Brooklyn Today January 9: Brooklyn Today January 9: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski Purchase Brooklyn Heights Real Estate for $11 Million

The Lede

THE LEDE: Happy Wednesday! New York City guarantees health care for all, two cranes collapse in Mill Basin, and we remember judge William Thompson. Plus, Chuck Schumer warns that NYC will soon feel the pain of the government shutdown, a new development is planned for Sunset Park, and Emily Blunt and John Krasinski purchase real estate in Brooklyn Heights. Finally, a new Bushwick grocery store forgoes bags, sales begin for One Clinton, and we recommend the must-try restaurants this winter. 

Imprint

Welsh actor Luke Evans graces the latest cover of GQ Italia.

The Rundown

NYC TO GUARANTEE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL, EVEN UNDOCUMENTED

The bold plan will cost the city taxpayers $100 million a year, but Mayor Bill de Blasio says “multiple times that amount” would be spent in the future without his new plan. In a surprise announcement, the mayor says the city will guarantee health care to every resident, regardless of their ability to pay or their immigration status. The new program, called NYC Care, will cover roughly the 600,000 city residents without insurance, roughly half of whom are undocumented immigrants. The program will save the city money down the road, the mayor said on Tuesday. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

2 CRANES COLLAPSE ON BARGE IN MILL BASIN

Two cranes collapsed after one became unstable and pulled the other over in Mill Basin near a boat yard on Flatbush Avenue near Kings Plaza on Monday afternoon. No injuries were reported. Members of the Coast Guard were called to the scene after the incident left two cranes overturned and disabled on a work barge while trying to secure a bulkhead at an unidentified boat yard. Coast Guard officers on the scene were monitoring the situation to make sure there was no oil or toxic chemicals dumped into the bay. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

SCHUMER WARNS THAT NYC RESIDENTS WILL SOON FEEL PAIN OF GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

The economy of New York is under threat, and residents will soon begin to feel the pain from the partial government shutdown, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said on Sunday. After meeting with President Donald Trump last week, Schumer said the president told him the shutdown, which Schumer calls “needless,” could last months or even years. “Sometimes, when we talk about the Big Picture … you might not realize that this Trump shutdown is affecting all sorts of everyday folks here in New York,” Schumer said. The shutdown will affect subway and bus service, area airports and tax refunds. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

NEW YEAR, NEW DEVELOPMENT MOOTED FOR SUNSET PARK, DYKER HEIGHTS’ EIGHTH AVENUE

The already teeming Eighth Avenue corridor on the border of Sunset Park and Dyker Heights could see even more new development, as one more player has entered the area with plans for a multi-story mixed-use commercial/residential building. Getty Realty Trust, which owns the property at 6418 Eighth Ave. — a lot at the corner of 65th Street that is the site of a long-standing gas station — is looking to construct an eight-story development with 48 apartments and commercial space on the first and second floors. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

REMEMBERING JUDGE ‘WILLIE’ THOMPSON, A BROOKLYNITE FOR ALL SEASONS

William C. Thompson, a Brooklyn College and Brooklyn Law School graduate, began his illustrious career being elected to the New York State Senate in 1965. As Chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Child Care Needs, he sponsored and signed into law over 25 bills. Justice Thompson served on the City Council from 1969-1973. “Willy” Thompson is survived by his son, William Jr., his daughter Gail and countless other loving family members and friends. (via Brooklyn Eagle)

EMILY BLUNT AND JOHN KRASINSKI PURCHASE ENTIRE FLOOR IN BROOKLYN HEIGHTS FOR $11 MILLION

Show business couple Emily Blunt and John Krasinski have paid $11 million for a full floor at The Standish in Brooklyn Heights, a transaction that would be one of the largest ever done in Brooklyn. The couple opted to purchase and could combine two units at the venerable apartment house at 171 Columbia Heights. The couple reportedly executed the purchase through a trust. In the same building, fellow actor Matt Damon paid $16.745 for the penthouse last year, setting a new Brooklyn price record. (WSJ via Brooklyn Eagle)

NEW BUSHWICK GROCERY STORE DOESN’T HAVE BAGS OR CONTAINERS

Many cities across the country have enacted bans on plastic bags. New York City, for example, just banned foam containers and some officials have called for bans of plastic straws. Now, a store has opened inBushwick that doesn’t give bags or packages at all. If you visit Precycle at 321 Starr St., you’ll have to bring your own bag or container. Products are sold in bulk, and the aisles are filled with large bins of legumes, pasta, flour, produce and spices. (Grub Street via Brooklyn Eagle)  

SALES BEGIN FOR CONDO TOWER THAT REPLACED BROOKLYN HEIGHTS LIBRARY

Two years after the Brooklyn Heights Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library was demolished, sales have begun for condos in the 38-story building that is quickly rising on the site. The building is located on a lot between Clinton Street and Cadman Plaza West. It is now known as One Clinton. Prospective buyers are getting the first look inside, and the interiors include white oak flooring, marble-covered bathrooms, custom cabinets, high ceilings and huge windows. Prices begin a $1.088 million for a one-bedroom unit and rise to $5.26 million for a four-bedroom condo. (Curbed via Brooklyn Eagle)