International Issues Influencing Sunset Park's Politics

Also: CEO's Sunset Park Roots​, Cherry Blossoms Ready to Bloom, Destination Dining, Special Election, Interborough Express 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.

(A.I. tried, but still can’t spell.)

In this issue

• International Issues Influence Sunset Park's Local Politics

• Wizards' Donation Drive Inspired by CEO's Sunset Park Roots​

• School Dean Arrested for Putting Student, 13, in Chokehold

• Senior Center Faces Closure After Rent Spikes Tenfold

• Cherry Blossoms Ready to Bloom and Sunset Park Prepares for Spring Crowds

• Sunset Park Named One of NYC’s Best Parks to Visit

• SeltzerFest Bubbles Over in Industry City

• Brooklyn Kura Embraces NYC's 'Surprise Economy'

• Can This Restaurant Make Destination Dining Happen in Industry City?

• Women’s Day March Centers Working-Class Voices

• Councilmember Pushes Bill for Faster Rat Complaint Inspections

• Watermark Capital Secures $210M for Sunset Park Mixed-Use Development

• Parishioner's Vision Inspires Youth Rosary Movement at St. Michael’s Church

• Special Election Set for Brooklyn’s 44th Council District

• Bike New York Relocates to Industry City to Expand Programs

• Biden's Offshore Wind Legacy Faces Uncertainty Under Trump Administration

• Trump Administration's Permit Freeze Stalls Offshore Wind Projects

• MTA Schedules Open Houses for Interborough Express

International Issues Influence Sunset Park's Local Politics

STAR REVUE: In Sunset Park, international issues are influencing local political races. City Councilmember Alexa Avilés, representing District 38, faces a primary challenge from Ling Ye, a former aide to Rep. Dan Goldman and Rep. Nydia Velaqez. Ye, who immigrated to the U.S. at 14 and grew up in Sunset Park, launched her campaign advocating for improved education and public safety, including increased police funding. Both Avilés and neighboring District 39 Councilmember Shahana Hanif have shown support for Palestinian citizens, drawing attention from pro-Israel Political Action Committees like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (APC). These PACs are endorsing candidates like Ye to challenge progressive incumbents, reflecting how global conflicts are impacting local elections in Sunset Park.

Wizards' Donation Drive Inspired by CEO's Sunset Park Roots​

THE WASHINGTON TIMES: The Washington Wizards, in collaboration with Monumental Sports & Entertainment, are set to donate basketballs and "District Dribble" T-shirts to 29,000 students across 80 elementary schools in Washington, D.C., promoting active lifestyles. The distribution starts on March 20, aiming to complete before the city's spring break on April 14. CEO Ted Leonsis, reflecting on his Brooklyn upbringing, recalls the joy of receiving his first basketball and playing at the courts in Sunset Park. This personal connection emphasizes the initiative's mission to inspire similar enthusiasm for sports among D.C. youth, fostering community engagement and healthy habits. “Growing up in Brooklyn, I vividly remember the joy of receiving my first basketball and spending time at the courts in Sunset Park,” he said.

School Dean Accused of Putting Student, 13, in Chokehold

NY DAILY NEWS: A dean of students was accused of putting a 13-year-old boy in a chokehold when he refused to change into a school uniform, police said. Elvin Ventura was inside the cafeteria of IS 136, the Charles O. Dewey School on Fourth Ave. near 40th St. in Sunset Park when he saw the boy out of uniform, police sources with knowledge of the case said. According to a report, Ventura, 53, told the teen to change into his uniform, but the student balked, claiming he would do it when he finished his lunch. The teen was on his way to class a short time later when Ventura prevented him from going upstairs with his friends, sparking a fight.

Senior Center Faces Closure After Rent Spikes Tenfold

CBS NEWS: The United Senior Center of Sunset Park, a vital community space serving mostly low-income Chinese immigrants, is at risk of closing after its landlord raised the monthly rent from $2,500 to over $25,000. Located on 6th Avenue, the center has operated for more than 30 years, offering meals, social activities, and essential services to hundreds of seniors. Advocates say the rent hike reflects broader displacement pressures in Sunset Park, where gentrification is squeezing out longtime institutions. Local leaders and elected officials are calling for intervention to save the center, warning that its closure would be devastating for one of the city’s most vulnerable populations. "We offer English as a second language for the Hispanic and also for the Chinese. We offer technology — you don't know how to use a phone, please come here, we help you," Executive Director Grisel Amador said. LINK

Cherry Blossoms Ready to Bloom and Sunset Park Prepares for Spring Crowds

PIX11: New York City’s cherry blossom season is just days away, and parks across the city — including Sunset Park — are preparing for a surge of spring visitors. While the Brooklyn Botanic Garden draws large crowds, locals say the cherry trees in Sunset Park offer a quieter, more intimate experience with sweeping views of Manhattan. The blooms, expected to peak between late March and early April, provide a free and joyful reprieve from the grayness of winter. Sunset Park’s blend of natural beauty and cultural vibrancy makes it a favorite spring destination for nearby families and photographers alike.

Sunset Park Named One of NYC’s Best Parks to Visit

MSN: In a roundup of New York’s most beloved green spaces, Sunset Park earned a top spot for its panoramic harbor views, vibrant community, and cultural mix. The park’s unique hilltop vantage point offers one of the best sunset-watching locations in the city. With cherry blossoms blooming in spring and views stretching from the Statue of Liberty to the Manhattan skyline, Sunset Park is celebrated as a place of joy, reflection, and everyday beauty in a rapidly changing city.

SeltzerFest Bubbles Over in Industry City

BROOKLYN REPORTER: Seltzer lovers flocked to Industry City in Sunset Park for the return of SeltzerFest, a celebration of fizzy drinks that brought together local brands, cocktail demonstrations, and vintage seltzer memorabilia. The event featured free samples, family activities, and a panel on the cultural history of seltzer in New York. Sunset Park’s diverse community and growing creative scene made it the perfect setting for the event, which attracted attendees from across the borough. Organizers say the turnout proves seltzer’s nostalgic appeal and its growing popularity among younger audiences seeking healthier, flavorful alternatives to soda.

Brooklyn Kura Embraces NYC's 'Surprise Economy'

GOTHAMIST: In response to consumer fatigue from algorithm-driven predictability, New York City businesses are embracing the “surprise economy,” offering products and experiences with an element of unpredictability. In Sunset Park, the sake brewery Brooklyn Kura has introduced an $80-a-month sake subscription program, delivering a curated selection of sakes to subscribers without prior disclosure of the specific varieties. This initiative aligns with a broader citywide trend where retailers and service providers present mystery boxes, blind book dates, and surprise theater showings, aiming to invigorate and engage customers seeking novel and unexpected experiences.

Can This Restaurant Make Destination Dining Happen in Industry City?

EATER NY & THE NEW YORK TIMES: Confidant, a new full-service restaurant, has opened in Sunset Park’s Industry City. Helmed by Brendan Kelley and Daniel Grossman, both alumni of Roberta's, Confidant offers a New American menu emphasizing seasonality and local sourcing. Dishes include tuna prosciutto with mushroom garum and Meyer lemon, and a prawn pot pie with parsnip and herb. The 65-seat dining room combines industrial elements with warm touches, reflecting the evolving culinary landscape of Sunset Park.

Women’s Day March Centers Working-Class Voices

INDYPENDENT: A modest but spirited march took place in Sunset Park earlier this month to honor International Women’s Day, organized by local immigrant-led and socialist groups. Dozens gathered to call attention to the economic struggles faced by working-class women, especially immigrants, in New York City. Protesters chanted in English and Spanish, highlighting issues such as labor exploitation, housing injustice, and rising police budgets. Unlike corporate-sponsored women’s events, this demonstration centered on solidarity and class-conscious feminism. Organizers said the goal was not turnout but a message: that liberation for women must include economic justice, and that Sunset Park remains a site of grassroots resistance.

Councilmember Pushes Bill for Faster Rat Complaint Inspections

AMNY: Brooklyn Councilmember Susan Zhuang, who represents parts of Sunset Park, introduced legislation to improve how the city handles rat and pest complaints. The bill, Intro 1217, would require the Department of Health to inspect reported infestations within 10 days of a 311 call and to publish results online. Zhuang said residents in Sunset Park and nearby neighborhoods are tired of waiting weeks or months for responses to rodent infestations that threaten public health. Her office hopes the bill will bring much-needed accountability to the city’s pest control system, particularly in working-class areas that experience chronic infestations with little follow-up.

Watermark Capital Secures $210M for Sunset Park Mixed-Use Development

GLOBEST: Watermark Capital, in partnership with Rubin Equities, has secured a $210 million loan to construct a 28-story mixed-use tower at 6208 Eighth Avenue in Sunset Park. The development will feature 497 residential units and 100,000 square feet of retail space. Amenities include a rooftop terrace, fitness center, yoga room, coworking spaces, screening room, and sauna. S3 Capital provided the loan, with Arrow Real Estate Advisors brokering the deal. The project reflects ongoing investment and development interest in the Sunset Park area.​

Parishioner's Vision Inspires Youth Rosary Movement at St. Michael’s Church

THE TABLET: Norma Andrade, a parishioner of St. Michael’s Church in Sunset Park, initiated the St. Michael’s Youth Rosary group three years ago after a dream about the Blessed Mother. The group meets most Friday nights at the Pope Francis Parish Center, engaging children aged 5 to 16 in praying the rosary and singing hymns. The initiative aims to teach children to honor the Virgin Mary through prayer, fostering a sense of community and spiritual growth among the youth. The group has grown from a few participants to around 25 children, reflecting its positive impact on the community.​

Special Election Set for Brooklyn’s 44th Council District

CITY & STATE NY: A special election is scheduled for March 25 to fill the vacant seat in New York City’s 44th Council District, encompassing areas such as Borough Park, Gravesend, Mapleton, Midwood, Homecrest, and parts of Sunset Park. The vacancy arose after former Council Member Kalman Yeger was elected to the Assembly. The candidates are Democratic State Senator Simcha Felder and Republican Heshy Tischler. Early voting has seen low turnout, with only 288 ballots cast six days into the period. The district's conservative leaning and recent political shifts make this a closely watched race.

Bike New York Relocates to Industry City to Expand Programs

COMMERCIAL OBSERVER: Bike New York, a nonprofit promoting cycling throughout New York City, has signed a 10-year lease for an 8,619-square-foot space in Sunset Park’s Industry City. This move from their previous location at the Brooklyn Navy Yard aims to support the expansion of their bicycle recycling program and other initiatives. The new facility will enhance programs like Earn-A-Bike, Kids Ride Club, and Recycle-A-Bicycle, which focus on sustainability and community engagement. The organization plans to activate a new bike path along the waterfront, enhancing connectivity and accessibility for the local community.​

Biden's Offshore Wind Legacy Faces Uncertainty Under Trump Administration

RECHARGE: The Biden administration approved 11 offshore wind projects totaling nearly 19 GW to transition the U.S. to renewable energy. However, the new Trump administration, known for its opposition to such initiatives, poses significant challenges to these projects. An executive order halting new offshore wind leases and permits raises concerns about the future of these developments. Projects like Vineyard Wind and SouthCoast Wind, which received last-minute approvals, face potential delays or cancellations. This shift threatens state climate goals and the burgeoning offshore wind industry, creating uncertainty for stakeholders and investors.

Trump Administration's Permit Freeze Stalls Offshore Wind Projects

THE CITY: President Trump's executive order has imposed a six-month halt on new federal leases and permits for offshore wind projects, disrupting the momentum of the U.S. wind energy sector. Major developers, including TotalEnergies, Shell, and Ørsted, are facing delays and financial setbacks, with Ørsted announcing a $1.7 billion impairment on its U.S. projects. This pause threatens the advancement of over 60 gigawatts of planned offshore wind capacity, jeopardizing clean energy goals and grid reliability along the East Coast. The industry, already challenged by high costs, now confronts increased uncertainty under the current administration's policies.​

MTA Schedules Open Houses for Interborough Express

6SQFT: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is organizing a series of open houses to discuss the proposed Interborough Express (IBX), a 14-mile transit project connecting Brooklyn and Queens, including Sunset Park. The first open house is scheduled for March 27 at the Queens Public Library in Ridgewood, Queens, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Subsequent sessions will be held on April 3 at South Shore High School in Canarsie, April 22 at Maimonides Medical Center in Borough Park, and May 8 at Renaissance Charter School in Jackson Heights. The IBX aims to utilize existing rail lines to link neighborhoods such as Sunset Park, Borough Park, and Jackson Heights, connecting to 17 subway lines and 51 bus routes, thereby reducing travel times and enhancing transit options. The project is currently in the planning stages, with light rail selected as the preferred mode of transit.

CALENDAR

• Thursday, March 27: Ode to a Cemetery: Photographing Green-Wood w/ Bethany Jacobson

• Thursday, March 27: Dialogue With Three Chords spring 2025 season begins

• Tuesday, April 22: Open Houses for Interborough Express in Borough Park

• Ongoing at Green-Wood Cemetery & Industry City