THE SUNY DOWNSTATE ADVISORY BOARD will hold its first public hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. to give members of the community

The post Public meeting on the future of SUNY Downstate Hospital appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

THE CITY’S SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY is considering building a school across the street from a state Superfund site in Greenpoint

The post City considers building school near Superfund site in Greenpoint appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

BROOKLYN GAMES & ARCADE at 6120 Fourth Avenue is struggling to stay open, according to PIX11. The arcade offers classic Nintendo products

The post Bay Ridge arcade fighting to keep its doors open appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

Brooklyn Congressmember Nydia M. Velázquez (D-7) praised the Israel-Hamas deal in a statement she released Wednesday, Jan. 15.

The post Velázquez praises tentative cease-fire deal appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

Locals at the Brighton Beach Municipal Parking Lot are voicing their frustration over soaring fees and the lack of enforcement that leaves permit holders struggling to secure their designated parking spots.

Last Friday, State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (SD 23-Staten Island/Southern Brooklyn) called for immediate reforms to the parking system at Brighton Beach, shedding light on a steep quarterly permit fee increase from $500 to $625, significantly higher than fees at other city municipal lots.

During the Jan. 10 press conference, Scarcella-Spanton, joined by Council Member Inna Vernikov, Community Board 13 District Manager Eddie Mark, and residents, emphasized the financial burden the fee hikes place on older adults, low-income families, and residents on fixed incomes.

“The affordability of parking is a major issue for many of my constituents, particularly our older adults living on fixed incomes. It’s clear that the current parking rate of $625 at Brighton Beach is an unfair financial burden on them,” said Scarcella-Spanton. “This rate is disproportionately high compared to other lots throughout the city, and the problem is worsened by unauthorized parkers occupying spaces meant for permit holders.”

According to the senator, residents have long reported unauthorized vehicles occupying spots for extended periods without valid permits or with expired decals. This practice forces paying permit holders to park elsewhere, often requiring them to walk home through poorly lit areas at night, raising safety concerns. 

Long-time resident Fran Schwartz has been living in Brighton Beach for over 60 years and is paying $625 a month to park in the municipal parking lot not far from her building

“Anybody could ride in here freely — all of the entrances are open,” she told reporters at the Brighton Beach Municipal Parking Field, located on Brighton Fourth Street between Brightwater Court and the Boardwalk. “Everything about this lot is horrible except that we have a slot to park in.”

Scarcella-Spanton said she has engaged with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the NYPD over the past eight months to propose solutions, including a mechanical gate mechanism, an on-site parking agent, increased fines for violators, and enhanced NYPD enforcement.

“The lack of enforcement at the Brighton Beach municipal parking lot is a significant issue,” Vernikov said. “The reality is that many drivers skip paying for passes, making it unfair for those who pay the steep $625 quarterly fee — which doesn’t even guarantee a spot due to congestion and lack of enforcement.”

Scarcella-Spanton introduced Senate Bill S9955 last December to address the financial strain on seniors. The proposed legislation would establish discounted parking permits for adults aged 62 and older who earn 50% or less of the Area Median Income.

“My goal is to make parking more affordable for my older constituents, while ensuring our municipal parking lots don’t become an unnecessary cash grab for hardworking residents who are already being burdened with these costs,” she said.

Vernikov also introduced local legislation last year, Intro #957, to provide seniors with discounted rates for municipal lots citywide.

A DOT spokesperson told Brooklyn Paper that the agency would “keep the public informed” as progress was made on the concerns raised.

“We are reviewing the community’s feedback and look forward to working with the elected officials and our sister agencies, including NYPD, to discuss how to best address these issues,” the spokesperson said.

JUST AS BROOKLYN’S ELECTED OFFICIALS PRAISED the newly-negotiated cease fire deal between Israel and Hamas that was announced on Jan. 15.

The post Israeli Cabinet delays meeting to approve newly-minted ceasefire deal appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

Brooklyn is home to roughly 300,000 Orthodox Jews, about 11% of the borough’s population. It’s a community that largely keeps to traditions

The post ✰PREMIUM<br><i>Spotlight: </i><br>Are Yeshivas secular enough? appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.