Tobacco Warehouse Renovation Causing a Stir

Will the old Tobacco Warehouse in Brooklyn be turned into an arts and community center, after all? If Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP) officials get their way, it definitely will. Local elected city officials aren't so sure.

In October, Senator Daniel Squadron, along with Assemblywoman Joan Millman and Borough President Markowitz, began issuing demands that Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation president Regina Myer hand over the names of companies wanting to renovate the Tobacco Warehouse.

Myer refused.

This comes as a blow since Myer had initially promised complete transparency throughout the bidding procedures. Her decline to provide this information is worrisome to locals who fear that the project may not make enough money or get enough funding for maintenance and development.

Of course Myers claims that she would reveal all the bidders this week, before a winner is selected. Skeptics say that this timetable won't provide enough time for proper vetting. There is no word on whether the public will have any say over the selection.

In the next few weeks Brooklyn residents will see how the story unfolds and whether the park development's transparency is ever realized and just how the Tobacco Warehouse renovation project will be done.

Source - The Brooklyn Paper, "Foes scream at Regina: Myer, Myer, pants on fire!"