Mayor Bloomberg announced that a 486,000 square foot center, dedicated to bioscience research, will be built at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park. The research center has received both city and state funds and is projected to generate 1,000 jobs. The first phase of the project is expected to be done by 2011.

Daniel Goldstein, the founder of Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, and last property owner on the Atlantic Yards site, agreed to vacate his apartment for a $3 million settlement. Under the conditions of the agreement, he must move by May 7, 2010. Mr. Goldstein also agreed to withdraw legislation that actively opposes the project. Goldstein said the majority of funds would pay for legal feeds.

The city has committed to supporting a grassroots movement to create a 14-mile greenway along Brooklyn's waterfront. Community stakeholders began this movement 12 years ago. The city's Department of Transportation will spearhead the project. $16 million city, state and federal funds have been slated for the Brooklyn Greenway.

Last Thursday officials from the Department of Transportation (DOT) joined with the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI) to host the first of four community workshops to plan the route for the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. Approximately 60 participants attended the meeting held at Borough Hall in Brooklyn.

On Monday March 22nd, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Governor David Paterson, and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, unveiled the opening of Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Pier 1, an 85-acre site, is the first phase of the park. Pier 6 is expected to open some time late spring 2010.

Mayor Bloomberg announced that $30 million from the Javits Center expansion project will help fund the City's construction of the 172-acre Brooklyn Bridge Park. The City will pay $55 million out of the $120 million needed to complete the park.

New York City and New York State have agreed to allow the city to complete the construction of Brooklyn Bridge Park. The two entities have been at odds regarding control of the park for several months. For the next fiscal year, the city is committing $55 million to the project and the state will continue to be involved in shaping the park. No opening date has been set for the park.

The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI) has submitted a Request For Qualifications with the Regional Plan Association to identify potential designers for a small pocket park along the Brooklyn Greenway route near the Brooklyn Naval Yard. The 1.7 acre parcel is the former site of the Brooklyn Naval Yard Hospital, along Williamsburg Street between Flushing and Kent Avenues.

Brooklyn Bridge Park landscape architect, Michael Van Valkenburgh, spoke to the Brooklyn Heights Association earlier this week. The designer noted that the park's grandeur encompassed the 800 acres of water beyond the 65 acre green area. He noted that Piers 1 and 6 should open shortly and that Pier 2 would feature recreational space.

This week the president of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation sought approval from a community board subcommittee for the planned Pier 4 at the Brooklyn Bridge Park. Construction of the pier will costs $10.8 million, but only one third of this amount has been secured thus far. Plans for the pier included a pedestrian walkway as well as an island wildlife sanctuary.