Friday, April 1, 2011

Markowitz's Controversial Seaside Park/Asser Levy Concerts Moving This Summer

Update:


The city has agreed to move Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz's Summer Concert Series from Asser Levy/Seaside Park this summer. The new location is expected to be announced this week. City sources tell us the parking lot of the New York Aquarium is not one of the two locations being considered. The next scheduled court conference regarding the lawsuit is on April 7, 2011. - Geoffrey Croft


Brooklyn


NY1 has learned exclusively that Brooklyn's Seaside summer concert series, traditionally held in Coney Island's Asser Levy Park may be moving to a new location.


A brainchild of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, the concerts have been attacked by some residents for being too noisy….and too close to several synagogues in the area.


Sources say other possible locations for the concerts include the parking lot of the New York Aquarium. The concerts have been held in Asser Levy park since 1991.


NY1 News - March 31, 2011

New York Post - The Brooklyn Blog - April 1, 2011 - By Rich Calder

New York Daily News - April 1, 2011 - By Erin Durkin

The Brooklyn Paper - April 1, 2011 - By Alex Rush


Background


A lawsuit was filed on June 17, in Brooklyn Supreme Court on behalf of two synagogues seeking to prevent the City of New York and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz from violating a long-time law forbidding amplified concerts within 500 feet of a house of worship, schools, hospitals, and courthouses. On June 29th, 2010, the City Council passed a bill which excluded Asser Levy/Seaside Park from the law. The bill to change the existing law was hastily introduced by Queens Council Member Peter Vallone at the request of Mayor Bloomberg The amendment was a clear end-run around the existing law. Since 1991 Mr. Markowitz has sponsored an annual concert series in Asser Levy/Seaside Park, in Brighton Beach Brooklyn.

In violation of the law, these concerts have coincided with the hours of worship of Plaintiff Congregation Sea Breeze Jewish Center and with the hours of worship of Plaintiff Congregation Temple Beth Abraham. The two synagogues are approx. 300 feet away.

The suit was brought against defendants the City of New York and Brooklyn Borough President, Martin Markowitz, with regard to the violation of Title 10, Chapter 1, Section 10-108 (g) of the New York City Administrative Code, and Title 38, Chapter 8, Section 8-06 of the Rules and Regulations of the City of New York (together, the “Code”), which prohibit the use of electronic sound amplification equipment at any location within 500 feet of houses of worship during hours of worship. Plaintiffs are directly and adversely affected by the Defendants’ annual operation of the Parks Department band shell in Asser Levy Park, which comes within 500 feet of Plaintiffs’ houses of worship, as a concert and event venue using electronic sound amplification equipment.

Electronic sound amplification equipment is used during the concerts. Mayor Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz want to build a $64 million, eight thousand seat amphitheater in Asser Levy/Seaside Park, right across the street from Sea Breeze Jewish Center and Temple Beth Abraham. - Geoffrey Croft


Read More:


Markowitz's Hoping to Continue To Use "Chain Gang" For Concert Series

A Walk In The Park - August 26, 2010


A Walk In The Park - August 16, 2010

A Walk In The Park - August 19, 2010

A Walk In The Park - July 24, 2011

A Walk In The Park - July 13, 2011 - By Geoffrey Croft

A Walk In The Park - July 1, 2010

A Walk In The Park - June 25, 2010

3 comments:

  1. As usual two competing factions are only looking out for their own agendas and not considering the needs or wishes of the majority. On one hand a VERY small minority wants to pray in quite, and on the other hand the city wants to rip off taxpayers by building an unneeded amphitheater, and charge money for what would otherwise be free events. Shame on both side!

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  2. What about having the concerts in Bay Ridge at 98th Street and Shore Road football field where they used to have concerts. My friends and I used to go to all of the concerts when they had them there.

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  3. I totally disagree with having to move the concerts because of 'religious' sites nearby. We don't live nor should we be forced to live according to anyone's religion activities. If that is your business, fine. For 20 years these concerts have been held in the park. That said, moving the crowd close to the 'entertainment' district could be good for all including Luna and Deno's. Why not set a stage on a small portion of the boardwalk and have patrons sit on towels like they do for the fireworks? Speakers would then be directed toward the ocean. Problem solved. No chairs needed.

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