Brooklyn Borough President

BP Markowitz Welcomes Governor Pataki to Borough Hall

Productive meeting will hopefully lead to more State help for Brooklyn

Borough President Marty Markowitz met with Governor George Pataki on Thursday about a number of pressing issues for Brooklynites.

"I want to thank Governor Pataki for coming to Borough Hall. I’m glad I had the opportunity to talk to the Governor about many important projects that are vital to the 2.5 million people in Brooklyn," said the Borough President. "I want to deliver for the Borough and getting a face to face meeting with the Governor is a part of that process. I expect this to be a very productive relationship."

Key Points of Discussion:

The Borough President asked the Governor for help in lowering auto insurance rates in Brooklyn.

The Borough President believes that all 5 Borough Presidents should have a seat on the MTA Board.

The Borough President also stressed that the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance sin Brooklyn. He believes it shouldn’t be relocated to Manhattan from Pierrepont Plaza. The Borough would lose 200 jobs if moved.

Other Key Projects in Brooklyn needing State assistance:

BAM LDC Cultural Center

Brighton Beach Amphitheater at Asser Levy Park

Park Slope Armory Renovation

Brownsville Recreation Center Reconstruction

Loews Kings Renovation

Programmatic assistance to Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation

Governor George Pataki also announced $520,000 from the State Environmental Protection Funds Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) for three projects in Kings County. These projects will provide future waterfront access for the residents of Gowanus, Williamsburg and Greenpoint.

"By investing in projects to preserve open space, create new recreational opportunities and enhance access to our waterfronts, we are improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers," Governor Pataki said. "These projects in Williamsburg, Gowanus and Greenpoint, along with our partnership to create the new Brooklyn Bridge Park, will provide countless opportunities for families and visitors to enjoy the outdoors right here in Brooklyn."

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said, "I appreciate Governor George Pataki's ongoing commitment to the redevelopment and creation of park land along Brooklyn's waterfront. These three projects will help us achieve our common goal of returning Brooklyn's waterfront to the people. I look forward to working with the Governor and his staff to implement these exciting projects. I also want to commend the residents of Gowanus, Williamsburg and Greenpoint, three of the most active communities in Brooklyn for their tireless efforts in helping to secure the Governor's support."

The Brooklyn Borough President's Office, working in partnership with state and local agencies and the community will identify alternative paths to the river, priority locations, street ends and other sites that can be developed for public access. This will expand on work already developed under previous EPF awards.

The Governor announced $250,000 for the Brooklyn East Riveroute to prepare a concept and implementation plan to provide public access to the Williamsburg and Greenpoint waterfronts.

The Governor also announced $100,000 for Phase Two of the Gowanus

Canal Rediscovery Plan. Under this project, the Brooklyn Borough

President’s Office, working in partnership with the Gowanus Canal Community

Development Corporation, will identify pilot locations for repair of bulkheads and construction of linear walkways, and plan for a pilot habitat restoration along the canal. This project builds on a strategic plan, being prepared through a previous EPF grant, to promote environmental restoration of the canal, increased public access, community revitalization.

In addition, Governor Pataki announced $170,000 for the City of New

York Parks and Recreation Department to prepare a master plan and construction documents for the reuse of the WNYC transmitter site located on the East River in Brooklyn. The City will work in partnership with state agencies and the community to investigate use of the site as a park to help meet the need for open space in Greenpoint.