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Tuesday, November 3 Williamsburg Walks Feedback Session

Every year, Neighbors Allied for Good Growth (NAG) and the L Magazine want to get closer to what the people in the neighborhood want Williamsburg Walks to be like, this is why we are inviting you along with local residents and organizations to a:

Williamsburg Walks Feedback session

On Tuesday November 3rd, from 7 to 9pm,

At the Senior Center, 270 Bedford Avenue, in Williamsburg

(between N1st St. and Metropolitan Ave, right across from the Metropolitan Swimming Pool)

Project for Public Spaces (PPS) - an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people create and sustain public places that build communities – will be conducting the session. Since 1975, PPS has worked in more than 2,500 communities helping people turn their public spaces into vital community places, with programs, uses, and people-friendly settings that build local value and serve community needs. PPS will facilitate the discussion that will inform what improvements can be made next summer.

Please join us to share your opinion and ideas so we can make this event a true celebration of the neighborhood’s multifaceted identity.

For more information, visit williamsburgwalks.org or contact Gregor Nemitz-Ziadie by email at williamsburgwalks@gmail.com.

Thoughts on Displacement by Deborah Masters

I heard former NAG member Deborah Masters give an amazing recollection of her life in Williamsburg at a recent conference and thought it would be interesting to share it on the blog.

I moved to NY in 1974 to go to art school. Since then I have been pushed out of 3 loft buildings despite the fact that I helped do the work on the Loft Law and Chapter 466, which covered Brooklyn. These buildings were supposed to be protected. There are no real protections for loft dwellers, even when they are within the law. When we were on Pearl Street in DUMBO, the city started sandblasting the Manhattan Bridge. It was a really hot summer and we had our windows open. We would sweep up huge piles of lead paint-covered metal blast every night, not realizing that we were both getting sick. No-one had given us residential notice of lead paint danger.

Read the full piece...

At 223 Water Street, we were breathing spray paint fumes and baking fumes when the steel lockers and cabinets were put in the baking ovens in the factory downstairs. From the lead paint, I had miscarriages, but from the toluene in the paint and lacquer spraying, I would wake up with temporary blindness and eventually suffered neurological damage. The 223 Water St. building was sold to Josh Gutman, the landlord of the famed Greenpoint Terminal Market fire, and then we knew what hell was.

Gutman cut all our water and sewage lines and the old wood-floor building leaked water and sewage to the basement (most of us lived on the top floors) where, within 6 months, very bad toxic mold covered the building walls. We tried to get the Health Department and the Police Dept. to protect us, but I came to realize that in our legal loft, we were living outside the law to them and that we wouldn't be respected with normal protections. The judge in our court case awarded us health damages because we were all really sick (2 of the Mexican workers died from the mold) and he just wanted us to move out of there. So we moved to Williamsburg while Dumbo filled up with seriously wealthy people.

I had worked in Williamsburg/Greenpoint since 1990 doing environmental work for the Watchperson Project and NAG so I knew the community really well. We found a great concrete building on the Southside on Kent and Division that was perfect for making sculpture- strong floors and fire-proof. We had to put in water, electric, gas, windows, and walls. For this expense we got a 10-year lease. What choice? The City provides no legal living for artists. I knew life in Williamsburg was not going to be permanent because they were already working on the re-zoning in 1998. Schaeffer was the first district waterfront project and it's right across from 475 Kent Ave. But I love this community: the different populations, the air and light the low buildings allow, the community context to everything. When my dog died Latino kids from Roberto Clemente ball field and the fire department came to help me carry him – that's the kind of community this is.

Now that's evaporating. There will be no artists, no ethnic varieties, no light, no air. Bloomberg already did away with a few fire stations, now some police are going. I see white women on Grand St. talking about how they’re going to pay Hispanic women to take their kids to another school. In Dumbo now, the only minorities are pushing white twins and triplets around in carriages.

I come here today from packing up a truck for 8 hours with my studio. After we were vacated from my building for 3-1/2 months this winter and I was instrumental in getting us back in, I’m losing my studio. My landlord raised my rent to $5000/month. Who makes that kind of money? For much less than that we bought some land upstate and built a barn for me to work in. I will really miss NYC. I worked hard on the environment in Williamsburg, was on the Community Board, and made sculpture that’s around the City. I got the Governor's Award for Pollution Prevention and the Best Public Art Prize for 2002. I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge with Café and all the Hassids against the Brooklyn Navy Yard Incinerator. I made art signs for Radiac, the NISA Electric Barge, TGE, and the Keyspan Tanks. I did more Vision Sessions in non-English communities than any other deliverer after 9-11.

I heard a program yesterday on the WPA. They talked about how the unemployed population was put to work after the depression building parks and trails and public lodges in the country, painting scenes in lobbies, making mosaics, and sculptures and building reliefs, making outdoor amphitheaters and sidewalks. This is what we need in this district, not a zoning for only rich people.

Raise the Roof of the Town Hall with They Might Be Giants, Nada Surf & Charles Bissell of the Wrens!

Join us for the Raise the Roof Benefit Concert to help fund the Northside Town Hall Community and Cultural Center. NAG and the People's Firehouse need to raise almost $2 million to make the former Engine 212 into a building that will be a new civic engine for the neighborhood by housing a variety of important community services and offer a new community performance venue/meeting space. Help us make the dream a reality and join us...

Wednesday October 28th at the Music Hall of Williamsburg
66 North 6th St, btween Wythe and Kent.
Doors at 8p, show at 9p
Buy tickets now: General Admission $25, VIP Tickets $75

They Might Be Giants
Charles Bissell of the Wrens
Nada Surf (acoustic)

These are local bands that rarely play in the neighborhood, so this is your chance to see them, while helping us kick off our fundraising campaign for the Town Hall.

Tickets are $25 general admission, and there are a limited number of $75 VIP tickets. The VIP tickets allow access to a special seating area and free wine and food from Red Tail Ridge Winery and The Garden.

More information about the show is on the Music Hall of Williamsburg's site.

You can buy tickets:
-Online via Ticketmaster
-At the Music Hall of Williamsburg (Sat 11a-6p) or Mercury Lounge (Mon-Sat 12-7p)
-At Teddy's (96 Berry Street @ North 8th Street)

The show will have special guests, games of skill, art happenings, and other exciting things--get your tickets now!

Want More Bike Racks? Try FixCity!

The NAG Transportation Working Group is pleased to announce that we are the first community partner on FixCity.org Bike Racks, a new website that allows community members to identify locations for new bike racks in the neighborhood!

Developed by the Open Planning Project, the Livable Streets Initiative, and the Transportation Alternatives Brooklyn Committee, the goal of the website is to identify 300 suitable spaces for much-needed bike parking in the neighborhood. Community District 1 serves as the site's pilot project -- if successful, it will go citywide next!

So please check out the site at FixCity.org and use the online mapping tool to tell us where you want a bike rack. Also check out information about how to identify a good space, including a great video made by TOPP. We'll have some fun follow-up events coming up in the next couple months, so stay tuned for more!

To volunteer to help with finding suitable spaces, email me at transportation@nag-brooklyn.org!

Join Us Friday 6pm to Celebrate Local History at Engine 212

Art & History Celebration of Legendary "People's Firehouse"
Williamsburg Art Gallery Open House Night
Friday, October 9th, 6pm

A diverse mix of long-time and new Williamsburg activists and residents will join together at the Engine Company 212 building—the site of the future Northside Town Hall Community & Cultural Center—Friday October 9th for a public event that celebrates the remarkable history of the former "People's Firehouse."

The event will begin at 6pm at the firehouse, located at 134 Wythe Avenue (between North 8th and North 9th Streets next door to Slate Gallery) and will highlight the building's local architecture and history using a series of short multimedia presentations and public art performances.

During the evening the site of the former People's Firehouse will host a presentation of archival research provided by the Pratt Center for Community Development and film footage by local documentary maker Agnes Markeviciute interviewing past and current community activists. This oral history project includes participants during the years of events that have made the building an icon of mass democratic protest throughout the country. Local choreographer Jackie Moynahan will also present a unique, site-specific dance piece accompanied by violist Stephanie Griffin, that is not to be missed!

The former FDNY Engine Co. 212 building is being redeveloped into the Northside Town Hall Community and Cultural Center by two community organizations--Neighbors Allied for Good Growth and the People's Firehouse Inc. Local residents, businesses and artists have joined forces to raise the $1.9 million dollars needed to transform the building into community meeting space, job-training classrooms, exhibition space, and non-profit arts performance and event space.

About The Northside Town Hall: The Northside Town Hall is a non-profit endeavor of two respected local community organizations, The People's Firehouse, Inc. and Neighbors Allied for Good Growth (NAG) for the purpose of building a new community facility in the shuttered former Fire Engine Co. 212. The city awarded the development opportunity to the two organizations. After the needed funds are raised, the non-profit entity will be eligible to own and operate the building as a public resource, forever. Local businesses, such as Brooklyn Brewery and CitiStorage, as well as elected officials, have made generous donations as well as commitment to this beloved community effort. The Pratt Center for Community Development is the project manager. See www.nthccc.org for more information about the project.

About Jackie Moynahan: Jackie Moynahan is a choreographer/performer based in Williamsburg. She co-produces Studio AIR an experimental monthly performance series and has performed her work at various venues in and out of NYC since 2001. Jackie worked for the Williamsburg Art Nexus (WAX) until 2009 in various capacities. With a newly acquired MS in Urban Policy, Ms. Moynahan is now exploring her hand at community development and sits on the board of NAG and the Northside Town Hall. For her older work: www.jaxdance.com

About Agnes Markeviciute: Agnes Markeviciute is an independent documentary filmmaker, originally from Lithuania, using the medium of a documentary to explore herself and her connection to the world. Agnes started as an intern for a public television station in Arlington Va. She has since moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn and is producing and directing short documentaries. Recently, Ms. Markeviciute completed a project about Lithuanian emigrants, which should be released next year.

About Stephanie Griffin: Stephanie Griffin is acclaimed by the New York Times for her "fiery, full-throttle performance" and "virtuoso flair." She performs internationally as a soloist and a chamber musician. Stephanie has worked with a variety of composers, such as Tony Prabowo, Kee Yong Chong; Arthur Kampela; and Tristan Murail. She is a founding member of the Momenta Quartet and is a regular guest with Continuum, and member of Argento, Transfiguration, String Orchestra of New York City (SONYC), the Riverside Symphony and the Princeton Symphony, where she serves as principal violist. An active improviser, she has worked with traditional Indonesian musicians and free jazz legend Butch Morris and performs regularly with Carl Maguire’s avant-jazz band Floriculture.

McCarren Greenmarket is Moving Across the Park

The McCarren Park Greenmarket is moving to the part of the park near the dog run and compost project.

Due to reseeding in the northwest corner of McCarren Park, our neighborhood Greenmarket will be permanently relocating.

Starting October 17th visit our new location:

Union Ave. between N. 12th St. and Driggs Ave.

Still located in McCarren Park, nestled under the trees between the dog run and track, you will find the same great farmers and same great food. This market will continue to run every Saturday, 8am-4pm, year-round, with a mouth watering selection local fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meat and poultry, wild-caught fish, fresh cut flowers, honey, baked goods, artisanal cheese, dairy and more!

October 17th Grand Re-Opening

Join us at the inauguration our new location as we celebrate our dedicated farmers and loyal customers with lively music, seasonal food, hourly raffles, and fun family activities. Bring a friend and tell your neighbors!

NAG Newsletter: Benefit Concert, Reduce Truck Traffic, and More!

North Brooklyn Story Project
Wed, Oct 7th at 7pm
Do you have a story to tell about life in Williamsburg or Greenpoint? A memory, a snapshot of life here today, an interesting interaction with community members? Do you know a neighbor or shopkeeper or friend with a story to tell? If so, you are invited to become part of the North Brooklyn Story Project.
Email Gregor at g.nemitzziadie@gmail.com for location information

Second Fridays @ Engine 212: History, Art & Dance
Fri, Oct 9th 6-7:30pm
A diverse mix of long-time and new Williamsburg activists and residents will join together at the Engine Company 212 building--the site of the future Northside Town Hall Community & Cultural Center--for a public event that celebrates the remarkable history of the former "People's Firehouse." The event will highlight the building's local architecture and history using a series of short multimedia presentations and public art performances, including film footage by local documentary maker Agnes Markeviciute interviewing past and current community activists and a unique, site-specific dance piece choreographed by Jackie Moynahan and accompanied by violist Stephanie Griffin.
At Engine 212 Building, 134 Wythe Ave between North 8th & 9th Streets

Affordable Housing Committee
Tue Oct 20, 7:30pm
The affordable housing group is putting together an illustrated guide to tenant's rights. We'll be starting the creative writing and editing process in an informal collective forum. The first issue we'll tackle is "Rent Regulation vs. Rent Stabilization vs. Rent Control." Ideas for how to convey this idea in a narrative format will be discussed, so please come with some creative writing ideas!!
At the New NAG office 110 Kent Ave, 2nd Floor

Benefit Concert to "Raise the Roof" on the Town Hall
Wed Oct 28, Doors 8p, Show 9p
Benefit Concert to Raise the Roof on the Town Hall, including They Might Be Giants, Nada Surf (acoustic) and Charles Bissell (Wrens).
18+ $25 advance / $25 day of show / $75 VIP ticket includes special seating, hors d'ouvres and wine from Red Tail Ridge Winery.
Tickets available through Music Hall of Williamsburg site.
Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 North 6th Street

Other Community Events & Opportunities

Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park: Wed Oct 7, 7p
Come hear about the fight against the power plant and see architectural plans for the first phase of the park
Offices of Pure Kitchen: 66 North 11th b/t Wythe & Kent

Brooklyn Makes: Fri Oct 9 & Sat Oct 10, 7:30-10p
Brooklyn Makes is a video installation in the Williamsburg Greenpoint Industrial Zone, revealing the work of manufacturers in North Brooklyn today.
More information at www.sarahnelsonwright.com

Pulaski Bike/Pedestrian Coalition: Tue Oct 27
Join your neighbors in creating a coalition to advocate for a safer passageway for pedestrians and bicyclists on the Pulaski Bridge. Please join us in planning our work over the next several months, which we expect to include design charettes to create a safer bridge for all.
For more information, including location information, email Julie at jlawrence64@yahoo.com

Help OUTRAGE Reduce Truck Traffic
Organizations United for Trash Reduction And Garbage Equity (O.U.T.R.A.G.E) is conducting a community truck survey to see whether or not recent policy changes have caused a change in truck traffic and if there needs to be more enforcement from the city. They need help on a number of dates between Oct 15 and Nov 4.
Contact Betamia Coronel from OUTRAGE at bcoronel@stnicksnpc.com to get involved.