BP Announces Funding for Important Economic Development Projects

On July 25th, Marty was pleased to announce $2,189,000 in capital funding for the fiscal year 2003 that will go to a number of important economic projects throughout the Borough. The projects that the BP contributed to include: The Park Slope Armory is getting $50,000 this year and an additional $500,000 in 2004 to study how to make the space operational once again. The SUNY-Downstate Biotech Incubator is receiving $2 million – $1 million this year and $1 million in 2004. This money will help the incubator continue to grow as a leader in biotech research in Brooklyn. Graffiti Answers is receiving $130,000 that will go towards purchasing two trucks that will remove graffiti throughout Brooklyn. The trucks will be used for residential and commercial properties. Brooklyn residents will be able to call the BP’s Action Center to arrange for a truck to come to their neighborhood to have graffiti removed. Graffiti Answers is supplementing the Graffiti Free New York Program. The Greenpoint Manufacturing & Design Center is receiving $500,000 that will be used to add approximately 10,000 square feet to the facility that serves as an incubator and community space for small businesses and various designers. "These funds will continue to help Brooklyn reach its unlimited economic potential. Brooklyn has so many unique economic opportunities like the Park Slope Armory and the Greenpoint Manufacturing & Design Center that can and have flourished," said the BP. "It is vital for Brooklyn and New York City to continue supporting innovative and creative programs that help the borough grow economically which will be a benefit to us all."

Marty Welcomes Commissioner Castro to Borough Hall

Marty hosted a reception on July 24th at Borough Hall for Commissioner Bernadette Castro, who heads the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The BP honored Commissioner Castro and her agency for their great work in Brooklyn and their continued partnership. "Since her appointment, Commissioner Castro has provided key leadership for several innovative programs, including a number of public-private partnerships to preserve and enhance the New York State Park System. She has been a great friend to Brooklyn," said the BP. Among the number of Brooklyn projects that Commissioner Castro has been instrumental in pushing forward is the renovation of the Fulton Ferry-Empire Stores State Park, between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. The state park is the cornerstone of the planned 66-acre Brooklyn Bridge Park. Also, she’s helping in the development of a new state park on the Williamsburg waterfront. Site remediation will take place in the fall with construction of the park scheduled to begin in 2003. Some of the other diverse Brooklyn organizations that have received grants through her department are the Society for the Preservation of Weeksville, the Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment, the Old Stone House and the Canarsie Historical Society.

Marty Helps Brooklyn Seniors Go On Free Summer Bus Tours

The BP, partnering with the Department for the Aging (DFTA) and Varsity Transit, Inc., is making buses available this summer to help Brooklyn seniors enjoy all that New York City has to offer. Seniors throughout Brooklyn will go on ten day trips throughout the five boroughs through various DFTA funded programs. The seniors are traveling to fun and exciting places like the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Shea Stadium, the New York Aquarium and Rockaway Beach. On July 23rd, Marty, DFTA Commissioner Edwin Méndez-Santiago and Varsity Transit President Stan Brettschneider were on hand as Brooklynites from the Shalom Senior Center boarded a bus today for some fun in the sun at Manhattan Beach. "Brooklyn is home to many active seniors for whom transportation is a major issue," said the BP. "Anything we can do to provide additional services for our senior residents, and make their lives a little easier and more enjoyable especially delights me. I would also like to thank Commissioner Edwin Méndez-Santiago and DFTA for partnering with me on this important program, but this would not have happened without the tremendous generosity of Varsity Transit."

Don’t Forget New York’s Two Favorite Concert Series

The 24th Annual Seaside Summer Concert Series continues every Thursday Night until August 22nd at 7:30pm at Seaside Park at 5th Street and Surf Avenue in Brighton Beach, across the street from the New York Aquarium. The Beach Boys will be performing on August 1st. The public can bring their own chairs or they can be rented for $5 per chair. The 20th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Concerts are every Monday Night until August 19th at 7:30pm at Wingate Field, which is located between Winthrop Street and Kings-ton Avenue opposite Kings County Hospital. WBLS Night of Today’s Best R&B featuring Keith Sweat is set for August 5th with a rain date the following night. The public is encouraged to bring their own chairs because seating is limited. Performers are subject to change without notice. Call the concert hotline for updates on either concert at 718-469-1912 or 718-802-3700.

Marty’s On The Move

Be on the look out for the BP at your local block parties and street fairs. Marty is trying to attend as many of these fantastic Brooklyn events as he can!

Is Your Organization Looking For Volunteers?

If your Brooklyn organization is looking for any volunteers, please send us an e-mail with a description of your organization, contact information and what kinds of volunteers you are looking for to: volunteers@brooklynbp.org. We’ll try to send Brooklynites looking to volunteer along to your organization.