Brooklyn Bridge Park CAC Meets, Discusses Empire Stores RFP

Last night at St. Frances College in Brooklyn Heights, the Community Advisory Council to Brooklyn Bridge Park, a group made up of local neighborhood organization representatives, met to address current and future projects and to pass their by-laws. The group only formed in the fall, and last night's meeting made it clear they were still trying to find their footing.

"A lot of people don't want to be party to a kangaroo court," said Judi Francis, of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund, during a tumultous discussion of the passing of the group's by-laws.

The by-laws were passed with 14 in favor and 7 opposed.

Francis' sentiment relates to a topic that has been a major one in the CAC since it's formation -- how much can the group affect decisions made for the park? The CAC was appointed by the city's Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation and can only make suggestions and recommendations. 

, another member and President of the Boerum Hill Association, said after the meeting that he is hopeful that work can get done.

"The CAC is looking forward to working to bring meaningful input as the development of BBP moves forward," he said. "We want to be full partners in the process."

And in what can be seen as a respectful move by the Park Corporation, the CAC was briefed on the Request for Proposals for the development of the Empire Stores buildings at Fulton Ferry, whearas previously some of the corporation's projects weren't as transparent. The RFP will be released this Spring.

The meeting began with a summary by Paul Peninger of Bay Area Economics, the consulting firm hired to help determine how the park can possibly create revenue without having to build private housing.

Many local organizations are opposed to private housing in the park, including . In December, the and voted that nine proposals suggested by the community should warrant further study.

Last night, Peninger said a report on those nine proposals would be completed by Bay Area Economics and available for public review in mid February.