In a public statement read at public hearing on Thursday March 11th, Councilman Steve Levin (D-Williamsburg) opposed the Domino Sugar plan. In agreement with Community Board 1's decision, Levin sites the over 6,000 residents that will be added to the site with no provision for an enhanced transportation plan.

City Councilman Steve Levin (D-Brooklyn) expressed concerns over the size of a proposed mixed-use development at the site of the former Domingo sugar factory, saying he does not believe the neighborhood’s infrastructure can absorb the project as proposed. The plan was also rejected by Community Board 1 earlier this week.

Mayor Bloomberg announced that $30 million from the Javits Center expansion project will help fund the City's construction of the 172-acre Brooklyn Bridge Park. The City will pay $55 million out of the $120 million needed to complete the park.

On Tuesday March 9th, Community Board 1 voted against the proposed plan for the Domino Sugar Factory in a 23-12 vote. Among several objections to the project was the lack of permanent housing affordability and the lack of a transportation plan for the area to adequately support the added density the project will precipitate.

New York City and New York State have agreed to allow the city to complete the construction of Brooklyn Bridge Park. The two entities have been at odds regarding control of the park for several months. For the next fiscal year, the city is committing $55 million to the project and the state will continue to be involved in shaping the park. No opening date has been set for the park.

The Department of City Planning voted 7-5 to approve zoning changes for Rose Plaza. Of the 801 units slated for the project, 160 are for affordable development. The project will also include retail, public, and community spaces. Community Board 1 and Councilman Steve Levin (D) oppose the project, advocating more affordable units. The City Council will vote on Rose Plaza by May.

The Community Preservation Corporation this week defended the density and size of its proposal to redevelop Brooklyn’s old Domino Sugar refinery. Community Board 1 rejected CPC’s plan last week, citing affordability and density concerns.

The Community Preservation Corporation announced that 660 housing units of its development at New Domino will be permanently affordable. This is a change from the original plan to keep the units affordable for fifteen years. Even with this improvement, the developers will still need to consider enhancing transportation access to the site.

The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI) has submitted a Request For Qualifications with the Regional Plan Association to identify potential designers for a small pocket park along the Brooklyn Greenway route near the Brooklyn Naval Yard. The 1.7 acre parcel is the former site of the Brooklyn Naval Yard Hospital, along Williamsburg Street between Flushing and Kent Avenues.

Brooklyn Bridge Park landscape architect, Michael Van Valkenburgh, spoke to the Brooklyn Heights Association earlier this week. The designer noted that the park's grandeur encompassed the 800 acres of water beyond the 65 acre green area. He noted that Piers 1 and 6 should open shortly and that Pier 2 would feature recreational space.