Brooklyn Today January 15: Brooklyn Today January 15: Gage & Tollner to Reopen in Original Downtown Brooklyn Location

The Lede

THE LEDE: Happy Tuesday! Congestion pricing gives hope to Brooklyn Heights residents, hundreds ride the subway without pants, and three are arrested in a Park Slope gang attack. Plus, elected officials call on the mayor to ease commuter traffic congestion, Gage & Tollner is reopening in Downtown Brooklyn, and a Bed-Stuy pastor is charged with sexually abusing his relative. Finally, we recommend the best happy hour deals in the city, and Rebecca Traister speaks tonight at the Brooklyn Historical Society. 

Imprint

IMPRINT: Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali graces the latest cover of Guardian Weekend.

The Rundown

CONGESTION PRICING’S IMPROVED ODDS GIVE HOPE TO BQE OPPOSITION

The stars appear to be lining up for congestion pricing in New York City, and that could have a major effect on the city’s controversial BQE reconstruction plans. In a release on Sunday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Director of the Budget Robert Mujica made clear the governor’s support, and Albany followers say the outcome of the mid-terms and leadership change in the state Senate could ease the way. While the governor looks to congestion pricing as a way to fund subway repairs, Brooklyn Heights residents see it as a way to help save their neighborhood from the devastation caused by the city’s plan to rebuild one and a half miles of the BQE. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

3 ARRESTED IN UNPROVOKED PARK SLOPE GANG ATTACK

Three young men were arrested after a 45-year-old Park Slope resident was attacked while walking to his home on Sunday evening. Police said several other such incidents occurred during the weekend, but no arrests had been made. Four young men were initially nabbed after the attack, but one was later released. They allegedly punched the victim in the face and body before snatching his house keys and running toward Prospect Park. The three will be charged with assault, criminal mischief and harassment. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

ELECTED OFFICIALS CALL ON MAYOR TO EASE COMMUTER TRAFFIC CONGESTION

Elected officials are demanding that Mayor Bill de Blasio take a closer look at congested roadways stretching from Lower Manhattan through Brooklyn and onto Staten Island. The pols, citing long commutes on the part of constituents, asked the mayor to help find ways to alleviate chronic rush hour tie-ups and rectify problems with HOV lanes between Brooklyn and Staten Island. The officials said they wanted to explore passing legislation that would prohibit tour buses from using bus lanes during the morning and evening rush. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

NEW YORKERS BARE THEIR NAKED LEGS ON ANNUAL NO PANTS SUBWAY RIDE

In the theater of the absurd, one shouldn’t be caught with one’s pants down — unless, of course, you are one of the many people who took part in the 18th annual No Pants Subway Ride. More than 100 participants gathered at the Old Stone House in Park Slope to take the R train to Union Square in Manhattan on Sunday in the bitter cold – without pants. This was one of six locations throughout the city participating in this year’s oddball event. “Being out here on a cold, brisk day — it makes you feel alive,” one participant said. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

GAGE & TOLLNER TO REOPEN IN ORIGINAL DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN LOCATION

Gage & Tollner, one of the most venerable and aristocratic restaurants in Downtown Brooklyn, is now coming back after a 15-year hiatus. St. John Frizell of Fort Defiance in Red Hook, Ben Schneider of Good Fork and his chef and wife Sohui Kim have signed a lease at 374 Fulton St. after a two-year struggle to raise the needed $400,000 from other businesses and through crowdfunding. In its heyday, it attracted Broadway and Hollywood stars like Jimmy Durante, Mae West and Fannie Brice. (New York Post via Brooklyn Eagle)

BROOKLYN PASTOR CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY ABUSING RELATIVE ON CHURCH GROUNDS

A prominent Brooklyn pastor at the helm of a Bed-Stuy church was charged with sexually abusing his young relative over the course of the last six years. According to reports, Matthew Gibson, who leads the Progressive Baptist Church of Brownsville at 295 Howard Ave., was accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting his family member on the church’s grounds since 2012, after the child’s mother died. Community members protested outside of the church on Sunday. (Fox News via Brooklyn Eagle)