Brooklyn Borough President

MARKOWITZ COMMENDS COMMERCE BANK AND PARK SLOPE RESIDENTS ON OUTSTANDING COLLABORATION


Photograph by Kathyrn Kirk
In photo 1 (from left to right): Aaron Naparstek of Park Slope Neighbors, Greg Braca, Market Manager for New York City of Commerce Bank, State Senator Andrews, Borough President Markowitz, State Assembly Member Millman and Council Member de Blasio.

“I’m delighted with the process that led to Commerce Bank’s new plan for its Park Slope branch, which illustrates how community input can help lead to development that is appropriate to a neighborhood,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “This project serves as an example to all companies — the best way to do business in Brooklyn is to work with and respect the community. Commerce Bank, the First Street Block Association, and Park Slope Neighbors are all to be commended on their outstanding collaboration.”

On Thursday, March 3, Borough President Markowitz, Park Slope Neighbors and Commerce Bank unveiled a rendering of the bank’s new branch in Park Slope. The building’s final plan resulted from a collaborative effort between the Park Slope community and Commerce Bank after local residents and merchants voiced concerns about the bank’s original drive-thru design and its impact on their neighborhood. Though zoning laws permitted Commerce Bank to proceed with its plan, the bank met with neighborhood groups at Borough Hall and at the Community Board’s office, and using their suggestions, adjusted the design. The bank is slated to open in December on Fifth Avenue between First and Garfield Streets. Council Member Bill de Blasio, State Assembly Member Joan Millman, and State Senator Carl Andrews also lent their support to the process.

“Commerce Bank’s executives deserve high praise for the way that they listened and worked with residents in our community,” said Park Slope Neighbors campaign coordinator Aaron Naparstek. “The new bank is a welcome addition to Fifth Avenue and, personally, I can’t wait to use the free coin-counting machine.”

The new red brick building will have a grand entrance at the corner of Fifth Avenue and First Street and tall windows along the sidewalk. The new design has a welcoming feel to it and is in many ways a throwback to bank buildings of old. In addition to the free coin-counting machine, other amenities include parking space for both cars and bikes and a water spigot for neighborhood dogs.