WORLD WORLDWIDE USA New York NY New York City NYC the city THE CITY News Journal Update - Clinton Hill’s migrant neighbors, climate plan warning, Manhattan board deadline

 

Dear New Yorkers,

Last summer in Clinton Hill, a massive migrant shelter opened in a complex of converted warehouses on Hall Street. The shelter opened with no public announcement, and it has since grown to house around 3,000 people. Its presence has sent reverberations throughout the neighborhood.

Some have objected to the influx, lodging complaints with their local Councilmember and in a recent public meeting about trash, noise and loitering.

Meanwhile, inside the shelter, migrants report that conditions are tough. “You can’t sleep or rest, and at 6 a.m. they turn on the lights military-syle,” said Cristofer Hernandez, a 24-year-old father of two from Venezuela who lives in the shelter with his wife and children. Still, he remained grateful, adding, “We give thanks we have a roof over our heads here.”

At the local elementary and middle schools —  which had seen enrollment drop during the pandemic and through gentrification in Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy — more than 100 children were enrolled in days after families began moving into the shelters.

“If we don't have kids running through our building, learning in our building, we have no purpose,” said principal Kourtney Boyd. “It feels like we're doing the work that we were chosen to do.”

Parents and teachers at the school quickly realized both the arriving children and their parents lacked basic items, from winter coats to underwear. They first started emptying their own closets to donate clothing, then asked the wider community for help. Donations came pouring in.

But with the city’s new eviction notices, some children may be pulled from school.

Read more about the Hall Street shelter here.

Weather scoop by New York Metro Weather Friday's Weather Rating: 3/10. Cloudy, dreary and rainy to start the day. Warmer, with high temperatures near 50° F by this afternoon. The storm system moves by quickly, with improving conditions expected this afternoon and tonight. The vibes remain a bit unsettled today!

Our Other Top Stories

A federal watchdog has warned that the Army Corps of Engineers — which plans and builds federally funded flood mitigation around the country — is inadequately preparing for the effects of climate change in the five boroughs. The report lists 14 recommendations, including adding resilience into cost studies. Currently, the Army Corps is considering a controversial $52.6 billion coastal flood-protection plan that could remake waterfront areas of the city from Upper Manhattan to Jamaica Bay. Some view this new push from the watchdog’s report as having the potential to improve the plan as it moves forward. Today is the Manhattan deadline to join a local community board! Read THE CITY’s guide on how to do so here.

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Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Friday, Feb. 23: The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion, an ongoing show that celebrates colorful blooms and fashion. Free with admission at the New York Botanical Garden through April 21. Friday, Feb. 23: Kids Week: Clay Crafts, a workshop led by Urban Park Rangers in which kids can learn about how clay is made while creating art and tools. Free from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Fort Greene Park Visitor Center in Brooklyn. Saturday, Feb. 24: Introduction to Birdwatching Outings, a birding walk hosted by the Prospect Park Alliance and the Brooklyn Bird Club. Free from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., starting at the Prospect Park Audubon Center.

THE KICKER: Students at Juilliard are bringing to life the history of Seneca Village — a community of Black New Yorkers that was razed to build Central Park back in the 19th century — with a musical performance, reports Gothamist.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Friday.

Love,

THE CITY

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