The Metropolitan Transportation Authority shut down the elevators at the Borough Hall subway station Downtown in July, starting a multi-month repair project of the lifts, according to the agency. 

The $6.4 million scheme is slated to wrap in spring of 2021, but civic gurus in nearby Brooklyn Heights have asked the agency to also start work on the neighborhood’s Clark Street station elevators, while ridership figures remain below normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There’s no reason why they couldn’t start on Clark Street while they’re working on Borough Hall,” said the association’s executive director Lara Birnback.

Transportation officials in February announced plans to shutter Clark Street station for eight months to fast-track repairs on its three elevators which provide the only access to the deep-underground stop. – Brooklyn Paper

Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP) has opened just over 3 acres of new parkland at the Pier 2 Uplands, bringing the Park’s construction to 95% complete. The Pier 2 Uplands expands the Park’s green space east of Pier 2, adding a 6,300 square foot lawn and nearly 1,300 new trees and shrubs and also includes the completion of the sound attenuating berm to reduce traffic noise. Like other sections of the Park, granite from the Brooklyn Bridge was reused for seating throughout the new section.

The Pier 2 Uplands also includes a new water play area that features pier remnants cut away during the construction of Pier 3. Run off from the water play will be captured via an underground retention tank and to be re-used for irrigation throughout the site. The retention tank, which sits below the lawn, holds over 15,000 gallons of water and was designed specifically to meet the irrigation requirements of the Uplands.

For more info visit: https://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/blog/news-media/pier-2-uplands-opens-july-6-2020

Scene: You, deciding to take a scenic, leisurely stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge. You, impeded by selfie-taking tourists. You, side-swiped by Tour-de-France-in-training cyclists. (I kid! I kid! Kind of.)

Who among us has not grimly wished that SOMEBODY please do SOMETHING about the non-vehicular traffic on the Bridge? Fret not, neighbors: Our City Council has heard you, and now you can make your preferences known in a competition to re-design the Bridge’s walkway.

Brooklyn Paper reports that the City Council and the Van Alen Institute have chosen six finalists, three from architecture firms and three from contestants under 21, to expand the pedestrian and cycling opportunities on the historic structure. Among the finalists is Arup, engineer/repairer of the late, ill-fated Squibb Bridge. One plan includes eliminating vehicle traffic entirely, another envisions “microforest” bridge bookends, and third calls for a glass deck.

Details/renderings are available in Brooklyn Paper.

The public can view the final presentations via Zoom on July 23 at 6pm by registering here, and you can vote for your favorite design during the last week in July. – Brooklyn Heights Blog

Editor’s Note: I guess this means more construction in our future.

At Jack the Horse, some employees had encouraged the restaurant’s ownership to start a fundraiser, thinking that they would be raising funds entirely to support their laid-off staff. Now, three former employees say that they have been struggling for months with the restaurant’s owners to get ahold of thousands of dollars that were raised through GoFundMe. Oltmans and Schubert told their staff and confirmed with Eater that they used some of the money to pay their own bills, including food and alcohol vendor payments and insurance bills. It’s a move that they say is well within their rights — even as some employees are left shocked at their actions.

“The GoFundMe was set up for employees,” says one of the former staffers, who requested anonymity to speak freely. “These funds have been misappropriated to say the least.” -Eater. Read entire story below.

https://ny.eater.com/2020/7/8/21308270/brooklyn-heights-restaurant-go-fund-me-funds-dispute

Here is a link to a story about Cranberry’s from Brooklyn Heights Blog in which CPN Shareholder Dorcas Mendez is mentioned: http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/91273

After 42 years in Brooklyn Heights, we learned today that Cranberry’s will not be re-opening. Signage on the soon to close storefront includes a letter to the neighborhood as well as many photographs of the store and its people through the years. Cranberry’s, you will be sorely missed. -KK

The Library’s online programs and resources are available wherever you are! Borrow eBooks and audiobooks, attend a virtual storytime, get resume help, research a school project and much more.

The Library subscribes to several eReader apps, including SimplyE and Libby. Don’t have a library card? New York residents can apply online for an eCard. There are a host of additional services available virtually. Learn more here: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/coronavirus/virtual-resources

CPN Board President Ted Valand and Board Secretary Eva Baide presented our retiring doorman, Daniel Zelaya, with a check representing all donations from Shareholders as well as a framed plaque. Daniel was with us for 38 years and we wish him a happy, healthy retirement. Thanks again to the CPN Holiday Fund Committee for facilitating the collections.

A new dining scene has emerged on our little end of Henry Street, post-quarantine. Noodle Pudding, Brooklyn Heights Wine Bar, Henry’s End, Bevacco, Henry Street Ale House, Asia Indian, Kogane and others have staked their claim on coveted parking spots to create an outdoor dining experience complete with plantings, lights and umbrellas. Here are some highlights that even include the newly reopened Vineapple, just off Henry.

– KK

Vineapple (Pineapple Street off Henry) invites the neighborhood to check out the redesigned space and enjoy grand opening specials: Free small coffee or cold brew – $1 espresso drinks –

Coffee, tea, pastries, bagels, and more coming this week.