Brooklynites will soon be able to reach new heights in Sunset Park.

A 15,0000-square-foot HAPIK climbing gym is set to open at Industry City on Nov. 23, with dozens of climbing walls, rope courses, and more.

“We are so excited to bring the wonderful world of HAPIK to Industry City,” said HAPIK president Antoine Richard, in a statement. “With this location, we saw an opportunity for HAPIK to serve as a ground for educational experiences that help build self-confidence, team bonding, and celebration amongst friends and family. This location will take New York City to new heights – literally – and we can’t wait for Brooklyn to get to know us.”

The gym features 50 climbing walls up to 24 feet high, with more than 150 different routes to attempt. There are also two ropes courses of varying difficulty, and “vertical challenges” inspired by the likes of “American Ninja Warrior.” 

Climbing gyms are incredibly popular in New York City, each with their own niche — Bouldering Project Brooklyn, as its name suggests, is bouldering-only – climbing without ropes. Movement Gowanus offers bouldering, regular climbing, and other fitness classes. 

At HAPIK, the focus is providing a doorway into the world of climbing for visitors of all ages and skill levels. Each wall is equipped with an auto belay – a device that allows visitors to climb safely without a human belayer at the end of the rope. If climbers fall, or reach the top, they will be safely and slowly lowered to the ground.

In addition to the walls, ropes courses, and vertical challenges, the Industry City gym will have a soft play area, a playground-esque structure with plenty of soft, kid-friendly equipment for play and climbing. 

“HAPIK is everything we are about at Industry City, from their ability to transport people to unforgettable experiences where bonds are built, and in their commitment to create a space where climbers of all ages can tap into their inner adventure-seekers,” said Industry City managing director Jim Somoza. “This announcement demonstrates our commitment to providing unique and engaging entertainment and experiences for our tenants and community members, and we look forward to the endless memories to be made at HAPIK in Industry City.” 

HAPIK at Industry City will celebrate its grand opening on Nov. 23, with $25 tickets and free food and drinks. After that, individual climbing passes will be available for $34.90, and soft play passes for $23.90. Plus, HAPIK welcomes birthday parties, corporate events, field trips, and school group visits. 

AN 8-STORY APARTMENT TOWER development at 540 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn is shaping up, New York YIMBY reports.

The post Boerum Hill mixed-use development is making progress appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

AN SUV SLAMMED into a pharmacy at the corner of 35th Street and Church Avenue in East Flatbush on Monday night.

The post SUV crashes into East Flatbush businesses appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

MAYOR ERIC ADAMS announced on Wednesday that he has appointed Jessica Tisch as the latest commissioner of the New York City Police Department.

The post Adams appoints tech-minded Jessica Tisch as new police commissioner appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

Губернатор использует дополнительные ресурсы для сдерживания крупнейшего лесного пожара в Нью-Йорке с 2008 года; Пожар теперь локализован на 90 процентов Более 400 пожарных частей, в […]

As the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge approaches its 60th anniversary on Nov. 21, the monumental feat of engineering remains an integral piece of New York City’s infrastructure.

Once the longest suspension bridge in the world, and now the 13th-longest globally, the bridge handles over 200,000 vehicles every day and plays a crucial role in connecting Brooklyn and Staten Island.

To better understand the iconic structure, Brooklyn Paper spoke with experts from WSP, the firm behind the bridge’s original design and ongoing maintenance and preservation.

“This bridge is not merely a crossing; it’s a major lifeline that holds up 1.4 million tons of concrete and 143,000 miles of cable wire,” said Jonathan Morey, senior bridge engineer at WSP. “It truly represents the ingenuity of its time and the continuous advancements in engineering that keep it operational today.”

The bridge was initially proposed to connect Staten Island with the rest of the boroughs.

According to Stuart Rankin, a professional engineer and senior vice president of the National Bridges and Structures Practice at WSP, Staten Island was effectively cut off from the rest of the city before the bridge’s opening in 1964. 

“You can’t even imagine the inconvenience it caused,” Rankin said. “The only way to traverse to Manhattan was by ferry, which limited both mobility and economic growth for Staten Island.”

The connection was first proposed as a tunnel with a rail connection to the other boroughs. However, shortly after construction began, the then government prohibited rail travel through the tunnel. This cut off any potential funding from the freight rails, effectively cutting the tunnel construction budget.

Now preparing to build a bridge, the engineers realized they were addressing more than just a transportation hurdle, but also the socio-economic effects the bridge would have. The ability to easily access other boroughs transformed Staten Island from an isolated locale into a thriving hub for residents and businesses. 

“The construction of the bridge really gave Staten Island the opportunity to become a residential arm of New York City, showing the significant impact it has had on the economic development of the area,” Rankin said.

The bridge, named after European explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, opened in 1964 with just the upper deck. Within a few years, congestion became a pressing concern. Six years later, in 1969, the lower deck opened to traffic. 

“The bridge’s design anticipated this growth, and as engineers, we’re proud that we could pave the way for such rapid evolution,” Morey said. 

Today, the bridge has 13 lanes, seven on the upper deck and six on the lower, and has become known for more than just carrying cars. It serves as the iconic starting point for the New York City Marathon, which saw more than 50,000 runners this year, and marks the end of the Five Boro Bike Tour. Most years, endangered peregrine falcons nest atop the structure. 

And the bridge continues to evolve. 

WSP constantly evaluates ways to maintain the structure, factoring in elements of climate change and car developments. Ongoing upkeep includes physical repairs, corrosion cleaning, repainting, and engineering studies. The team also stays abreast of new technological advancements to see how to better support the Verrazzano- Narrows Bridge.

Most recently, they implemented cable dehumidification to preserve the suspension cables. 

“This bridge has to last through all kinds of conditions — Mother Nature, corrosion and urban stressors,” Morey said. “By injecting dry air into the cables, we can significantly reduce the moisture that leads to corrosion.”

Such methods are vital for ensuring the bridge remains safe and functional for generations.

The engineers at WSP said they learned unique lessons learned from working on the Verrazzano. 

“Everything is massive,” Rankin said. “But that also signifies the resolve of those engineers back in the day, who built the world’s largest suspension bridge using relatively rudimentary tools and equipment.”

On the future of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Rankin posed a critical question. 

“Can we picture a future where the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is no longer needed?” he said. “Given what it means to the communities, it’s hard to envision that day.”

As the anniversary approaches, WSP is opening its vault of historic photographs documenting the bridge’s construction and evolution over the past 60 years.

“We’re excited to share this curated selection with the public,” Morey said. “It’s essential to recognize not just the bridge’s significance but also its rich history.”

The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is a beacon of ingenuity and perseverance in a city that thrives on progress and connectivity, he said. It holds a particular symbolism for Morey.  

“Don’t give up and keep trying,” he said.

Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch will take the reins of the NYPD Monday as the city’s new top cop, Mayor Eric Adams announced Wednesday.

Tisch will succeed interim Police Commissioner Tom Donlon, who took the position back in September following the resignation of Edward Caban, who stepped down amid scandal. She will not only be the second female top cop in the city’s history, but also the fourth different police commissioner in Mayor Adams’ first term.

“To ensure New Yorkers have the ability to thrive in our city, we need a strong, battle-tested leader who will continue to drive down crime and ensure New Yorkers are safe and feel safe, and I cannot think of a leader more up to the task than Commissioner Jessica Tisch,” Adams said during a Nov. 20 press conference at City Hall. “As one of the most successful managers in our administration, I am confident that Commissioner Tisch will effectively lead the greatest police department in the world and continue to deliver the safety and peace of mind New Yorkers deserve.”

Tisch previously held several civilian posts in the Police Department but was never a uniformed cop. Adams appointed her as sanitation commissioner at the start of his tenure in 2022, and Tisch’s stewardship at the agency made her one of the scandal-scarred administration’s more stable leaders.

Following Caban’s resignation, Tisch’s name had been floated on a short list of potential long-term replacements.

“It is now my privilege to lead you, and I am looking forward to coming home,” Tisch said at a Nov. 20 press conference at City Hall. “Mayor Adams has been very clear that the priorities are supporting you as a fight crime and disorder, keeping you safe and bringing the department into the next century. “To New Yorkers, I hear you loud and clear. The mission is to keep you safe, to make you feel safe, and to improve your quality of life, to restore dignity and work every street, every neighborhood, every borough in the city.”

Tisch’s first day as NYPD commissioner will be Monday, Nov. 25.

This is a developing story; check with amNY.com for additional updates.