Day: November 25, 2024

The New York City Parks Department will soon begin work to overhaul the Bay Ridge Promenade, enhancing lighting, green space, and safety in the area. 

The Parks Department proposed the first two parts of a multi-pronged project called “Destination: Greenways!” to Community Board 10’s Parks Committee on Oct. 23. The committee voted in support of both motions unanimously — one for an overhaul of Leif Ericson Park, and another for work on Shore Parkway, better known as the Bay Ridge or Shore Road Promenade. On Nov. 13, the full board also passed both motions unanimously. 

“I’m very excited for the projects,” said CB10 district manager Josephine Beckmann. “It will truly enhance the shoreline by improving recreational cycling and adding to repairs for areas impacted by potholes.”

The Shore Park overhaul, projected to cost $20.97 million, will expand lawn space between bike and pedestrian lanes and add lighting at all promenade entrances. In areas with overpasses, amenities such as game tables, bike racks, drinking fountains, viewfinders, and seating will be installed. Accessible adult fitness areas and salt-spray-resistant trees will also be added where space allows.

The Fourth Avenue entrance will be updated with ADA-compliant ramps, a new overlook, and a sloped lawn. The project also emphasizes sustainability, with more than double the amount of permeable green space compared to the current layout.

“You know how the promenade is set up — it’s mostly concrete and asphalt with a boundary line between the bike lanes and pedestrian paths that consists of a small tree pit, then a bench, then a tree pit, a bench on repeat,” Parks Committee member Dan Hetteix told board members at the November meeting. “Big chunks of that don’t even have tree pits. The stretch from the pier to 86th Street lacks shade trees entirely right now. The new strategy is to separate the bike and pedestrian paths with a strip of actual grass and trees, not just tree pits.”

The Leif Ericson Park overhaul, projected to cost $9.25 million, will focus primarily on the park’s greenway, which residents have criticized for poor signage and rough pavement conditions. The project will repave the greenway, improve crosswalks, and add new bike racks and benches in areas currently consisting of dirt paths. The section between Fourth Avenue and Narrows Avenue, known as “Keegan’s Path” after Bay Ridge’s 1896 alderman (or City Council member), will be redesigned with new foliage.

While both motions passed unanimously, board members raised concerns about the projects. Some residents highlighted safety issues, calling for measures to prevent children from running across bike lanes from the parking lot. Others requested sanitation guidelines and increased repairs to the existing seawall. Additionally, some advocated for designated fishing zones along the waterway and more amenities for children, prioritizing them over adult fitness areas.

James Morris and Ryan Castro from the Parks Department, who initially brought designs for the two parts of the project to the committee, attended the general meeting and addressed members’ concerns. Morris noted that while the current project wouldn’t address the seawall, the department had planned future developments to help reinforce it. Castro also responded to concerns about insufficient space between bike lanes and traffic.

“We want to prioritize safety more than anything, but we’ll do our best to widen it just a little bit,” Castro said.

The board’s suggestions will be sent to the Parks Department in writing for inclusion in the final designs. The majority of the project’s funding comes from the mayor’s office, with some being allocated by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.

While a specific timeline has not been announced, Beckmann believes construction should face few hurdles, given the level of detail in the original plans.

“It will connect parkland, bicycles, amenities and beautify the area,” she said. “It’ll allow residents to enjoy the shoreline, which is just a jewel for the community.”

Jessica Tisch officially became the 48th police commissioner in NYPD history on Monday, as Mayor Eric Adams swore in the second woman ever to hold the post during a ceremony at One Police Plaza.

Tisch, previously the sanitation commissioner, arrived at police headquarters in Lower Manhattan on Nov. 25 with her children in hand and a round of applause from attendees that included NYPD brass and previous top cops such as Dermot Shea and Raymond Kelly.

The new commissioner does not have uniformed police experience but has served in civilian roles within the NYPD over the years—something Mayor Adams addressed before the ceremony.

“I push back on anyone who believes she had to wear a police uniform to take the Police Department to the next level. She can wear any uniform and accomplish the task,” Adams said.

Tisch placed her hand on her grandmother’s Bible and took the oath as the city’s new top cop. “I solemnly swear that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the position of police commissioner of the city of New York to the very best of my abilities,” Tisch said.

Both cops and sanitation workers filled the audience. Following the ceremony, the new police commissioner pledged to lead the city in a safe return to normalcy.

“My greatest hope is that together, we will return this noble undertaking, this job of high moral purpose, to a time and a place where you want your children, your grandchildren, your nieces, your nephews, to follow in your footsteps and become police officers,” Tisch said. “The police exist to eliminate fear and disorder, your cops, like generations before them, nobly put their lives on the line each and every time they put on that uniform to protect you and your families, and they do a damn good job of it. We will continue to do that most important foundational work to make you safe.”

Fourth new commish in three years

While several of the aforementioned top cops were in attendance to witness the historic moment, several others were noticeably absent.

Tisch’s forebear, Keechant Sewell, resigned from the position in 2023 after reported frustrations with Adams for allegedly micromanaging her and refusing to allow her to make her own calls.

She was then followed by the first Latino top cop, Edward Caban, who only lasted about a year in office after becoming embroiled in a federal investigation and accusations that his twin were using police resources to shake down nightclub owners.

Thomas Donlon then became interim police commissioner before Adams announced last week that Tisch would step into the role.

Bill Bratton, who served as NYPD commissioner during the Giuliani and de Blasio administrations, expressed enthusiasm that Tisch will make a lasting impact during her administration of the NYPD — provided that Mayor Adams gives her the leeway to do so.

“I think she’s going to do a great, if the mayor lets her,” Bratton said, according to ABC Bews. “I think it’s quite important that the mayor make it quite clear what he wants and gets out of the way and lets her do it. I think that was the issue with his previous three commissioners… and that’s why he had three previous commissioners.”

A view of iconic locales across the city through the eyes of Eagle staff editor Jesse Goodman featuring his whimsical illustrations.

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