This is the sixth of several articles based on discussion at the 1/22/19 Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Quality of Life meeting. The first concerned timing for the B15 tower, with school, and the B4 tower. The second concerned questions about the affordability of future income-restricted housing. The third concerned plans to constrict streets around the B15 tower. The fourth concerned plans for the railyard, demolition, and Times Plaza. The fifth concerned an absurdist dialogue about the definition of construction.
With 24 parking spaces been provided at the 535 Carlton garage for cops working at the 78th Precinct a little more than one long block away at Sixth Avenue and Bergen Street, the "developer is being compliant with the project requirement," said Tobi Jaiyesimi of Empire State Development, the state authority overseeing the project
"Law enforcement," she added somewhat cagily, "of course has autonomy with use of this space."
"If the police got 24 of their cars into spaces provided, it would free up parking for neighborhood people," commented resident Elaine Weinstein. "It would be very helpful if you could push elected officials."
Jaiyesimi said she and colleague Drew Gabriel had had such conversations with local elected officials. "Again, the developer is compliant in supplying the places, NYPD has autonomy."
"Are you saying they’re not using the spaces?" I asked.
"I’m saying the NYPD has full autonomy," she said.
"They're not using them at all," Weinstein clarified up.
"To our understanding," added resident Peter Krashes, "they're going to their legal department and asking for an assessment if it's ethical for them to take the spaces."
More patrols?
"I've been having a conversation with a representative of BCIZA [Barclays Center Impact Zone Alliance], Steve Ettlinger," regarding potentially increasing foot patrols by Traffic Enforcement Agents after 8 pm, during major events at the Barclays Center, Jaiyesimi said.
"ESD is not a party to the CBA," she said. "I believe the process is on the Barclays web site, but I’m not 100% sure." (It's not. But here's the DBNA site.)
"Law enforcement," she added somewhat cagily, "of course has autonomy with use of this space."
"If the police got 24 of their cars into spaces provided, it would free up parking for neighborhood people," commented resident Elaine Weinstein. "It would be very helpful if you could push elected officials."
Jaiyesimi said she and colleague Drew Gabriel had had such conversations with local elected officials. "Again, the developer is compliant in supplying the places, NYPD has autonomy."
"Are you saying they’re not using the spaces?" I asked.
"I’m saying the NYPD has full autonomy," she said.
"They're not using them at all," Weinstein clarified up.
"To our understanding," added resident Peter Krashes, "they're going to their legal department and asking for an assessment if it's ethical for them to take the spaces."
More patrols?
"I've been having a conversation with a representative of BCIZA [Barclays Center Impact Zone Alliance], Steve Ettlinger," regarding potentially increasing foot patrols by Traffic Enforcement Agents after 8 pm, during major events at the Barclays Center, Jaiyesimi said.
"I've had a conversation with the mayor's office with regards to how there could be an increase in resources that would be allocated to improve the amount of foot patrols," she added. This has been a long-standing request, given much illegal parking.
Who distributes tickets?
Though an arena representative couldn't attend, Jaiyesimi said, in response to a question, that the arena distributes tickets through the Downtown Brooklyn Neighborhood Alliance (DBNA) as part of the requirement of the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA).
Though an arena representative couldn't attend, Jaiyesimi said, in response to a question, that the arena distributes tickets through the Downtown Brooklyn Neighborhood Alliance (DBNA) as part of the requirement of the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA).
"I believe that any other tickets that might be distributed are done via the Nets or the players or other Nets charitable efforts," she said.
"ESD is not a party to the CBA," she said. "I believe the process is on the Barclays web site, but I’m not 100% sure." (It's not. But here's the DBNA site.)
"Just so I'm clear," Krashes said, "you said Barclays Center only distributes tickets through the DBNA."
Jaiyesimi again noted that Nets players may distribute tickets, but said it was her understanding that the DBNA is used to meet the CBA requirements.
(Those both may be true, but I wouldn't rule out other ways for the arena to distribute tickets.)
Neighborhood support team?
So, what happened to an application by Community Board 2 to establish a “neighborhood support team,” as part of a city initiative to address quality of life issues within confined geographical areas.
Jaiyesimi again noted that Nets players may distribute tickets, but said it was her understanding that the DBNA is used to meet the CBA requirements.
(Those both may be true, but I wouldn't rule out other ways for the arena to distribute tickets.)
Neighborhood support team?
So, what happened to an application by Community Board 2 to establish a “neighborhood support team,” as part of a city initiative to address quality of life issues within confined geographical areas.
"It's my understanding," said Jaiyesimi, "I’m not a representative of the mayor’s office," but "the effort is complete."
She said she believed the final report was sent to Community Board 2 staff and also to local elected officials, and, without citing the actual contents, recommended outreach to a city employee (with no contact information) to learn more.
Well, the report is online, and states:
One of the applications for the program relating to the Atlantic Yards development project already had Quality of Life meetings for issues related to the development. CAU [Community Affairs Unit] will work to further engage city agencies through this existing process.On other words, no justification for such a new structure, given the regular public meetings. If so, the CAU hasn't done all too much, since fewer agencies attend these meetings than in previous years.
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