Held at the Forchelli Conference Center at Brooklyn Law School, the morning kicked off with networking among DBP members and guests, followed by a panel discussion moderated by DBP President Regina Myer featuring Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, Majority Leader Laurie A. Cumbo, and Council Member Stephen T. Levin. The event provided a great opportunity to have an open conversation with our local legislators about their policy initiatives and priorities, issues affecting the neighborhood, and their potential impact on the future of Downtown Brooklyn.
During the course of the wide-ranging and often entertaining discussion, speakers touched upon issues such as: the rapid transformation of Downtown Brooklyn since its 2004 rezoning, and how we can work together to guide intelligent, appropriate development along the Flatbush Avenue “skyscraper district;” the need for the intra-borough connectivity that the BQX proposal would bring; the creation of desperately-needed open space with projects such as the Brooklyn Strand and Washington Square Park; the contentious closing of Rikers Island and resulting changes at the local Brooklyn House of Detention; what can be done to support small businesses; and how city-defining issues such as congestion-pricing, MTA funding, and design-build authority for the BQE rebuild and NYCHA repairs are seemingly at the mercy of the Mayor-Governor dynamic.
Host Nick Allard, president and dean of brooklyn law school, welcomes the audience (left)
As Regina observed, and the morning bore out, Downtown Brooklyn has been extremely fortunate to have had three such leaders who are not only effective and supportive, but actually work well together. The morning generated much illuminating dialogue and paved the way for many discussions to come.