Plan Goes Forward To Turn Brigham Street Lot into Park
By Joe Filippazzo
Special to Brooklyn Daily Eagle
SHEEPSHEAD BAY — Efforts to turn the embattled Brigham Street lot in Sheepshead Bay into a green space began to bear fruit last week as the district’s first community-born park project got a crucial boost.

New Yorkers for Parks named the two-acre plot — the only remaining undeveloped land on Sheepshead Bay’s north shore — its Community Design Program project for 2008. In the coming months, the parks advocacy group will meet with community activists to survey the space, develop a fundraising plan and complete the conceptual design.

While city Councilman Lew Fidler, D-Canarsie/Mill Basin/Flatlands/Sheepshead Bay, contends at least part of the lot should be used for a restaurant, a coalition of community groups is insisting on a stand-alone park.

“It’s a really exciting time and we’re going to take this opportunity to reach out to everyone,� said Gene Berardalli of the Sheepshead Bay/Plumb Beach Civic Association who authored the proposal. Other groups involved in the project include the 3235 Emmons Ave. Co-Op Board, the Bay Improvement Group and Community Board 15.

Pamela Governale, the design program manager from New Yorkers for Parks, said the Brigham Street Park project was selected from among 10 proposals citywide. She cited the project’s support and the need for more park space in the neighborhood. “I really think they’ll end up with a park they can enjoy and be proud of,� she said.

But Fidler called the park plans a pipe dream without a restaurant or other commercial venture to generate funding. He explained that in a great year, the community district’s entire capital budget for parks might be $4 million — but even a “bare bones� design with grass, benches and drainage would run $3 million.

Still, Fidler said he would be happy to write a letter of support to the mayor to request funding. “No one’s against a park, but I have to operate in the reality of the Parks Department budget,� he said. Some park advocates said the funding wouldn’t be difficult to obtain since they already have some pledges of financial support, though they declined to give details.

Community Board 15 chairwoman Theresa Scavo, who calls the project the board’s No. 1 budget priority, cautioned that park designs must be finished before the board can start seeking city, state and federal money.

Developers have long eyed the Brigham Street space. One plan called for making the property a parking lot with shuttle service to Coney Island, while the owners of nearby Rasputin proposed a 300-seat restaurant and nightclub. Both plans sparked community opposition.

“If we lose, the whole area loses,� said Ben Marcus, president of the Emmons Avenue Co-Op. He said he would rather have a vacant lot than a noisy nightclub.

Like most Brigham Street Park advocates, Marcus is increasingly optimistic as high-profile supporters like New Yorkers for Parks, state Senator Marty Golden, real estate magnate Richard LeFrak and other community business owners begin to get involved. “I think we’ll get the park,� said Marcus, “with or without Fidler.�

Scavo wasn’t so sure, though. “Without Fidler’s help I am not sure we will move ahead so quickly,� she said. CAPTION Councilman Lew Fidler, D-Canarsie, is a supporter of Brigham Street Park, but believes that a restaurant or other commercial venture should be included to generate funding.

© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2007
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