Brooklyn’s biggest stories of the week: Paul Rudd stopped by Art of Play on Atlantic Avenue; the MTA began a $1.9 billion signal overhaul on the A and C; free 2-K child care is expanding to six more Brooklyn districts; One Monroe Place, this year’s Designer Showhouse, is on the market for $14.995 million; a BMX exhibit opened at Brooklyn Children’s Museum; 16 Handles opened in Park Slope and Westelm in Williamsburg. Read on for the latest!
Celebrity News
Paul Rudd stops by Art of Play
Paul Rudd was photographed peeking into Art of Play, the Atlantic Avenue curiosity shop at the center of Kelly Clarkson’s singing-bird feud, on Wednesday, People reported.
Transit & Streets
The MTA began a $1.9 billion signal overhaul on the A and C
The MTA started replacing nearly century-old signals and track on the A and C lines between High Street in Brooklyn and Ozone Park, Queens, covering 23 stations, amNY reported.
Public meetings were set on the BQE repair
NYC DOT scheduled an information session on Thursday, October 29, at Borough Hall and public meetings on November 10 and 12 for its BQE Central repair, expected to take about 10 years, Patch reported. Our explainer has what it means for families.
Brooklyn ferries to Governors Island move to Pier 101 from November 2
The Trust for Governors Island began a $64 million rebuild of Yankee and Lima piers. From Monday, November 2, NYC Ferry’s South Brooklyn route and the Brooklyn ferry land at Pier 101; the island stays open, per Governors Island.
Red-light cameras now cover 600 intersections
The city finished adding 450 red-light camera intersections, for 600 in all, the legal maximum, DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn said Wednesday. Fines are $50, amNY reported.
Officials asked for 20 mph speed limits in five Brooklyn districts
In a letter dated Monday, October 19, Comptroller Mark Levine and Borough President Antonio Reynoso asked DOT for neighborhood-wide 20 mph limits, including in Brooklyn Community Boards 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7, Brownstoner reported.
Schools & Childcare
Free 2-K child care expands to six more Brooklyn districts
Free 2-K child care for 2-year-olds will reach 22 of the city’s 32 school districts next year, adding Brooklyn’s Districts 16, 17, 19, 20, 21 and 32, the city announced Monday. Toddlers who turn 2 in 2027 will be eligible. Our article has the details.
Prospect Schools cut the ribbon on its Windsor Terrace campus
Prospect Schools, a free public charter network, held a ribbon cutting Thursday for its new K–8 campus at 3002 Fort Hamilton Parkway in Windsor Terrace, which opened this fall.
Chalkbeat published the list of school apps flagged under the AI limits
Chalkbeat obtained the list of 38 education technology products the Education Department flagged under its limits on AI that students use directly, including common reading and math programs.
Police Blotter
A hit-and-run driver critically injured a delivery worker in Crown Heights
A driver in a white Hyundai Elantra struck a 33-year-old delivery worker on an e-bike outside 594 Nostrand Avenue around 7:35pm Tuesday and fled; he was in critical condition, amNY reported.
A man was critically hurt in an attack in Bed-Stuy
A 31-year-old man was found unconscious with a serious head injury outside 158 Tompkins Avenue around 10pm Thursday; police are looking for a man who ran down Hart Street, News 12 reported.
A climate protester climbed the Brooklyn Bridge
A protester dressed as a construction worker climbed the Brooklyn Bridge on Wednesday afternoon and hung a “vote nature” banner above traffic; Extinction Rebellion claimed it, amNY reported.
Real Estate & Development
One Monroe Place, this year’s Designer Showhouse, is on the market for $14.995 million
The 1852 Brooklyn Heights mansion hosting this year’s Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse is listed at $14.995 million, the Brooklyn Eagle reported. The ticketed Showhouse is open through Sunday, November 1.
The Clinton Hill townhouse where Patti Smith lived is for rent
160 Hall Street, the 1901 Clinton Hill townhouse once home to Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe, is renovated and asking $17,500 a month, 6sqft reported.
Community & Events
Brooklyn Bridge Parents hosted a packed Halloween Fest on Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge
Brooklyn Bridge Parents and the 5th Avenue BID closed Fifth Avenue to cars from 72nd to 85th Street for Halloween Fest on Saturday. The free block party was billed with pumpkin decorating, Trunk-or-Treat, crafts, and the PuppetMobile puppet show drew a big crowd of kids in costume.
A BMX exhibit opened at Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Riders Ready: The Science of BMX opened Saturday at Brooklyn Children’s Museum, exploring the science behind BMX, from bike setup and track design to speed and balance. It is included with museum admission.
Merci Milo toy shop opened in Park Slope
Merci Milo, a cult-favorite Los Angeles toy shop, opened Saturday at 704 Sackett Street with free children’s portraits by New Yorker cartoonist Natalie Horberg.
Kaiser Park in Coney Island is getting a bigger playground
Kaiser Park will get $2.5 million from New York State’s NY PLAYS program to expand its playground, News 12 reported.
The Coney Island Lighthouse is a step closer to landmark status
The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted Tuesday to consider the 1890 Coney Island Lighthouse and its keeper’s house in Sea Gate as a city landmark, with a public hearing to follow, Brooklyn Paper reported.
McGolrick Park got trash bins for pizza boxes
McGolrick Park in Greenpoint now has containers built for bulky pizza boxes, paid for by community donations, with the Friends of McGolrick Park and local pizzerias helping arrange it, Greenpointers reported.
West Elm opened in Williamsburg
West Elm opened its new Williamsburg store on North 3rd Street and celebrated on Saturday morning with free coffee.
Early voting began Saturday
Early voting for the November 3 election began Saturday and runs through Sunday, November 1; city voters will also weigh in on five ballot proposals, News 12 reported.
Food & Drink
16 Handles opened in Park Slope
16 Handles opened its self-serve frozen yogurt shop at 148 Seventh Avenue on Saturday, a sibling of the Cobble Hill shop, with free froyo for the first 100 guests.
Errol’s Caribbean Delights closed after more than 25 years
Errol’s Caribbean Delights on Flatbush Avenue at Hawthorne Street set Saturday as its last day as its owners, both in their 80s, plan to retire, News 12 reported.
Lingo announced it is closing in Greenpoint
Lingo, the Michelin Guide restaurant at 27 Greenpoint Avenue, announced its last day of service is Sunday, October 25, with plans for a new concept, Greenpointers reported.
Birdie’s opened in Williamsburg
Birdie’s, the West Village frozen yogurt and candy shop, opened at 76 North 4th Street with a soft opening on Saturday.
Sesilya’s bakery opened in Park Slope
The bakery at Sesilya, a new Georgian restaurant and bakery, opened Thursday at 254 Fifth Avenue at Carroll Street; the restaurant will open later, Park Slope Pulse reported.
Sports
On the Court
Julius Randle scored 33 in his Nets debut as Brooklyn opened the season Wednesday at Barclays Center, falling 110–103 to the Hornets; Michael Porter Jr. added 26, ESPN reported.
Saturday, the Nets lost 125–121 at Cleveland after a late 22–7 run fell short; Porter led Brooklyn with 28 points, ESPN reported.
On the Pitch
Malik Pinto scored for Brooklyn FC in the men’s home finale Wednesday, a 2–1 loss to Birmingham Legion, Brooklyn FC said.
