Don’t sleep, Bushwick! Photo from http://lovelypackage.com/rheingold/

The City Planning Commission has approved the ULURP application for the new development on the former site of the Rheingold Brewery in northwest Bushwick, but the application process isn’t over yet–it still needs to be approved by City Council. A group of community members who oppose the development plans have the ear of 34th district Council Member Diana Reyna, and a public hearing about the development with the Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises has been scheduled for this coming Tuesday, November 12th, at 9:30AM at City Hall in Lower Manhattan.

Facebook event for the meeting urges the Bushwick community to attend, reminding the public that this is a unique opportunity to speak directly with the elected officials who will be making a decision about the application that could block the plan. The group presents an itemized list of key talking points about the rezoning, which include support of mitigations suggested by an Advisory Panel of community members elected the week before last and support of the coalition of community organizations who have a stake in the development process, advocacy for permanent and locally affordable housing in Bushwick, prioritizing local and union jobs, enabling environmentally responsible post-Sandy construction practices for the new development, creating community space before retail chain stores and ensuring that there is a priority for local businesses and job training facilities in retail space created on the property.

Can you get free Tuesday morning? Have you ever wondered what it looks like inside this city’s well-oiled political machine, or wanted to let the people you voted for know that you’d rather your rent didn’t skyrocket, if you can help it? If have and and you can, it seems like your neighbors would be happy to see you there.

Directions:

Enter the plaza from either the west side of the park at Broadway and Murray Street or the east side at Park Row. You must go through security before entering City Hall, so allow for extra time and bring photo identification.

By Subway:

#4, #5, #6 trains to City Hall/Brooklyn Bridge

#2, #3 trains to Park Place

W, R trains to City Hall

C, A trains to Chambers Street

By Bus:

M15 to City Hall/Park Row