Mark your calendars for the first step in the community engagement process around the redesign of Henry Park I (Henry Street and Pacific Street).  Madison Realty Capital is hosting a community engagement meeting to facilitate new ideas for the playground. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard. Children are welcome!

While the actual construction won’t take place for at least three years, the meetings over the next few months will result in the final design. If you’re new to this newsletter or neighborhood, you might have a few questions about why this is happening. We’ve tried to answer a few potential questions below. Please feel free to email us at cha@cobblehill.nyc with any additional questions.

Please fill out this Attendance Tracker so the organizers know how many people to expect. And don’t forget to use the links at the bottom of the page to save to your calendar!

(1) Why is this happening now?

Madison Realty Capital plans to start construction on the 36-story condo building at 91 Pacific Street within the next 6 months. For safety reasons, the Department of Buildings has determined that about 6 months after construction starts, the Blue & Yellow Playground must close. Madison anticipates that closure will last for approximately 30 months, and intends to perform all of the work related to the maintenance and re-design of the playground during that time.    

(2) What role does the Cobble Hill Association play in all of this? 

As with everything related to the re-development of the former LICH site, our job is to advocate for the community. We can’t control what the buildings look like or how long closures last, but we can make sure all rules and regulations are being followed and work with the developers and City agencies to minimize community disruptions. While we do not control the final design, the CHA is working hand-in-hand with Madison Realty Capital and the Parks Department to ensure optimal community engagement. This means making sure you know about meetings and making sure your feedback is being incorporated into the proposals.  

(3) Why is Madison Realty Capital involved?  

The Blue & Yellow Playground is what is known in the City as a Privately Owned Public Space (POP). This means that, like all City parks, it is open to the public. However, a private entity is responsible for maintenance. That entity used to be Long Island College Hospital. Then it was Fortis. Now it is Madison Realty Capital. One day in the future, it will be some combination of the condo boards of the new buildings being constructed. 

(4) I love this playground as is. Why are we re-designing it?

The sub-structure is crumbling and needs to be replaced. That means all of the equipment has to come down. You can come to the meeting and suggest a similar structure be put up in its place, but the existing one will have to go.