Tag: justin-brannan

Bay Ridge’s Vinland Playground reopens after $3.4 million makeover

The renovated playground now offers new play equipment suitable for children of all ages and abilities, including a toddler playhouse, two swing sets, and painted games.

Dec. 6, 2024 By Adam Daly The newly renovated Vinland Playground in Bay Ridge officially reopened Wednesday following a $3.4 million facelift. NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue and City Council Member Justin Brannan joined residents on Dec. 4 to celebrate the upgrades, which include a toddler playhouse, two new swing sets, and a colorful…

Former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm paralyzed after horse riding accident, thousands raised for recovery

BR_GrimmDykerSwear_2011_1_14_BK04,BC,FREELANCE

Nov. 12, 2024 By Adam Daly More than $300,000 has been raised to support former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm’s recovery after he was recently paralyzed in a horseback riding accident, according to an online fundraiser. Since launching the GoFundMe campaign on Sunday, organizers have received more than 3,000 individual donations to help cover Grimm’s…

Polishing a local ‘gem’: Coney Island pol secures $10M for Kaiser Park renovations

Big checks bring about a big change! Brannan secures funding for renovations of Kaiser Park.

Nov. 1, 2024 By Jada Camille Kaiser Park is set to get its day in the sun. Council Member Justin Brannan announced he has secured $10 million for capital upgrades at Coney Island’s Kaiser Park. The funding, part of the Fiscal Year 2025 city budget, marks the first major capital improvement for the park.…

Redevelopment plans for former Century 21 site scrapped, owners pivot toward housing

century 21 in Bay Ridge

Sep. 19, 2024 By Kirstyn Brendlen Plans to redevelop the old Century 21 in Bay Ridge into an “urban retail landscape” have been scrapped, and owners are seeking to sell the site to a developer interested in building housing instead.  The Gindi family, who founded the now-defunct department store, have listed the lot and…

The state of animal welfare in New York City? Not great, advocates say at City Council hearing

animal welfare city council hearing

Sep. 17, 2024 By Kirstyn Brendlen Veterinarians, animal rescuers and nonprofit leaders packed City Hall on Friday for a six-hour hearing on the state of animal welfare in New York City.  What is the state of animal welfare? Not great, according to the testimony of more than 100 people. Rescuers and shelters are struggling,…

Bay Ridge Prep unveils new and renovated school building on Shore Road

bay ridge prep ribbon cutting

Sep. 6, 2024 By Kirstyn Brendlen Two days before the first day of classes at Bay Ridge Prep, school leaders and local politicians cut the ribbon on the school’s brand-new building on Shore Road.  The private K-12 school bought a plot of land overlooking Shore Road Park three years ago in a bid to…

After-school programs in shortage in Brooklyn amid funding controversy

brooklyn after-school program protest

Sep. 4, 2024 By Megan McGibney Brooklyn’s public schools will start the new school year on Sept. 5, but some will be without after-school programs. As the 2023-24 school year ended, Albany altered the funding structure for after-school programs. The New York State Learning and Enrichment After-School Program Supports, a new initiative by the state’s…