4 days ago
City of Yes protestors say no to homeless shelter and lithium storage facility
SHEEPSHEAD BAY, Brooklyn (PIX11) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams may call it his 'City of Yes' housing agenda, but hundreds of South Brooklyn residents are saying 'no, no, no!'
Close to 2,000 South Brooklyn residents marched in what they called the Battle for Brooklyn.
More Local News
One group of protesters gathered at the site of a proposed homeless shelter for 169 families at 2134 Coyle Street. They were joined by another group assembling at Flatbush and Quentin Road.
That group is saying no to what they call hazardous lithium-ion battery sites in residential areas. This dual protest converged at Kings Plaza and was organized by a group called New Yorkers First.
'The purpose was to make the City Council aware of the community surrounding us, that we're not going to take it anymore, this 'city of yes',' Ron Cantorino, the rally organizer, told PIX11 News.
The new battery energy storage project plant for Marine Park has residents worrying about safety, but the energy company, NineDot, says the existing power grid in Marine Park is extremely stressed.
Company officials at a hearing said it can safely store and release electricity without producing direct emissions or pollutants.
One of the speakers at the rally disagreed. 'There is no additional permitting, no additional oversight, it's been taken away from the community where these places are located,' Paul Graziano, an urban planning expert, told PIX11 News.
More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State
At least one resident of the nearby Sheepshead Houses, Brenda Wisdom, says the closed sidewalks, the constantly beating drums, and honking horns may be more of a problem than the future homeless shelter for families, which the City Department of Homeless Services says would not be a danger to the community.
'It doesn't bother me at all because they're pushing people out of their homes. Where are you supposed to go?' Brenda Wisdom, the neighbor, told PIX11 News.
The opening date for the homeless shelter is contingent on securing necessary construction permits and approvals from the city and state.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
