Brooklyn’s biggest stories of the week: the Park Slope Food Co-op votes two-to-one to boycott Israeli products, ending a debate that began in 2009; the DOE confirms a fresh wave of 3K seats at PS 110 and Kuei Luck Early Childhood Center in Greenpoint, with more on the way in Boerum Hill; Mayor Mamdani unveils a $22 billion “Block by Block” housing plan in Gowanus; the City Council Land Use Committee takes up the 1,150-unit Monitor Point project on the Greenpoint waterfront; the ninth annual DUMBO Drop sends thousands of parachuting elephants over Washington Street; the Bay Ridge Street Fair and the Brooklyn Film Festival close out the month; Danny Meyer signs on to the long-stalled Bossert Hotel revival in Brooklyn Heights and a new Mexican concept moves into the old Gran Electrica corner in DUMBO; the Liberty host Phoenix at Barclays for Pride Night; and a rare Mississippi Kite drifts over Prospect Park. Read on for the latest!
Brooklyn Politics
Park Slope Food Co-op Votes 2-to-1 to Boycott Israeli Products
The Park Slope Food Co-op — at more than 17,000 members the largest and oldest member-owned grocery store in the world, and a Brooklyn institution since 1973 — voted Tuesday May 26 to boycott Israeli goods and products made in the occupied Palestinian territories, ending a campaign first launched at the co-op in 2009. The three-hour meeting capped a debate that intensified during Israel’s war in Gaza. The final tally was 67% in favor, 31% against, and 2% abstaining. A small basket of items will come off the shelves, in line with the broader boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement’s stance: some produce, several brands of tahini, olive oil, and hair-care products. The measure says the boycott will hold until Israel ends what its text calls discriminatory treatment of Palestinians in any territory under Israel’s control. The co-op hired security guards this week after receiving threats and suspicious substances in the mail. Lead organizer Alyce Barr, a co-op member since 1978, invoked the co-op’s founding pledge to “avoid products that depend on the exploitation of others.” Park Slope’s Rabbi Rachel Timoner, who led the anti-boycott campaign, called it “a really sad night for a lot of Jews in Park Slope” and said she planned to resign her co-op membership.
Schools
A New Wave of 3K Seats Lands in Greenpoint
The Department of Education confirmed this week it’s adding 3K classrooms at PS 110 and Kuei Luck Early Childhood Center, both opening in September — a direct response to Greenpoint families who pulled placements far from home in this year’s lottery. The new Atlantic Avenue Early Childhood Education Center and a 3K classroom at PS 38 in Boerum Hill round out the expansion. More 3K news is expected.
City Hall
Mamdani’s “Block by Block” Plan: 400,000 Homes, $22 Billion
At Powerhouse Arts in Gowanus on Tuesday May 26, Mayor Mamdani unveiled his signature housing plan: 200,000 new rent-stabilized homes and 200,000 preserved across the next decade, backed by a historic $22 billion capital investment. The plan also includes the largest NYCHA capital investment in decades — $5.6 billion over five years — and a $75 million loan fund to help 300 renters convert their apartments into co-ops over the next two years.
Monitor Point Goes Before the Council
The City Council’s Land Use Committee held a hearing Wednesday May 27 on Gotham Organization’s proposed 1,150-unit Monitor Point development at 40 Quay Street, on MTA-owned land along the Greenpoint waterfront. The developer raised the affordable share to 40%, but Council Member Lincoln Restler is holding out for a clear majority of affordable units — plus an ironclad timeline and funding commitment for the long-promised remaining acres of Bushwick Inlet Park.
A Bigger Bed for Your Block’s Tree
Council Member Restler and Trees New York launched a tree-bed expansion program in District 33 this week: residents can nominate a tree on their block, and crews will cut into the concrete to enlarge the bed, repair the sidewalk, and remove any Belgian blocks. Bigger beds mean healthier trees, better stormwater absorption, and fewer ripped sidewalks. Priority goes to beds near schools, parks, and playgrounds.
Events & Entertainment
Thousands of Elephants Drifted Over DUMBO Friday
The ninth annual DUMBO Drop returned Friday May 29 with two airdrops of parachuting toy elephants — 5 PM and 7 PM — from the rooftops along Washington Street. Tickets ($18.75+) included a souvenir elephant, sweepstakes entry, and access to the pre-Drop block party with food, live music, and crafts. All proceeds benefit PS 307 and Dock Street School.
Bay Ridge Street Fair Takes 5th Avenue Sunday
Sunday May 31, 10 AM to 6 PM, 5th Avenue between 69th and 85th becomes a free day-long fair: food vendors, kid stuff, and the usual neighborhood pour-out.
Brooklyn Film Festival Wraps Up at the Wythe
The Brooklyn Film Festival closes out two weeks of programming with its final in-person showings at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31 at 4, 6, and 8 PM. All BFF films also stream online through June 7. Schedule here.
Greenpoint Open Studios Opens 240 Doors
Saturday and Sunday May 30 and 31, noon to 6 PM, 240 creative spaces across Greenpoint open to the public — meet the artists, browse the work, take the kids. A free neighborhood art crawl.
McCarren Volunteer Day and Block Party
Saturday May 30, 10 AM to 2 PM at McCarren Park: tree care, trash pickup, games. A community trash sweep meets at Driggs at 11 AM. Family-friendly volunteering with a block-party finish.
A New Home for the Brooklyn Heights Community Fridge
The Zion German Evangelical Lutheran Church is welcoming the relocated Brooklyn Heights community fridge in front of its building at 125 Henry Street. Neighbors gather Sunday May 31 from 1 to 3 PM to celebrate. Volunteer sign-ups for stocking and cleaning are open.
Openings
Danny Meyer Signs On to the Bossert Hotel Revival
A new restaurant from Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group is coming to the historic Bossert Hotel in Brooklyn Heights — the strongest signal yet that the long-stalled revival of the 1909 landmark is finally taking shape. Cuisine, name, and opening date are still firming up. More details in our writeup.
A New Mexican Concept Lands the Old Gran Electrica Corner
A new Mexican restaurant is moving into the long-vacant DUMBO corner at Front and Old Fulton Streets where Gran Electrica shuttered after more than a decade as a neighborhood mainstay. Operators, menu, and opening timing are still emerging.
Sports
On the Court
Sabrina Ionescu made her season debut Sunday May 25 as the Liberty fell 91–76 to Dallas, leaving the home team at 3–3 on the early season; Breanna Stewart was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week earlier in the month. The Liberty hosted Phoenix at Barclays Friday night for Pride Night.
On the Diamond
The Cyclones opened a six-game homestand against the Wilmington Blue Rocks at Maimonides Park with a 6–0 shutout Tuesday May 26 — a clean break. Wednesday’s rematch went the other way, 7–6, on a Voit homer off the batter’s eye. The series runs through Sunday.
On the Pitch
Brooklyn FC men close out a road stretch Sunday May 31 at Sporting JAX, with a 2 PM ET kickoff at Hodges Stadium. The women’s team wrapped its inaugural USL Super League season earlier this month.
Brooklyn Wildlife
A Mississippi Kite Drifts Over Prospect Park
A Mississippi Kite — a small, elegant southern raptor rarely spotted in New York — was confirmed soaring over the Prospect Park ballfields, with a second sighting the same day in Sunset Park. Birders pinged each other for hours.
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