Bathrooms Campaign Update
An Update from Shayne Spencer and the Friends of WNYC Transmitter Park, the sponsor of this letter campaign.
Greetings Everyone!
Our Voices were Heard!
Thank you to everyone who has sent a letter to Council Member Restler requesting the installation of restrooms in the park. Please continue to spread the word.
On 10/6/23, Friends of WNYC Transmitter Park met with Council Member Lincoln Restler and his staff.
Council Member Restler, in response to the Community Action letter to install bathrooms in WNYC Transmitter Park, requested that NYC Parks Concession Division prepare a RFP (Request for Proposal) for the creation of a concession in the historic WPA designed WNYC Transmitter building that includes the addition of a public bathroom. He indicated to us that there is not enough discretionary capital funds available for our council district to support this project. Therefore, he has moved to have the Parks Dept seek a private operator to fund and manage it as an alternative.
Representatives from The NYC Parks Concessions Division will be presenting at the next Brooklyn Community Board 1 meeting on Wednesday 10/11/23 at 6pm.
From the meeting agenda :
” Parks intends to issue a significant request for proposals for the development, operation, and maintenance of an outdoor café in WNYC Transmitter Park, Brooklyn. This concession will include the addition of public restrooms. The RFP will provide for a term not to exceed twenty (20) years. Parks is taking questions or comments regarding the development of the scope of this RFP.
NYC Parks Concessions: Alexander Han (Chief of Concessions), Andrew Coppola(Senior Project Manager), Kat Cognata (Project Manager) *Questions and Comments by
Community Board 1, are due by November 15, 2023”
Below is a link to the agenda for the CB1 Public Hearing and Board Meeting. We encourage park goers to attend this meeting or submit comments with your suggestions for the Concessions Division. Those who wish to speak during the public session must sign and submit their speaker form from 5:45 pm-6:15 pm no later than 6:15 pm. If you cannot attend the meeting in person, you may submit written testimony to the board to bk01@cb.nyc.gov by 10/24/23.
The meeting location is: 211 Ainslie Street in Williamsburg.
Some broad stroke Items “The Friends” discussed with Council Member Restler:
- Attention to safety and maintenance of a public bathroom, after construction.
- Attention to the centerpiece of the park which is the historic WNYC Transmitter Building: celebrate its unique features with a sustainable renovation by inviting an out of the box thinking for the unique opportunity to restore and activate the WNYC Transmitter building.
- Look forward to the infrastructure needed for climate change and how the park will factor into the US Army Corps of Engineers Storm Risk Management Plan for the Greenpoint waterfront.
- Attention to the passive environment and pollinator gardens of the park with a concession that will be sustainable and a business model that does not increase the rodent population, hampering ongoing rodent mitigation; supports carry in and carry out items to prevent increased trash in the park. Non-alcoholic approach preferred.
If you cannot make the 10/11/23 full board meeting, the CB1 Parks & Waterfront Committee will also consider responses for this proposal at its Tuesday 10/24/23 meeting.
https://www.nyc.gov/assets/brooklyncb1/downloads/pdf/2023/notice-parks-20231024.pdf
More to come… meanwhile see you in the park and thank you all!
PLEASE HELP US to collect 500 signatures by sharing the link below:
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/wnyc-transmitter-park-needs-restrooms?clear_id=true
With gratitude,
The Friends of WNYC Transmitter Park
10/9/23