Sunday, April 22nd, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Pok Pok NY, 127 Columbia Street, Brooklyn

Brooklyn Navy Yard Bicycle Tour on Earth Day!
Saturday, April 22, 2012 / 12:30PM-2:30PM

Pedal along with us on this bicycle tour as we explore the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s transition from being one of the nation’s foremost naval shipbuilding facilities to a national leader for sustainable urban industrial parks. Learn about the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation’s sustainable development efforts including the nation’s first multi-story “green” industrial building, first solar and wind-powered street lamps, NYC’s first building-mounted wind turbines, adaptively reused historic structures, and new green buildings certified by the US Green Buildings Council.

Tickets: $24/person (10% off for BGI members; use discount code “GoBGI”). Advance ticket purchase is required. Must bring your own bicycle and helmet. Go to www.urbanoyster.com or call 347.618.8687 to book public or private tours.

Update: You can now download the full report here: Columbia-Street-Connector-Improvement-Plan_32112 and the one-page summary here: Columbia Connector one page final. We welcome your comments at info@brooklyngreenway.org. Thanks!

Columbia Connector Report-Back Meeting
Monday, March 19, 2012
6:30-8:30 PM
Red Hook Initiative
767 Hicks Street

You can help improve the pedestrian experience between the Red Hook Houses, Columbia Street Esplanade, Red Hook Park and the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway! View image here

This stretch of Columbia Street has low traffic and wide sidewalks. The land uses in the northern three blocks are mostly industrial and commercial and the pedestrian experience there and on the Esplanade could be improved significantly with vegetation and other treatments. The esplanade itself is currently barren, with no vegetation or shade, but it could become a more attractive destination with some trees and landscaping.

Because this is an important junction with the greenway, Brooklyn Greenway Initiative and Regional Plan Association seek the Red Hook community’s input on what improvements would be desirable to make this an attractive route and destination for Red Hook residents.

In April 2011, community members met to develop a plan to improve this part of the Red Hook community. At the March 19, 2012 report-back meeting we will update you on the progress of the plan and how we can work with you to get it implemented.

RSVP to info@brooklyngreenway.org with COLUMBIA CONNECTOR in the subject line.

BGI Columbia Connector workshop flyer

BGI announces the launch of the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative Gallery, a quarterly series of art openings and shows featuring artists that live or work in neighborhoods along the route of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway.

The first show runs from March 25 through June 25, 2012 and features the ceramic arts of Kathryn Robinson-Millen. Kathryn studied ceramics in England and has worked and exhibited both there and in New York where she now lives. Her inspiration comes from observing and drawing natural and man-made forms such as rocks, pebbles, plants, earthworks and stone monoliths. She transfers the strong lines and textures to clay, working with porcelain, white earthenware, stoneware and terra cotta combined with slips, oxides, sgrafitto and glazes. The finished pieces can be functional or purely sculptural, organic and architectural, ranging from bold and graphic to minimal and serene.

30% of proceeds will be donated by the artist to support BGI’s work. All purchasers will also receive a one-year BGI membership. Event sponsor: Waterfront Wines & Spirits at One Brooklyn Bridge Park.

The show’s opening will be Sunday, March 25th from 1:00PM-7:00PM. For more information or to RSVP: art@brooklyngreenway.org.

BGI is located at 153 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, New York, 11231. Directions: F/G to Bergen or Carroll; B61 to Columbia Street. BGI is open Monday through Friday, 10:00AM-5:00PM or by appointment: 718.522.0193.

Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI) is thrilled to announce the opening of our new storefront office space at 153 Columbia Street. To celebrate, we are hosting an Open House on Thursday, March 22nd, 5:00PM-8:00PM.

BGI is grateful to the many local businesses and volunteers who have contributed their time and expertise to help renovate and outfit the office space, and we are especially thankful for capacity-building funding from the Lu Esther T. Mertz Advised Fund of the New York Community Trust and the Brenner Family Foundation. This move would not have been possible without their generous support.

BGI’s new office features reclaimed antique flooring from The Hudson Co., installed by local carpenter Rob McBride with finishing by Red Hook Flooring; reclaimed windows from Alma Viva Restaurant and modern furnishings designed and built by Pickett Furniture. Additional contributors include A-One Locksmiths, Inc.; Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition; Film Biz Recycling & Prop Shop; Franke, Gottsegen, Cox Architects; Beth Kenkel; Ohm Acoustics Corp.; O’Lampia Studio, Inc.; Pro Electric Corp.; Peter Raymond; Vincente Painting and Waterfront Kitchens. In addition, BGI extends our sincere thanks to all of the enthusiastic and tireless volunteers who went above and beyond the call of duty to get our new office space into tip-top shape.

To officially celebrate BGI’s new home and to acknowledge everyone who helped build out and equip the space, the public is invited to our Open House on Thursday, March 22nd, 5:00PM-8:00PM. Thank you to our event sponsors: Waterfront Wines & Spirits at One Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Brewery, Nine Cakes, Denise Fasanello Floral Design, and Fairway Red Hook. Special thanks to The O’Connell Organization for ongoing support.

To RSVP, email your full contact information to info@brooklyngreenway.org. Space is limited, so please RSVP by Monday, March 19th.

A Green and Irish-themed Brooklyn Navy Yard Bicycle Tour on St. Patrick’s Day!
Saturday, March 17, 2012 / 12:30PM-2:30PM

Pedal along with us on this bicycle tour as we explore the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s transition from being one of the nation’s foremost naval shipbuilding facilities to a national leader for sustainable urban industrial parks. Learn about the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation’s sustainable development efforts including the nation’s first multi-story “green” industrial building, first solar and wind-powered street lamps, NYC’s first building-mounted wind turbines, adaptively reused historic structures, and new green buildings certified by the US Green Buildings Council.  This tour on St. Patrick’s Day will include stories related to Irish history at and around the Yard and green manufacturing!

Tickets: $24/person (10% off for BGI members; use discount code “GoBGI”). Advance ticket purchase is required. Must bring your own bicycle and helmet. Go to www.urbanoyster.com or call 347.618.8687 to book public or private tours.