Important Spring Events and May Deadlines Approach!

In this issue:

1. Two Community Forums with Congressional Candidates Rep. Daniel Goldman and Brad Lander Happening on May 16 and 20.
2. BMT News: CSWA BMT Committee shares a CSWA Member Template for DSOW Comments as the May 8th deadline for comments nears; April 30 BMTDC meeting book now available online.
3. Rabble Rousers, an inspiring documentary about neighborhood organizing on the Lower East Side, to be screened at Jalopy Theatre on Wednesday, May 13.
4. Our May 4 Community Listening Session a big success!

Coming Up: Two Community Forums with Congressional Candidates Rep. Daniel Goldman and Brad Lander

CSWA and the Carroll Gardens Association (CGA) are hosting separate community forums with NY 10's congressional candidates for Congress, Representative Daniel Goldman and Brad Lander. Both forums will be held in the Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen Community Room (125 Summit Street, Brooklyn).

• Representative Dan Goldman's forum will be on Saturday May 16 from 1:00 PM-2:00 PM.
• Candidate Brad Lander's forum will be on Wednesday, May 20 from 5:00-6:00 PM.
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The purpose of the forums is for community members to hear each candidate's views on neighborhood issues. These will be non-partisan community forums. The associations do not support or oppose any candidate. We will have a moderator ask the candidates your previously-summited questions. Additionally, postcards will be provided at the meeting for other questions that will be handed over to the moderator.

You can submit your questions and concerns for the candidates here.

Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) News: Community Comments on the BMT Draft Statement of Work Due Tomorrow, May 8!

Thanks to all of you who commented on the CSWA BMT Committee's draft consolidated commentary document. We've incorporated all your feedback into the final version, which we submitted on Monday, May 4. Our BMT Committee has prepared a CSWA Member Template for DSOW Comments you can use to create your own comments. Special thanks to committee member Joey McDonald for creating the template and incorporating committee feedback.

CSWA pressed EDC to make the full RFEI responses available to the public, where possible. We believe the details of these responses could generate more questions and comments for the Draft Statement of Work. As of today, EDC has not done so.

Upcoming Deadline!

As a reminder, Friday, May 8 is the deadline to submit BMT CEQR Scoping written commentary. You can submit your commentary to Emily Spokowski (espokowski@moec.nyc.gov).

BMTDC April 30 Meeting Book Now Available

On Thursday, April 30, the BMTDC held its first meeting of 2026 at Brooklyn Borough Hall. You can download the board book from that meeting here.

Rabble Rousers Screening and Panel

Join us at a screening of Rabble Rousers, the inspiring documentary about a group of neighbors on the Lower East Side who organized and fought for decades to save their neighborhood—and succeeded. CSWA is sponsoring the screening along with the CGA, the Southwest Brooklyn Tenant Union, Save63Tiffany and the New Economy Project. The screening will be held on Wednesday, May 13 at 6:30 PM at Jalopy Tavern. Scan the QR code below or visit tinyurl.com/swbtu51326 to RSVP.

About Rabble Rousers

The 50 year David vs Goliath fight by a community that wouldn't quit and because of that, they won! They fought Robert Moses, the real estate industry and five mayors to create the first Community Land Trust in New York City.
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​Rabble Rousers tells the story of how a working mother, Frances Goldin, and her neighbors fought back for over five decades against NYC’s 1959 “slum clearance plan” that would displace 2,400 working class, immigrant families, and small businesses from the Lower East Side. Forming the Cooper Square Committee (CSC) which evolved into the state’s first community land trust, today the Cooper Square Land Trust (CSLT) is a diverse, permanently affordable neighborhood in the heart of the “real estate capital of the world”.

​Watch the trailer​

Great Turnout Monday Night at Our Neighborhood Listening Session about the Yet-to-be Opened Pre-K

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Neighbors got together at Jalopy Theatre this past Monday, May 4 to discuss the yet-to-be-opened pre-K at Van Brunt and President St. We had a great turnout and conversation. Thanks to CSWA Family Committee members Zoe Grover, Jessica Setton, and Zach Hetrick for planning and presenting a fabulous and effective program!

We were excited to be joined by Council Members Shahana Hanif and Alexa Avilés, and the incredible staff members of the offices of Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes, and Brad Lander. We were also joined by members of the media and local PTA members.

We can all support the Family Committee's efforts by sending a postcard/note to D15 Superintendent Alvarez asking him to open the pre-K center.

See photos and video of the event here.

Questions? Email us at admin@columbiastreetwaterfront.org. Also, please share our mailing list sign-up page with your friends and neighbors: Columbia Street Waterfront Association Email List.

Media Contact:​
Randy Gordon, President
Columbia Street Waterfront Association, Inc.
Phone: 917-593-2674
Email: admin@columbiastreetwaterfront.org​​