BY MATTHEW LYSIAK
DAILY NEWS WRITER
Wednesday, January 16th 2008, 4:00 AM
Congregants of a 108-year-old Bay Ridge church are asking the public to help tear it down - literally.
The clock is now ticking on the landmarked Bay Ridge United Methodist Church, which is slated to be razed and replaced with a smaller church and a big apartment building in the next four months, church officials said.
"We should have the church demolished by May," said the Rev. Robert Emerick."We are going to take this crumbling building, which has become a financial albatross, and use the resources to continue our mission to work for God."
For residents looking to preserve a piece of the Green Church, the Rev. has a message: Step right up and grab a hunk.
"Everyone is welcome to come here and pull a chunk of rock off the church to save as a memento," said Emerick. "Come over and take as much as you want. The stones are literally crumbling right off."
The pending demolition comes despite a push by area preservationists to save the beloved structure, pitting them against church congregants.
"No one in this community wants to see this church demolished, except the congregants," said Bay Ridge preservationist Victoria Hofmo. "Another piece of our past is going to be demolished, and when it happens this community is going to be absolutely devastated."
The apartment building will include at least 50 units, said Abeco Management Corp. developer Abe Betesh.
"We are not going to build $900,000 luxury condos," said Betesh, who is in contract to buy the property and expects the building to be completed within two years of the demolition. "These will be affordable...with a lot of recreation room."
The old, 650-seat church may be coming down, but the new 150-seat "green church" will at least be preserving the trademark nickname it earned for its distinct green limestone facade.
"We are going to do everything in our power to reduce our dependency on oil in our new church," said Emerick. "This church will be truly green."
Church officials aren't releasing the amount of the sale, but did say it was under the $12 million asking price.
The money will be put into a trust with the accrued interest going towards charity organizations committed to helping the needy, said Emerick, who is expecting the sale to be approved this week. New York requires court approval for the sale of nonprofit properties.
Showing posts with label gentile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gentile. Show all posts
Friday, January 18, 2008
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Bay Ridge hospital wins death reprieve
BY MATTHEW LYSIAK
DAILY NEWS WRITER
Friday, December 14th 2007, 4:00 AM
A Bay Ridge hospital on the critical list will live another day, under state orders.
Victory Memorial Hospital is being forced to keep its emergency room open past a planned Feb. 1 closure date.
"We are waiting for them to resubmit a plan that assures us that there will be a safe transition," said Jim Clyne, state Health Department deputy commissioner.
A state report has indicated that while Victory must close by next June, a plan for an urgent care center must first be in place.
"It will stay open for now, but its future is still uncertain," said Victory President and CEO Dr. Vincent Calamia. "Everyone's priority is to deal with this situation in a safe and orderly manner."
The decision comes after the state rejected plans for Downstate Medical Center to take over emergency care services at Victory, which already has dismantled its birthing center.
Victory was one of nine hospitals around the state - five in the city - that the Berger Commission said should be closed. But neighborhood health advocates point out the hospital's emergency room is at 104% capacity.
The 254-bed hospital declared bankruptcy in November amid scrutiny of its compensation practices, which included $1.1 million in severance for departing CEO Donald DiCunto, and settled on the Feb. 1 closure date to satisfy the Chapter 11 filing.
The state indicated that it expects the emergency room to close as scheduled on June 1, much to the chagrin of officials.
"A closure of this emergency room would be devastating for this community, and it would certainly put lives at risk," said Bill Guarinello, acting chairman of Victory's board of trustees.
State Sen. Marty Golden (R-Bay Ridge), Rep. Vito Fossella (R-Bay Ridge) and Councilman Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Ridge) have filed a lawsuit against the Health Department to reverse the decision to close the hospital.
"Based on our efforts ... and the community's outcry, I believe the state had to take another look," said Gentile. "Though this halt doesn't guarantee anything past six months .... my colleagues and I will continue to pursue all possible measures to keep the doors of Victory open."
DAILY NEWS WRITER
Friday, December 14th 2007, 4:00 AM
A Bay Ridge hospital on the critical list will live another day, under state orders.
Victory Memorial Hospital is being forced to keep its emergency room open past a planned Feb. 1 closure date.
"We are waiting for them to resubmit a plan that assures us that there will be a safe transition," said Jim Clyne, state Health Department deputy commissioner.
A state report has indicated that while Victory must close by next June, a plan for an urgent care center must first be in place.
"It will stay open for now, but its future is still uncertain," said Victory President and CEO Dr. Vincent Calamia. "Everyone's priority is to deal with this situation in a safe and orderly manner."
The decision comes after the state rejected plans for Downstate Medical Center to take over emergency care services at Victory, which already has dismantled its birthing center.
Victory was one of nine hospitals around the state - five in the city - that the Berger Commission said should be closed. But neighborhood health advocates point out the hospital's emergency room is at 104% capacity.
The 254-bed hospital declared bankruptcy in November amid scrutiny of its compensation practices, which included $1.1 million in severance for departing CEO Donald DiCunto, and settled on the Feb. 1 closure date to satisfy the Chapter 11 filing.
The state indicated that it expects the emergency room to close as scheduled on June 1, much to the chagrin of officials.
"A closure of this emergency room would be devastating for this community, and it would certainly put lives at risk," said Bill Guarinello, acting chairman of Victory's board of trustees.
State Sen. Marty Golden (R-Bay Ridge), Rep. Vito Fossella (R-Bay Ridge) and Councilman Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Ridge) have filed a lawsuit against the Health Department to reverse the decision to close the hospital.
"Based on our efforts ... and the community's outcry, I believe the state had to take another look," said Gentile. "Though this halt doesn't guarantee anything past six months .... my colleagues and I will continue to pursue all possible measures to keep the doors of Victory open."
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Amid community unrest, American Place clothing store cleans up its act
BY MATTHEW LYSIAK
SPECIAL TO NEWS
Tuesday, November 20th 2007, 4:00 AM
Now, that's an American Place.
The community spoke, and American Place, a bargain clothing store that opened last month in Bay Ridge and is preparing to set up shop in Bensonhurst, listened.
A week after residents outraged by cartons of cheap clothing on the sidewalk outside the store said "not in my neighborhood," the retailer has changed course and cleaned up its act.
"The outside bins were just a promotion to let everyone know we arrived, but everything is cleaned up now," said American Place owner Raymond Smour. "We like to open with a big bang."
If creating a stir was the goal, mission accomplished. Residents flooded Community Board 10 with complaints after American Place Bay Ridge's Oct. 16 opening, saying that large cardboard cartons with clothing, bedding and footwear overflowed onto the store's sidewalk.
Smour said he was shocked by the uproar, especially since when he had opened his other five stores in the city, there weren't complaints, only consumers flocking to his 99-cent shirts and heavily discounted merchandise.
"I've never gotten a reaction like this before, but now that I know, I have made some changes."
But the timing is far from coincidental. The merchant's concession comes ahead of another anxiety-riddled American Place opening, this one on the site of what had been an 86th St. catering institution, the Oriental Manor.
To fend off problems at the Bensonhurst store, Councilman Vince Gentile (D-Bay Ridge) intervened to let Smour know that South Brooklyn residents don't appreciate a mess.
"They have already taken all their clothing inside, painted the walls and promised to continue to keep everything orderly," Gentile said after meeting with Smour. "They just needed to be brought in line with our community's expectations."
The victory was long and grueling, especially for residents hoping the Bay Ridge spot would become a grocery.
The store, at Senator St. and Fourth Ave., originally was rumored to become a Waldbaum's after a Duane Reade pharmacy closed in August, but when the store's doors reopened, shoppers were instead greeted by the large cardboard bins that quickly became the talk of the town.
But now that American Place is taking its business inside, at least one resident, who called the new store an "abomination" is warming up to the new retailer, albeit with some reservations.
"That's beautiful news, I'm so glad they finally got all that stuff off the sidewalk," said Diane Hunt, 62, who lives down the street. "But I'm still not sure what made them think that was an acceptable way to sell merchandise in Bay Ridge."
SPECIAL TO NEWS
Tuesday, November 20th 2007, 4:00 AM
Now, that's an American Place.
The community spoke, and American Place, a bargain clothing store that opened last month in Bay Ridge and is preparing to set up shop in Bensonhurst, listened.
A week after residents outraged by cartons of cheap clothing on the sidewalk outside the store said "not in my neighborhood," the retailer has changed course and cleaned up its act.
"The outside bins were just a promotion to let everyone know we arrived, but everything is cleaned up now," said American Place owner Raymond Smour. "We like to open with a big bang."
If creating a stir was the goal, mission accomplished. Residents flooded Community Board 10 with complaints after American Place Bay Ridge's Oct. 16 opening, saying that large cardboard cartons with clothing, bedding and footwear overflowed onto the store's sidewalk.
Smour said he was shocked by the uproar, especially since when he had opened his other five stores in the city, there weren't complaints, only consumers flocking to his 99-cent shirts and heavily discounted merchandise.
"I've never gotten a reaction like this before, but now that I know, I have made some changes."
But the timing is far from coincidental. The merchant's concession comes ahead of another anxiety-riddled American Place opening, this one on the site of what had been an 86th St. catering institution, the Oriental Manor.
To fend off problems at the Bensonhurst store, Councilman Vince Gentile (D-Bay Ridge) intervened to let Smour know that South Brooklyn residents don't appreciate a mess.
"They have already taken all their clothing inside, painted the walls and promised to continue to keep everything orderly," Gentile said after meeting with Smour. "They just needed to be brought in line with our community's expectations."
The victory was long and grueling, especially for residents hoping the Bay Ridge spot would become a grocery.
The store, at Senator St. and Fourth Ave., originally was rumored to become a Waldbaum's after a Duane Reade pharmacy closed in August, but when the store's doors reopened, shoppers were instead greeted by the large cardboard bins that quickly became the talk of the town.
But now that American Place is taking its business inside, at least one resident, who called the new store an "abomination" is warming up to the new retailer, albeit with some reservations.
"That's beautiful news, I'm so glad they finally got all that stuff off the sidewalk," said Diane Hunt, 62, who lives down the street. "But I'm still not sure what made them think that was an acceptable way to sell merchandise in Bay Ridge."
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Capsule unearthed 46 years early
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
So this is the future? Well, not exactly.
When a group of civic-minded history buffs buried a time capsule on Dec. 11, 2003 to be opened 50 years in the future, few realized they would all live to see the day it was unearthed.
But it was. This week. Forty-six years early.
That was the unlikely scene on Monday at the Fort Hamilton Harbor Defense Museum, where the Bay Ridge Sesquicentennial Committee gathered with local pols behind a crusty tin box they buried only four years ago to commemorate its new, albeit temporary, home.
“The fact that this happened is aggravating and absurd,” said Committee Co-Chairman Ted General. “But we are really making the best out of a bad situation.”
The “situation” is this: the capsule’s original burial site, the front lawn of the Bay Ridge Funeral Home, at 7614 Fourth Ave., was disturbed last month by developers who are tearing it down to make room for condos. Fortunately, Fort Hamilton stepped to the plate and volunteered to store the capsule until it finds a long-term home.
“I know this has been a topsy-turvy experience,” said Councilman Vince Gentile (D-Bay Ridge). “But today is a reassurance that the capsule will live to see the day when a new generation can discover its past.”
The original idea was to preserve a piece of the past as a way of commemorating Bay Ridge’s 150-year anniversary. The group collected newspapers, pictures, photo books, menus, and just about everything to help future generations understand what life was like in the year 2003.
Next, the group chose a burial site. A crystal ball (or, more accurately, a real-estate insider) would have come in handy.
Committee Co-Chairman Peter Killen, who is already in the process of scouting out new spots, learned his lesson: “Next time, it won’t be buried on private property. We will find a public place where they won’t be building condos.”
The Brooklyn Paper
So this is the future? Well, not exactly.
When a group of civic-minded history buffs buried a time capsule on Dec. 11, 2003 to be opened 50 years in the future, few realized they would all live to see the day it was unearthed.
But it was. This week. Forty-six years early.
That was the unlikely scene on Monday at the Fort Hamilton Harbor Defense Museum, where the Bay Ridge Sesquicentennial Committee gathered with local pols behind a crusty tin box they buried only four years ago to commemorate its new, albeit temporary, home.
“The fact that this happened is aggravating and absurd,” said Committee Co-Chairman Ted General. “But we are really making the best out of a bad situation.”
The “situation” is this: the capsule’s original burial site, the front lawn of the Bay Ridge Funeral Home, at 7614 Fourth Ave., was disturbed last month by developers who are tearing it down to make room for condos. Fortunately, Fort Hamilton stepped to the plate and volunteered to store the capsule until it finds a long-term home.
“I know this has been a topsy-turvy experience,” said Councilman Vince Gentile (D-Bay Ridge). “But today is a reassurance that the capsule will live to see the day when a new generation can discover its past.”
The original idea was to preserve a piece of the past as a way of commemorating Bay Ridge’s 150-year anniversary. The group collected newspapers, pictures, photo books, menus, and just about everything to help future generations understand what life was like in the year 2003.
Next, the group chose a burial site. A crystal ball (or, more accurately, a real-estate insider) would have come in handy.
Committee Co-Chairman Peter Killen, who is already in the process of scouting out new spots, learned his lesson: “Next time, it won’t be buried on private property. We will find a public place where they won’t be building condos.”
Friday, September 7, 2007
Last call for Club Shadows?
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
This may be the last dance for Club Shadows.
On Aug. 22, the embattled Fourth Avenue nightclub’s plea offer was rejected by the State Liquor Authority, which came back with an offer of its own — give up your liquor license or go to trial.
Shadows had offered the authority $10,000 and a 15-day suspension of its liquor license to settle charges dating back to Nov. 30, 2006— which included a serious count of not having a proper liquor license.
But “the plea offer was not enough to satisfy the board,” said Liquor Authority spokesman Bill Crowley.
The latest setback for the controversial club comes after two brawls — one on June 5 and another on Aug. 10, cops said — and both incidents hurt the bar’s chance of retaining its liquor license.
“Obviously, there are serious questions about whether Shadows can responsibly hold this license,” Crowley said. “Anytime the police have to be called and there is violence, the board takes it very seriously.”
The latest charges — stemming from the violent incidents — are separate matters, which mean two more trials, Crowley said.
Club Shadows, which is between 90th and 91st streets, got on the community radar screen last November, when a sign featuring the silhouette of a curvy woman was installed. The sign also promised “exotic dancers” at the Nov. 30 opening.
The strippers never materialized. In fact, inside Club Shadows, there isn’t a hint of the controversy that local officials feared. When a Brooklyn Paper reporter visited this week, he found a club scene not too different than others in New York.
The lighting was dark and the drinks pricey, but the business was clean and the crowd of twentysomethings were well-controlled by two large security guards who made their presence obvious.
Aside from people smoking in the bathroom (a common club nuisance), there were no noticeable problems — and no naked woman.
That’s a far cry from what local officials expected when Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge) brought SLA inspectors to the Club Shadows opening, and the agency hit the establishment with the four original violations.
Shadows lawyer William Spanakos could not be reached for comment.
The Brooklyn Paper
This may be the last dance for Club Shadows.
On Aug. 22, the embattled Fourth Avenue nightclub’s plea offer was rejected by the State Liquor Authority, which came back with an offer of its own — give up your liquor license or go to trial.
Shadows had offered the authority $10,000 and a 15-day suspension of its liquor license to settle charges dating back to Nov. 30, 2006— which included a serious count of not having a proper liquor license.
But “the plea offer was not enough to satisfy the board,” said Liquor Authority spokesman Bill Crowley.
The latest setback for the controversial club comes after two brawls — one on June 5 and another on Aug. 10, cops said — and both incidents hurt the bar’s chance of retaining its liquor license.
“Obviously, there are serious questions about whether Shadows can responsibly hold this license,” Crowley said. “Anytime the police have to be called and there is violence, the board takes it very seriously.”
The latest charges — stemming from the violent incidents — are separate matters, which mean two more trials, Crowley said.
Club Shadows, which is between 90th and 91st streets, got on the community radar screen last November, when a sign featuring the silhouette of a curvy woman was installed. The sign also promised “exotic dancers” at the Nov. 30 opening.
The strippers never materialized. In fact, inside Club Shadows, there isn’t a hint of the controversy that local officials feared. When a Brooklyn Paper reporter visited this week, he found a club scene not too different than others in New York.
The lighting was dark and the drinks pricey, but the business was clean and the crowd of twentysomethings were well-controlled by two large security guards who made their presence obvious.
Aside from people smoking in the bathroom (a common club nuisance), there were no noticeable problems — and no naked woman.
That’s a far cry from what local officials expected when Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge) brought SLA inspectors to the Club Shadows opening, and the agency hit the establishment with the four original violations.
Shadows lawyer William Spanakos could not be reached for comment.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Stabbing haunts Club Shadows
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
A man was stabbed outside of Club Shadows, the embattled Fourth Avenue nightclub, on Aug. 10, police said.
The victim told cops that he was standing alone when two unfamiliar men approached him at 3 am. At some point, an argument began and one of the men pulled a knife and stabbed the 24-year-old in the chest.
The thugs fled, and the wounded club-hopper was treated and released at Maimonides Medical Center in nearby Borough Park.
The violent incident at the doorstep of the controversial club comes after a June 5 fight at the establishment — and both incidents could damage the bar’s chance of retaining its liquor license amid ongoing negotiations with the State Liquor Authority over other charges.
“Any time the police have to be called and there is violence, the board takes it very seriously,” said Bill Crowley, a spokesman for the State Liquor Authority. “A business with a liquor license is expected to maintain control over its property.”
The June 5 fight occurred as Shadows owners were trying to settle earlier SLA charges — including a serious count of not having a proper liquor license.
The latest charges — stemming from the violent incidents — are separate matters, which mean two more trials, Crowley said.
Club Shadows, which is between 90th and 91st streets, got on the community radar screen last November, when a sign featuring the silhouette of a curvy woman was installed. The sign also promised “exotic dancers” at the Nov. 30 opening.
The strippers never materialized, but the troubles were only beginning.
Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge) brought SLA inspectors to the opening, and the agency hit Club Shadows with the four original violations.
Shadows lawyer William Spanakos could not be reached for comment.
©2007 The Brooklyn Paper
The Brooklyn Paper
A man was stabbed outside of Club Shadows, the embattled Fourth Avenue nightclub, on Aug. 10, police said.
The victim told cops that he was standing alone when two unfamiliar men approached him at 3 am. At some point, an argument began and one of the men pulled a knife and stabbed the 24-year-old in the chest.
The thugs fled, and the wounded club-hopper was treated and released at Maimonides Medical Center in nearby Borough Park.
The violent incident at the doorstep of the controversial club comes after a June 5 fight at the establishment — and both incidents could damage the bar’s chance of retaining its liquor license amid ongoing negotiations with the State Liquor Authority over other charges.
“Any time the police have to be called and there is violence, the board takes it very seriously,” said Bill Crowley, a spokesman for the State Liquor Authority. “A business with a liquor license is expected to maintain control over its property.”
The June 5 fight occurred as Shadows owners were trying to settle earlier SLA charges — including a serious count of not having a proper liquor license.
The latest charges — stemming from the violent incidents — are separate matters, which mean two more trials, Crowley said.
Club Shadows, which is between 90th and 91st streets, got on the community radar screen last November, when a sign featuring the silhouette of a curvy woman was installed. The sign also promised “exotic dancers” at the Nov. 30 opening.
The strippers never materialized, but the troubles were only beginning.
Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge) brought SLA inspectors to the opening, and the agency hit Club Shadows with the four original violations.
Shadows lawyer William Spanakos could not be reached for comment.
©2007 The Brooklyn Paper
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Pol: Bloomy’s plan is not ‘ferry’ good
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
Commuters in Bay Ridge who want a 12-minute water taxi ride into Manhattan have been left at the dock — and they have Mayor Bloomberg to blame, a local pol charged this week.
Just hours after the mayor gave his much-lauded “Greener, Greater New York” speech on Sunday, Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge) fired back saying that the Bloomberg administration is ignoring a very simple, low-pollution mass transit alternative for Bay Ridge.
“The Mayor proposed an ambitious plan on Earth Day, but for some incomprehensible reason, did not act on a plan that would ease the notoriously traffic and lead to cleaner air across Brooklyn,” said Gentile.
Earlier this year, Gentile and Councilman David Yassky (D–Brooklyn Heights) secured $500,000 to transform the 69th Street pier into a ferry-ready dock. But the Department of Transportation has not spent the money to do the job — and that makes the green-minded Gentile see red.
“The Transportation Commissioner made it very clear to us that they are not interested in the ferry service [from Bay Ridge],” said Gentile.
Even a Republican joined the Democratic councilman’s call for more ferry service.
“Ferry service from 69th street would help improve the daily commute for countless local residents,” said Rep. Vito Fossella (R–Bay Ridge). It’s not as if Bay Ridge lacks a ferry tradition. Before the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge opened in 1964, passengers regularly cruised to Staten Island. Many believed that the bridge obviated the need for new service — but now residents are reconsidering.
“It would absolutely be a nice thing for this community,” said local activist Peter Killen. “People are always looking for alternative routes of transportation.”
Killen was involved in the last attempted resurrection of the pier in 2000, but says he was also shot down by the DOT.
New York Water Taxi, the company that operates “taxi” boats all over the city, is warm to the idea of running boats out of the Bay Ridge.
“We would certainly consider the possibility,” said company rep Robert Pandolfo. “It isn’t too complicated. All the terminal would need is a bumper system and a ramp built into the dock.”
The DOT did not return several requests for a comment, leaving others to wonder if the mayor green rhetoric was just Earth Day hot air.
“The opportunities have been there, and the city has steadfastly refused to take them,” Gentile fumed.
The Brooklyn Paper
Commuters in Bay Ridge who want a 12-minute water taxi ride into Manhattan have been left at the dock — and they have Mayor Bloomberg to blame, a local pol charged this week.
Just hours after the mayor gave his much-lauded “Greener, Greater New York” speech on Sunday, Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge) fired back saying that the Bloomberg administration is ignoring a very simple, low-pollution mass transit alternative for Bay Ridge.
“The Mayor proposed an ambitious plan on Earth Day, but for some incomprehensible reason, did not act on a plan that would ease the notoriously traffic and lead to cleaner air across Brooklyn,” said Gentile.
Earlier this year, Gentile and Councilman David Yassky (D–Brooklyn Heights) secured $500,000 to transform the 69th Street pier into a ferry-ready dock. But the Department of Transportation has not spent the money to do the job — and that makes the green-minded Gentile see red.
“The Transportation Commissioner made it very clear to us that they are not interested in the ferry service [from Bay Ridge],” said Gentile.
Even a Republican joined the Democratic councilman’s call for more ferry service.
“Ferry service from 69th street would help improve the daily commute for countless local residents,” said Rep. Vito Fossella (R–Bay Ridge). It’s not as if Bay Ridge lacks a ferry tradition. Before the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge opened in 1964, passengers regularly cruised to Staten Island. Many believed that the bridge obviated the need for new service — but now residents are reconsidering.
“It would absolutely be a nice thing for this community,” said local activist Peter Killen. “People are always looking for alternative routes of transportation.”
Killen was involved in the last attempted resurrection of the pier in 2000, but says he was also shot down by the DOT.
New York Water Taxi, the company that operates “taxi” boats all over the city, is warm to the idea of running boats out of the Bay Ridge.
“We would certainly consider the possibility,” said company rep Robert Pandolfo. “It isn’t too complicated. All the terminal would need is a bumper system and a ramp built into the dock.”
The DOT did not return several requests for a comment, leaving others to wonder if the mayor green rhetoric was just Earth Day hot air.
“The opportunities have been there, and the city has steadfastly refused to take them,” Gentile fumed.
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