Community Board 2 Holds October General Meeting

It was mostly business as usual at Community Board 2.

Last night's general meeting at NYU Polytechnic's Pfizer Auditorium at 3 MetroTech in Downtown Brooklyn offered few, if any, fireworks. It did however allow board members to give its final assent to what has been the first of a slew of city and state-owned properties to be put on the selling block of late.

The board voted overwhelming to approve the of a portion of the Municipal Building at 210 Joralemon St. to a development company, United American Land, controlled by Downtown Brooklyn real estate magnate Al Laboz.

A few details on the transaction came to light during the vote, including specifics regarding the part of the building to be sold under the agreement. Laboz will take control of a portion of the 1st and 2nd floors of the city-owned edifice, along with space in the basement, for a total of 39,000 square feet.

The space will most likely house a large retailer and an upscale restaurant. Since the building is a part of the new Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District, most changes to the facade will have to conform to standards set by the city Landmarks Preservation Commission.

The following issues and committee reports were also discussed:

Classon Avenue Traffic Calming Measures

CB2 Transportation Committee member Hemalee Patel gave a report of the city Department of Transportation's from two lanes to one lane where speeding vehicles was a problem. Conversely, the DOT's plan would also increase the drivable width of the thoroughfare from one lane to two lanes where vehicle traffic was highest.

According to CB2 chairman John Dew, the portion of Classon to see widening of the space available to vehicular traffic would be located in Clinton Hill-Bed-Stuy as the thoroughfare approaches the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.

With the Transportation Committee agreeing 10-0 to approve the plan, the full board followed suit.

Streamlining CB2's Speed Bumps Review

Given the fact that few, if any, residents have come forward to challenge speed-bump installations on residential streets, the Transportation Committee asked the full board for permission to allow the District office to approve the traffic slowing measures approved by DOT.

The full board approved the measure; however, some board members expressed concern that residents would be shut out of the speed bump installation process.

Dekalb Market Head Speaks

The Economic Development and Job Creation committee made its report on a presentation by Eldon Scott, the president of Urban Space, .

According to committee member Thomas Conoscenti, Scott said the market is looking to expand to 50 retailers in the weeks and months ahead. Currently, there are many first-time businesses opening at the outdoor shopping space in order to test the market.

Scott also told the committee that the market would be closed after the holidays from January to March.

Budget Cuts For CB2 On Tap

District Manager Robert Parris reported that the city asked each community board to participate in the city's Programs to Eliminate the Gap to help close anticipated budget shortfalls. According to Parris, CB2 needed to cut $5,000 from this year's budget and $15,000 the next. "It's going to be tough next year," he said.

Several representatives of local elected officials also spoke at the meeting:

Jim Vogel, Office of State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery

• According to Vogel, Montgomery will call on the city to the an environmental assessment in the wake of the last week that killed one passenger.
• Vogel also announced that a public comment period for regulation covering the controversial practice of hydrofracking in the city's upstate New York watershed would be held at the Borough of Manhattan Community College on Nov. 30.

Michael Czaczkes, Office of Assemblywoman Joan Millman

• According to Czaczkes, the Metropolitan Transit Authority is preparing to issue a Request For Proposals for 370 Jay St., that the transit agency put on the market last month. 

Alfred Chiodo, Office of Councilwoman Letitia James

• Chiodo announced that the tentative date for the next Atlantic Yards District Service Cabinet meeting was scheduled for Nov. 3.
• The 88th Precinct Community Council will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at the Ingersoll Community Center.