I realized at some point when the password to this site became fuzzy that I had to make a choice: keep going, or bid adieu. Instead, I’m compromising.

For the next several months, the site will have weekly news updates. I’m also working on recruiting a few others to provide the occasional original story. Many, many apologies for email that went unanswered. I really appreciated the notes from people asking where I disappeared to (The answer? Grad school, mostly. Sad tale.). Keep an eye out this week for links, but here is a teaser: the NY Post reports on a recent settlement with the NYPD, City Limits looks at the state of Sunset Park as a Promise Neighborhood and Inhabitat offered a sunny take (along with renderings) of the Sims recycling plant that broke ground on the waterfront.

For those of you who sent notes, I’m going to do my best to write back. Is there a story you think should be covered? Send me a note. I’ll pass it on to the reporters I know out on the beat.

Lisa

*Schools! That word alone is usually enough to rile someone up. In Sunset Park’s crowded classrooms, education is of particular concern. Several of Brooklyn’s biggest names will next week offer parents, politicians and interested parties an opportunity to offer opinions about Brooklyn’s school system. The information is below. I hope to see you there.

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, and Councilmembers Letitia James, Brad Lander and Steve Levin will convene a town hall meeting to discuss the city’s public education system. The event will take place on Wednesday March 3, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in the courtroom at Brooklyn Borough Hall. We hope that you will come out, share your ideas, and help forge a community partnership to build a stronger foundation for parental involvement in our schools.

For more information or to RSVP for this event, please contact Chris Black at the Public Advocate’s Office, 212-669-7200 or cblack@pubadvocate.nyc.gov

*Feelings on Fourth Avenue? The Park Slope Civic Council will sponsor a forum,  “The Future of Fourth Avenue,” on Thursday, March 4, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Park Slope.

The Council has previously voiced concern that Fourth Avenue is marginal to the rest of the neighborhood just north of Sunset Park. Borough President Marty Markowitz in his recent state of the city hoped to change the character of the thoroughfare, and rechristen the wide (and recently deadly road) “Brooklyn Boulevard.”

*Community Board 7 will hold a Public Hearing Monday, March 15 at 6:30 pm at the Board Office on the corner of Fourth Avenue and 43rd Street. It has to do with a city-owned property by the South Brooklyn Army Terminal. I’ll try to find out more. For the moment, see below for more information:

APPLICATION #C100204PPK – In the matter of one city-owned property, generally bounded by 39^th Street (1^st & 2^nd Avenues) and the western portion of 2^nd Avenue, from 37^th to 29^th Streets (Block 622, p/o Lot 1),  in the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT), restricted to parking and accessory use only

*Sunset Park Stills has some beautiful new images up, including some Lunar New Year-themed shots. Take a look!

Sorry of the constant changes to the interface. I’ve been cycling through different formats, trying to figure out what best suits what I’m trying to do–keep you updated on news and provide a straightforward, clean looking site. It’s a work in progress, but I think I’m nearing completion. After more complicated arrangements, I decided the blog format offers a casual approach that can encompass hard news and local stories. I hope to add a few bells and whistles to this simple site template soon.

In the meantime, lots has been going on. In the next few days I’ll make sure to offer updates on recent news, some stories I’ve stumbled upon and some great new(ish) images from around the way.

Got a story? An update? An event? Let me know, and keep in touch.

Best,

Lisa

P.S. It seems with the most recent upgrade, I’ve lost many of my images. I’ll try to backtrack and upload them soon. The site does look a little bare… Got some great neighborhood shots? Send those along too. Don’t forget a date, some context and your name (or alias).

Image of Brooklyn Typology's density map

I love me a map. Stacks of charts, graphs and plans provide the foundation for any city project, and offer those interested in neighborhoods a huge amount of information. Databases and public records can prove goldmines, but visual depictions serve up information in more palatable bites.

Though BestViewinBrooklyn has closed for business, its blogger still keeps an eye on Sunset Park. Last week, I got an email about a map of population density in Brooklyn.

Sunset Park has one of the highest. Census tract 100, blockgroup 2 boasts 159.59 people per acre, making it the eleventh densest area in Brooklyn. Flatbush’s tract 508, blockgroup 4 tops the list at a whopping 333 people per acre. One difference, however, is the number of units per acre. Whereas Flatbush as 108 unit per acre for those 333 people, Sunset Park packs 159 into about 47 units per acre, mostly in the form of two- to four-flat buildings. That means that Sunset Park averages 3.4 people per unit, slightly higher than Flatbush’s 3.08.

Interested? Check out the density data, the map, or other troves of info on the site. The map is part of Fake is the New Real, a collection of maps, art and lists by artists and urban planner Neil Freeman. This particular project, Brooklyn Typology, bring census data to life. And makes it pretty. Take a look–then leave a comment. What did you learn about our fair borough?

Awnings along Fifth Avenue show history, and change.

The character of Sunset Park comes from its buildings, its park, but primarily from its people.  On my walks through the streets, I hear the soft y’s of Caribbean Spanish from Puerto Rico, the rhythm of Mexican slang, the musical highs and lows of Mandarin and Fujianese, all mixed with that ubiquitous Brooklynese. Yet access remains perhaps the biggest challenge to reporting in Sunset Park.

Language and wariness makes covering an immigrant neighborhood dynamic, and sometimes difficult. People all over shy away from press, but particularly so in neighborhoods where many people would prefer to avoid the spotlight. Yet Sunset Park is a neighborhood rich in material. The best stories talk about change, shed light on tensions, injustice, everyday heroism and great characters. They tug at heartstrings, answer questions (or ask them) and compel. I am perpetually running behind–too much material, and too little time.

Sunset Park has also become my lens. I read articles everyday in which the neighborhood garners nary a mentions, but that relate directly to issues here–real estate, industry, economics, immigration, violence, housing. You name it. I aim over the next few months to post more of these. They are simply food for thought, a chance to expand the conversation, and offer those in the neighborhood more information about issues that, I hope, matter to you. In that spirit, the Chron is always open to suggestions and reactions. What works? What doesn’t? What’s missing? These are questions I ask each person I interview. Now I’m asking you.

P.S. One thing I’ve struggled with of late is comment moderation. Thus far the policy has been comments go up, unedited. Period. Stories on Daniel Vargas have sparked a back and forth that have made me question that policy. At the same time, they have raised questions about that murder that my reporting has not. I will continue to let comments go up un-moderated, unless they stray so far from the post topic, or into language so offensive that it no longer serves the readers, the blog, or the community. I’m hoping that won’t happen. However, if it does, there will be some kind of notice–no comment will be pulled without an explanation to both the author and readers.

In the studio with Eric Johnson – Maize – 8-15-08 – Bolts and Washers, originally uploaded by Marshall Astor – Food Pornographer.

Several of you have written in the past to ask if Sunset Park Chronicled had a feed. Now it does.

In fact, you have several options for keeping up with the posts here. Just over to the right you may subscribe to the post and/or comments feed (—->).

For those of you who aren’t on the feed/reader train, you may opt for email updates. There are more tweaks on the horizon. Stay tuned.

Warrior Politics (2008). Used motor oil mixed media on paper

By coincidence, the Sunset Park-themed events this weekend all have a green bent. Given that it is apparently emerging as the “newest, biggest, fastest-changing neighborhood” according to the Brooklyn Eagle, that it is avant garde should be no surprise. You can take or leave the Eagle’s claim, but certainly take the neighborhood up on these free events.

Obama, in Oil: Sunset Park-based Artist David Macaluso Paints the President

Watercolor, acrylic, gouache, India ink–these are the common tools for painters who work on paper. But used motor oil?

Yet that viscous substance is what makes up the strokes and curves of David Macaluso’s portraits of Barak Obama on show at Tillie’s in Fort Greene, where there is reception is this Friday, January 8 from 7-9 pm. The Sunset Park-based artist has painted with motor oil since 2005, and says the material reflects the contemporary moment in this oil producing nation. It also puts to use a material generally considered waste. And his newest portraits have people talking. You can check out videos of Macaluso painting these pieces on his website. The show will be up through February 6. Artist’s reception at Friday, January 8 from 7-9 pm at Tillie’s, 248 DeKalb Ave in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill.

(F)RE-(E)G(AN)IFTING DAY

For those of you who received some unwanted packages this holiday season, the Very Very Free Market is having its re-gifting day this weekend at Trinity Lutheran.. Bring what you hope to part with, and come ready to find unappreciated gems. Your trash, as they say, could be someone else’s treasure.  Saturday January 9 from 1-5 pm, Trinity Lutheran Church at 4th Avenue between 45th and 46th Streets.

MulchFest

And speaking of reduce, reuse, recycle, Saturday and Sunday mark the city’s MulchFest. For those of you who have not yet kicked your Christmas Tree to the curb, grab a friend and bring it down to Sunset Park. Rather than going into trash, it will be mulched and put back into the New York’s parks and green spaces. Just make sure your tree is free of all lights and ornaments. Tree collection takes place at 44th Street and Sixth Avenue entrance to Sunset Park.

Those who want mulch of your very own can bring bags to Prospect Park, where you can have as much as you can carry home.

Información sobre Mulchfest en Español.

Information about Mulchfest in Chinese.

Are there other events the Chron has missed? Send an email to sunsetparkchron@gmail.com/ Hay otros eventos que no hemos notado? Mande un correo a sunsetparkchron@gmail.com.

Plan for the Bush Terminal Pier Park, image from the New York City Economic Development Corporation

I’ve noticed a lot of interest recently in a rather old post on the $10 million dollars allotted for brownfield development along the Sunset Park waterfront. I’m guessing it may have been sparked by the recent announcement that the city may take control of the Brooklyn Bridge Park, as the state does not have the funds to meet the challenge. If you’re curious what this means for the unfinished Bush Terminal Pier Park on Sunset Park’s shore (one piece of a larger Waterfront Vision Plan for the area), so am I.

I’ve done a bit of reporting on this, but it certainly merits further investigation.

It’s on my ever-growning list, but as holidays are coming and government offices becoming unresponsive, let me know what you know. Post a comment, or send a note to sunsetparkchron@wordpress.com. If you have other neighborhood issues or stories you think should also be on my list, let me know that as well.

Here is some background to start us off. I have to admit I’ve been remiss. For months I’ve been meaning to speak with UPROSE about several issues around the neighborhood, and haven’t yet had the chance:

UPROSE (United Puerto Rican Organization of Sunset Park, which now extends beyond just the Puerto Rican Community)  has partnered with city agencies as “local stakeholders” to create the Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program, which works with the community to plan redevelopment projects in these areas.

The Park looks to need about $1 million beyond the funds currently allotted in order to clean it up properly, said Jeremy Laufer, manager of CB7. He was confident that the community could raise the money, but in September could not yet put a time-table on the project.

“I think we can accommodate one or two million dollars,” said Representative Felix Ortiz, assemblyman for District 51. “I have to make my case. I think that that’s not too far from reality. I think we might be able to accomplish that. But it’s just the process and the timing and it’s a very scary time in the economy.”

I spoke with Ortiz in October. Though budgetary questions loomed two months ago, they have only worsened since. For those in need of a refresher course, or a real downer, The New York Times published an extensive editorial today on New York’s Fiscal Crisis.

Pedestrian crosses Fourth Avenue at 54th Street. This six-land road, an artery for traffic passing along Brooklyn's west side, makes for dangerous crossing.

Yesterday, an SUV fatally struck Hugo Jansen as he crossed Fourth Avenue near 46th Street. The grandfather was, said witnesses, crossing against the light.* I would venture to say most in the neighborhood have. It’s cold. It’s a busy time of year. We all want to rush home.

At the risk of editorializing, I’d like to ask everyone to wait for the walk signal.

It’s not easy to do–who waits for the signal in New York?–but it may save your life.

Writing about death in Sunset Park, or anywhere, is tragic. Two men shot by a sixteen-year-old in the Park. An unsolved double homicide. A knife fight turned fatal. A Thanksgiving day shooting. Reporting on young men killing one another, one wonders, as Inspector Pintos of the 72nd wonders, what can be done to help defuse this violence.

Hugo Janseen’s death has an easier solution. There is never an excuse to hit someone whatever the light says, nor for not stopping (running only harshens the penalty)–but the fatal accident does remind me of the efficacy of everyday caution.

Fourth Avenue is wide, its cars fast. The pedestrian signal is infrequent and brief. Community Board 7 has already flagged the boulevard’s broad crossing and narrow median as an issue in the neighborhood. Please, particularly on these short winter days when night falls early, look both ways, and then think twice, when crossing the street.

*A report from ABC News disputes the claim that Jansen crossed against the light, stating the SUV ran a red. Either way, the caution stands.