. at Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza, Court and Remsen streets. The rain date is Thursday, August 5.

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BROOKLYNITES EARN TECH DEGREES: Five Brooklynites are among more than 1,100 students who received degrees recently from the from New York Institute of Technology. Brooklyn members of the Class of 2021 are Susan Lobo (Greenpoint/11222), who earned a bachelor of science in business administration; Gregory Salvesen (East Williamsburg/11206), earned a bachelor of science in Computer Science; Japheth Zino Aleyakpo (Fort Greene/11205), who completed the MARCH Architecture program; Chidera Egbukwu from Brooklyn (East Williamsburg/11206) who completed the MS Cybersecurity program; and Quinn O’Brien from Brooklyn (Greenpoint/11222), who completed the MS Occupational Therapy program.

New York Institute of Technology offers 90 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in more than 50 fields of study, including computer science, data, and cybersecurity; biology and biomedical studies; architecture and design; engineering; health professions and medicine; IT and digital technologies.