More than 3,000 participants are expected to gather in Foley Square and then walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to Cadman Plaza Park for a Volunteer Festival featuring live music, food, activities for children and youth, plus more than 60 nonprofit organizations from all five boroughs offering volunteer opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages today (Saturday, October 1, 2011).
The Volunteer Festival (at Cadman Plaza 11am-1pm) is open to the public and will feature live music from local bands; a family zone with stilt walkers, face painters, and arts and crafts; sports activities for youth and teens; interactive pavilions to learn about United Way’s work in education, income and health; and a chance to visit with more than 60 local nonprofit groups that are seeking volunteer assistance throughout the year.
[UPDATE: Council Member Levin provided a statement on the proposed relocation of the Brooklyn Borough Property Clerk’s Office to 11 Front Street. Full text below after the jump.]
We’ve heard from a few sources that NYPD is planning to move the Brooklyn Property Clerk’s office, currently at 301 Gold Street, to the former Police Garage under the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo. CB2 was presented with the plan, as well as the DUMBO BID, and Council member Steve Levin has been working to block this move.
Although the move has not been formally announced, measurements have been taken inside the building for the new office. According to a retired officer, “If the office is moved here, it will bring all sorts down here to retrieve their belongings after release from jail.”
One tipster says: “Obviously, residents are concerned about this, and the placement directly across the street from the planned middle school seems especially unwise. The large numbers of tourists who walk around Fulton Ferry and Dumbo would also be potentially at risk.” We’re not sure if this will happen or if there’s a timetable for this move. What do you think? Will this bring some trouble to Dumbo?
From the NYC Department of Transportation: Due to the effects of continuing winter storms on the Brooklyn Bridge roadways, special resurfacing work on the Brooklyn Bridge will continue through Sunday, February 13. Please refer to the brochures (1.5MB PDF) for up-to-date diagrams of all Brooklyn Bridge detour routes for both Brooklyn-bound and Manhattan-bound traffic.
Here’s the notification from DOT: Due to the effects of continuing winter storms on the Brooklyn Bridge approach roadways, the New York City Department of Transportation, Division of Bridges, will begin an emergency resurfacing project in Brooklyn, with Manhattan to follow. The work includes milling of the existing pavement, pothole repair, new asphalt riding surfaces, and new pavement markings. This effort supplements the work currently underway for the rehabilitation of the Brooklyn Bridge ramps and approaches. This work will occur over the upcoming weekend, and will result in overnight and Saturday detours of Manhattan-bound traffic. From Wednesday February 9th until Saturday February 12th, work will resume on the normally Brooklyn-bound portion of the Brooklyn Bridge, in the areas shown in green.
This work will occur from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. overnight on Wednesday and Thursday, and from 12:01 a.m. until roughly 6 p.m. on Saturday. In the event of rain, work will continue on Sunday.
During this work, all Manhattan-bound traffic will be detoured to other crossings (the Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, or the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel (toll facility)). The Brooklyn-bound contraflow operation will be in effect, and all Brooklyn-bound traffic will travel on the north roadway. In two locations on the FDR Drive and the BQE, the closures will begin 30-60 min earlier to allow work crews to set up the contraflow operation. Please see attached brochure (1.5MB PDF) for up-to-date traffic change routes in both directions.
Questions regarding this project may be directed to Sabrina Lau, AICP, the Community Liaison, at 347-647-0876 or brooklynbridgeoutreach@gmail.com. For all NYC non-emergency services, including inquiries regarding NYCDOT construction projects, dial 311. Be prepared to give: your name, borough, the project number (BRC-270 C/P), and a return phone number.
As mentioned in the press, the Brooklyn Bridge is being rehabilitated and repainted (funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). Its ramps and approaches have been rated in poor condition. According to the Brooklyn Heights Association (as reported by the Brooklyn Heigths Blog), overnight closures of all three Manhattan-bound traffic lanes on the Brooklyn Bridge, started on Monday August 23rd.
Most of the construction will occur during overnight hours:
On weekday nights: the closing hours are 11 pm – 6 am
On Saturdays: from midnight to 7 am
On Sundays: from 11 pm to 9 am.
During the daytime, single lane closures may occur in each direciton during off-peak hours. Other notes:
The bridge will reopen to traffic in both directions each morning.
All Manhattan-bound traffic will be detoured to the Manhattan Bridge or other crossings.
All Brooklyn-bound traffic will be maintained, and there will be no closure of the pedestrian/cycling promenade.
The temperature hit 102 degrees today, breaking the old record of 101 set in 1999 in NYC (ref. Gothamist). According to the AccuWeather “RealFeel,” it actually feels like 109. Just think of the above photo from February when you’re outside today. Brrrr… That photo was taken just over 4 months ago.
