Housing Voucher Cuts
Also: ESL programs, art show, wind power, Diddy, biotech, green-tech, food, drinks, hikes and more!
There is no dedicated news coverage of Sunset Park — but Sunset Park makes news. This FREE weekly(ish) digest curates and summarizes all the headlines from all the news sources that touch our neighborhood, which is one of the most vibrant in Brooklyn.
Housing Voucher Cuts Could Hit Sunset Park Families Hard
AP NEWS: Daniris Espinal of Sunset Park rebuilt her life with help from a federal Emergency Housing Voucher. Now she faces losing her apartment. “That’s my fear, losing control of everything that I’ve worked so hard for,” she said. Over 8,000 families in New York City could be affected if Congress doesn’t renew funding. In Sunset Park, where voucher holders are mostly immigrants and working-class families, advocates warn that cuts could push hundreds into homelessness. Local nonprofits say the program is one of the few safety nets keeping vulnerable tenants housed amid the city’s ongoing affordability crisis.
ESL Programs in Sunset Park Swamped by Demand
THE CITY: People are flooding ESL programs in Sunset Park, where waitlists now top 400. Funding cuts have left places like the Center for Family Life turning away students daily. With new migrants arriving and job access hinging on language skills, local advocates warn that City Hall’s slashed budget for adult education will deepen inequality in communities like Sunset Park. “I sit right by the reception, and every single day we get inquiries about ESOL,” Maria Ferreira said, using the acronym for English for Speakers of Other Languages. “Every day we’re adding people to the waiting list.”
Sean Combs Incarcerated: Bed Checks, Monotony and Jailhouse Lasagna
THE NEW YORK TIMES: A profile of Sean “Diddy” Combs reveals how the music mogul is coping inside Sunset Park’s Metropolitan Detention Center. Accustomed to luxury, he now faces 5 a.m. wakeups, bland meals, and minimal privacy. The piece contrasts his once-flashy image with the grim reality of federal detention. The article highlights how even a powerful celebrity must endure the harshness of MDC life. “Thank y’all for being strong and thank y’all for being by my side,” Mr. Combs said in a video released by his family. He is facing years in prison if convicted on the racketeering and sex trafficking charges he faces when his trial begins next month.
Sunset Park Biotech Firm Launches Bleeding-Control Gel Nationwide
MSN: Brooklyn-based biotech company Cresilon, headquartered at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park, has launched VETIGEL, a plant-based gel that stops bleeding almost instantly. Though originally developed for animals, the FDA has approved it for human use in hospitals and by first responders. Made from algae polymers, the gel forms an immediate barrier without pressure. The breakthrough is also expected to create new local jobs in advanced manufacturing and emergency medical innovation.
Three Green-Tech Startups Launch Pilots at Brooklyn Army Terminal
BROOKLYN REPORTER: The Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park welcomed three startups to its clean-tech pilot program. Pliant Energy Systems will test underwater inspection robots, Armstrong Ceiling Solutions is trialing energy-saving ceiling tiles, and Matcha, with LG CNS, is installing next-gen EV chargers. The initiative supports innovation on Sunset Park’s working waterfront while aiming to create sustainable jobs for local communities.
AI and Tech Seen as Keys to Equitable Growth in Sunset Park
CITY & STATE: NYCEDC CEO Andrew Kimball says neighborhoods like Sunset Park—home to Industry City and the Brooklyn Army Terminal—are at the forefront of the city’s tech-driven economic plans. In a wide-ranging interview, he highlights how AI, robotics, and green tech are being incubated locally. The goal: ensure working-class communities benefit from innovation through training, job pipelines, and equitable redevelopment.
Anatomy of a Debacle: Stalling the Third Avenue Safety Plan
STREETSBLOG NYC: Plans to calm traffic and add protected bike lanes to Sunset Park’s deadly Third Avenue have been shelved. City Hall paused the redesign after pushback from some businesses. Advocates say the delay will cost lives and blame Mayor Adams for caving to misinformation. Third Avenue has long been one of Brooklyn’s most dangerous corridors for cyclists and pedestrians.
Brooklyn’s Biggest Day of Service Returns
BKREADER: On Saturday, April 26, Brooklyn Org’s annual Brooklyn Gives Day of Service will mobilize volunteers at over 50 sites—including several in Sunset Park. Local efforts include e-waste recycling at Industry City and food pantry support. Organizers hope to surpass last year’s participation, emphasizing hands-on civic engagement across Brooklyn’s neighborhoods through cleanup, care, and collaboration.
Stalled Hotel Project Back Underway in Sunset Park
BROOKLYN EAGLE: Construction has resumed on a long-delayed hotel at 142 33rd Street. The 72-room, seven-story project topped out in 2019 but had sat idle until this spring. Once completed, it will include office space, a gym, restaurant, and parking. Local businesses hope the revival brings new energy and jobs to Sunset Park’s underutilized industrial corridor near the waterfront.
Duane Reade to Close in Sunset Park This May
BROOKLYN REPORTER: The Duane Reade at 5008 Fifth Avenue will shut its doors May 21, part of a larger Walgreens downsizing. Local leaders lament the loss of this essential pharmacy in a heavily working-class neighborhood. Advocates warn that seniors and low-income residents may struggle to access medications, and call for investment in independent drugstores to serve the Sunset Park community.
Post-Car Transit Visions Keep Getting Scrapped
MSN: A citywide critique of NYC’s failure to reduce car dependence highlights Sunset Park as a case study in broken infrastructure promises. The pandemic killed the Brooklyn-Queens Connector (BQX), a proposed streetcar that would have linked Sunset Park to Astoria. The Interborough Express remains unfunded. And in April, the city abruptly canceled a long-planned safety overhaul of Sunset Park’s deadly Third Avenue. Advocates say the city’s rhetoric doesn’t match its follow-through—especially in working-class areas like this.
Empire Wind Halted, Threatens Sunset Park Terminal Plans
CBS NEWS: A federal order has paused work on Empire Wind, an offshore wind project tied to the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. The project was expected to create hundreds of green jobs in Sunset Park. Local officials and labor unions say the suspension could derail New York’s clean energy goals and rob Sunset Park of a rare industrial revitalization opportunity.
City Vows to Save Wind Hub, Reform Scaffolding
BKREADER: Mayor Adams pledged to defend Sunset Park’s Empire Wind project despite federal interference. At the same time, he proposed citywide reforms to sidewalk scaffolding rules. The twin announcements place Sunset Park at the intersection of two major city debates—green energy jobs and urban design—and highlight the area’s strategic importance to long-term city infrastructure planning.
Three Chords Launches Spring Season in Industry City
BROADWAYWORLD: Dialogue With Three Chords launched its spring 2025 season at Industry City with “Lovecraft in Brooklyn,” a series of ghostly short plays. The April 11 opening featured “The Secret of the Synapse,” “Gods of the Abyss,” and “Something Else Walks Here.” The season continues April 25 and May 9 with new works, performed with live music by Green Lady in a Sunset Park space that blends industrial grit with DIY theatrical charm.
Industry City Named Among NYC’s Best Food Halls
MSN: Industry City’s food hall earned a spot on MSN’s 2025 list of NYC’s best for its global offerings and design-forward space. Located in a massive converted warehouse, the Sunset Park hall features standout vendors like Japan Village, Kotti Berliner Döner Kebab, and One Girl Cookies. With long communal tables, airy industrial aesthetics, and a rotating cast of local chefs, it offers both variety and atmosphere unmatched in most city food halls.
New Slice Shop and Modern Bistro Expand Sunset Park Dining
MSN: Sunset Park’s food scene is growing with the arrival of Rob’s of Brooklyn, a classic New York slice shop serving crisp, thin-crust pizza to go. Nearby in Industry City, Confidant—opened by Roberta’s alumni—offers elevated comfort food like dry-aged meats and handmade pasta in a laid-back, stylish space. Together, they reflect the neighborhood’s culinary range, from grab-and-go to refined dining.
Artist Thokozani Mthiyane Brings New Work to Sunset Park
BKREADER: South African artist Thokozani Mthiyane returns to Brooklyn with an exhibit that explores memory and spirit. Mthiyane’s past collaborations in the area helped shape his aesthetic. His presence reflects Sunset Park’s place in Brooklyn’s broader arts landscape, where cross-cultural dialogue thrives.
Bar Convent Brooklyn Returns to Industry City
DRINKS INTEL: Bar Convent Brooklyn (BCB) returns to Industry City on June 10 and 11, bringing thousands of global spirits professionals to Sunset Park. The event will feature cocktail demos, educational panels, tastings, and a new outdoor Street Party on 34th Street. With top brands, bar owners, and mixologists in attendance, BCB has become a flagship celebration of beverage culture—and a major draw for Industry City’s food and drink scene.
Teens Build Careers While Restoring Green-Wood Monuments
PIX11: A hands-on youth program is training Sunset Park teens in masonry and preservation as they repair 19th-century structures at Green-Wood Cemetery. Participants gain real-world skills, wages, and a path into union jobs. For many, it’s a first step toward financial independence—and a chance to care for a historic space in their own backyard.
Green-Wood to Host Earth Month Nature Adventure
BKREADER: On April 27, Green-Wood Cemetery will host a free, family-friendly Earth Month event called Green-Wood Adventure: A Nature and Science Scavenger Hunt. Kids and caregivers can explore the cemetery’s urban ecosystem through guided nature walks, bee safaris, science games, and crafts. The event, in collaboration with Genspace and the American Museum of Natural History, aims to connect Sunset Park families with nature, science, and their local green space.
Mushroom Biodiversity Flourishes in Green-Wood Cemetery
THE NEW YORK TIMES: A deeper look at NYC’s biodiversity reveals Green-Wood Cemetery as a hotspot for fungal diversity. Experts have cataloged over 2,000 mushroom species across the city, many found among the trees and gravestones of Sunset Park’s most storied cemetery. Citizen scientists and mycologists alike say it’s proof of nature’s resilience—even in a historic burial ground.
Youth Preservation Program Offers Trade Skills at Green-Wood
PIX11: A second cohort of teens is repairing Green-Wood’s historic mausoleums through a paid training program that teaches trade skills. Most participants come from Sunset Park and nearby areas. The work is both artistic and rigorous, connecting youth to local history while preparing them for union careers in high-demand building restoration fields.
Kid-Friendly Hikes Highlight Sunset Park’s Hidden Nature
PUREWOW: A new guide to family hikes across NYC includes Sunset Park’s own Green-Wood Cemetery and waterfront trails. With stroller-friendly paths and peaceful scenery, the neighborhood’s underappreciated green spaces offer a chance for kids to explore nature without leaving the city. Perfect for spring afternoons and weekend adventures.
CALENDAR
Saturday, April 26: Go Car-Free for Earth Day
Saturday, April 26: Brooklyn Gives Day
Sunday, April 27: Earth Month Nature Adventure at Green-Wood
Saturday, May 17: NYC Family Style Food Festival at Industry City
Tuesday, June 10-11: Bar Convent Brooklyn at Industry City
Ongoing at Green-Wood Cemetery & Industry City