
Mayor Adams visits several life sciences-related businesses in the Brooklyn Navy Yard following the announcement of a $20 million biotechnology center there. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.
On March 3, 2023, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Economic Development Corporation, and Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation announced the City will open a new sustainability-focused biotechnology center at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The $20 million center will open in 2025 and be the first commercial center for sustainable biotechnology development in the United States. More than 400 jobs will be created and supported through the center’s office spaces, research laboratories, and programming spaces. (more…)

Mayor Adams joins the development team for the ground breaking of the Hanson Place Community Plaza project. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.
The project site also features 22,000 feet of community space. On April 28, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams and other City officials joined the development team of Hanson Place Church Support Corporation, MDG Design + Construction, City Community Capital, The Richman Group, and other partners to break ground on Hanson Place Community Plaza. (more…)

Rendering of Approved 352-360 Clermont Ave. Image Credit: Landmarks and CWB Architects
New rowhouses in Fort Greene will feature curb cuts and garages. On September 10, 2019, the Landmarks Preservation Commission considered and voted to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct five new four-story rowhouses at 352-360 Clermont Avenue in the Fort Greene Historic District in Brooklyn. The site is currently used as a one story garage and parking lot. Brendan Coburn of CWB Architects presented on behalf of the applicant.
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Google Street View of 434 Vanderbilt Avenue
“White knight” owner stepped in to rehabilitate 1866 townhouse after building fell into disrepair. On June 5, 2012, Landmarks approved a proposal to dismantle and reconstruct the deteriorating facade of an 1866 Second-Empire building at 434 Vanderbilt Avenue in the Fort Greene Historic District. In addition to rebuilding the front facade, the proposal included plans to build a rear metal deck on top of an existing one-story extension. The owner also plans to replace the windows on the rear facade with glass entry doors to the deck. The work at the rear would be partially visible from street vantages.
According to Landmarks staff member Joshua Speakman, prior to 2006 a former owner performed illegal work on the home, which included replacing the roof, windows, and historic dormers. Subsequent owners took steps to repair and stabilize the dilapidated structure, which included installing temporary steel (more…)

- 40 Greene Avenue. Image: Couresy of LPC.
Multiple faiths used 1864 building before it was converted into the Paul Robeson Theater. On October 25, 2011, Landmarks designated the St. Casimir’s Roman Catholic Church at 40 Greene Avenue in Brooklyn as an individual City landmark. Originally named the Church of the Redeemer, the church was built in 1864 for the Fourth Universalist Society. Temple Israel, one of Brooklyn’s earliest Reform congregations, purchased the church and converted it into a synagogue. In 1890, Temple Israel sold the building to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, who added a steeple and an apse to the structure.
St. Casimir’s occupied the building until 1980 when it merged with Our Lady of Czechostowa parish. Dr. Josephine English, New York’s first African-American female OB/GYN, purchased the building and converted it into the Paul Robeson Theater. (more…)