KALAM'S BAZAAR SUPERMARKET WILL OPEN IN KENSINGTON

Kalam's Bazaar, a halal supermarket, will be opening at 69 Church Avenue. The soft opening will take place on Monday, August 31st.

 

Kalam's Bazaar's other store opened a year ago in Ozone Park. 

 

The store will carry produce, halal meats, fish, dairy, rice, beans, canned goods, international grocery items, and more. Get a sneak preview of the offerings as the shelves get stocked at https://www.instagram.com/reels/DcjDvRLMxo5/.

 

SNAP EBT, OTC, and all major credit/debit cards will be accepted.

 

Buzz-A-Rama was the previous occupant of that location.

 

Location

Kalam's Bazaar

69 Church Avenue

between Dahill Road and Story Street

Kensington, Brooklyn

info@kalamsbazaar.com  

https://www.facebook.com/p/Kalams-Bazaar-61575309077586/ 

 

BATTLE OF BROOKLYN 250TH ANNIVERSARY AT EAST FOURTH STREET COMMUNITY GARDEN (FREE)

 

Battle of Brooklyn 250 Retrospective 
Sunday, August 30th
3:00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.

 
From the East Fourth Street Community Garden:

The East 4th Street Community Garden will be hosting a Battle of Brooklyn 250 Retrospective on Sunday August 30th, 3-4.30 pm.

Join us as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of  the Battle of Brooklyn, with presentations and discussions with local experts, including Martin Maher (Brooklyn Parks Commissioner), Dominique Jean-Louis (Center for Brooklyn History), Megan J. Elias (Smithsonian Natural Museum of American History), and Lisa Guermsey (independent researcher/writer). 

Moderated by Stephen Petrus (LaGuardia Community College).
 
We hope you can join us for this free event.

Location

East Fourth Street Community Garden

171 E. 4th Street

between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue

Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

https://eastfourthstreetgarden.tumblr.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/246036418909475

 

ON PROSPECT AVENUE, FOUR TEN-STORY BUILDINGS WILL BE BUILT INSTEAD OF TWO

 

A property management company specializing in "high end luxury living" has filed permits for the construction of four ten-story buildings on the Arrow Linen site.

 

From Housing Not High-rises: 

 

Developer Files for 4 10-Story Buildings on Arrow Site

August 9, 2026

by hnhuser

 

At the end of July, the new developer for the apartment buildings on Arrow Linen’s site filed permits with the city to build 4 10-story apartment buildings on the Arrow Linen site, for a total of 396 units. The rezoning agreement was for 250 units in 2 10-story buildings.

 

Per this article in hoodline.com, “New Developer Splits Windsor Terrace Project into Four Towers, Dodges Wage Law“:

 

• The new developer, Developing NYS, has filed plans for 4 10-story, 99-unit buildings on the Arrow Linen site
• Building 99-unit buildings allows the developer to get around the requirement to pay “prevailing wages” for construction
• The property manager, Goose Properties (sister company to Developing NYS) hope to keep the project around 100 affordable units. If they do, that puts the project at 25% affordable units, rather than the 40% agreed in the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA).
• This almost doubles the density of the apartment buildings, and surely reduces the average size of the units.

The Construction Task Force, also stipulated in the CBA, has its first meeting on Tuesday, August 11.

 

CONCERTS ON PORCHES: TIMMY IVORIES & TIMMY BUTTONS, ALBERT MARQUES QUARTET, DAISY CASTRO

 

From Operation Gig!:

Timmy Ivories & Timmy Buttons Friday, August 28, 2026 · 6:00–8:00 PM 330 Westminster Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11218 We will start off the festivities with a sea shanty pub song set with Timmy Buttons (AKA Timmy Ivories) followed by the swingy honky tonk stylings of Timmy Ivories (AKA Timmy Buttons) featuring Sarah Klein, Taiga Davis and special guests!

Albert Marquès Quartet Saturday, August 29, 2026 · 4:00–6:00 PM 189 Argyle Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11218 Pianist @albertmarquespiano has played Operation Gig every year since the pandemic. He always brings something interesting and uplifting. "Known for his unique percussive style, blending rhythmic intensity with bold improvisation."

Daisy Castro Sunday, August 30, 2026 · 4:00–6:00 PM 188 Stratford Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11218 Daisy Castro and her trio bring an exciting exploration of originals, trad jazz, old country and world music.

--------------------------------

 

Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on weekends.

 

Concerts are canceled when weather conditions aren't suitable for outdoor activities. Before heading to a concert, check the Operation Gig! website to make sure it's still scheduled to take place.

  
The concert series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park since July 2020, was created in order to offer a venue for musicians to perform during the COVID-19 pandemic. The series provides them with a source of income as well as providing a safe space for neighbors to gather to enjoy live music.
 
The performances are free, but a suggested donation of $10--which goes directly to the musicians--is more than welcome. Donate either at the performance or online at the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund page on GoFundMe.

UPZONING ON MCDONALD AND CONEY ISLAND AVENUES FOR TALLER, DENSER BUILDINGS: COMMUNITY BOARD 12 SOUTH OF PROSPECT PARK PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

 

Community Board 12 

South of Prospect Park Planning Committee

Tuesday, August 25th

7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

 

From Beth Slepian, Chair, Community Board 12 South of Prospect Park Planning Committee:

 

Dear Neighbors and Friends of Community Board 12,

As a reminder, the next South of Prospect Park Planning Committee Meeting will be this Tuesday, August 25 at 7:00pm, at Community Board 12's Office: 5910 13th Avenue, and remotely on Zoom.

 

We invite you to attend and learn more as we begin our work together as a committee. While Tuesday's meeting will focus primarily on establishing our committee's role and goals, there will be an opportunity for public participation and community input, and we'd love to hear from you. All are welcome -- please join us! 

Zoom link HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81395922827

If you were able to attend our first meeting with the Department of City Planning (DCP) earlier this month, thank you for kicking off this process with us.

 

If you did not join us at our last meeting, there will be plenty of opportunities to stay engaged in the South of Prospect Neighborhood planning process, including at next week's meeting (and beyond). Please join us when you are able.

A few updates and resources ahead of Tuesday's meeting:

• While representatives from DCP will be present on Tuesday night, they will not be delivering a presentation. The meeting's focus will be on our work as a committee; however, we have asked DCP to be there to hear our comments and respond to committee-related questions. 

• For reference, our colleagues from DCP have shared the links below for more information on past neighborhood plans and the Commitments Tracker. 

• Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan
• Gowanus Neighborhood Plan
• East New York Neighborhood Plan
• NYC Rezoning Commitments Tracker  

• The video recording of our August 4th meeting is also forthcoming; once a link is available I will share that recording, along with recordings of future committee meetings. 

• MOST IMPORTANTLY: SAVE THE DATE! TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH: DCP will be hosting a public workshop to begin the neighborhood planning process. Please spread the word! We'd love to see a huge turnout. More details coming soon. 

• If you have not yet submitted the South of Prospect Survey, please do! You can complete it in English HERE, or in other languages on DCP's website.

We hope to see you on Tuesday night.

Warm regards,

Beth Slepian (she/her)
Chair, CB 12 Committee on South of Prospect Park Planning

 

A neighborhood-level plan has been proposed for Kensington, Prospect Park South, Borough Park, Ditmas Park, Parkville, Flatbush, Midwood, and Mapleton.  

 

The plan promotes upzoning, which will increase the neighborhoods' density and allow taller buildings, starting with McDonald Avenue, Coney Island Avenue, and the surrounding areas. See 

• "Taller Buildings and More Housing for McDonald Avenue, Coney Island Avenue, and Surrounding Areas, i.e., the Neighborhoods South of Prospect Park" https://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2026/06/taller-buildings-and-more-housing-for.html 

• "Upzoning Will Create Additional and Taller Housing on McDonald Avenue and Coney Island Avenue" https://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2026/07/upzoning-will-create-additional-housing.html

UPZONING ON CONEY ISLAND AVENUE FOR A TWELVE-STORY BUILDING

 

Public Hearing:

Upzoning 364 Coney Island Avenue

Wednesday, September 9th, 6:30 p.m. 

 

A developer has applied to build a twelve-story building at 364 Coney Island Avenue. The site is on the southeastern corner of the block bounded by Caton Place to the north, Coney Island Avenue to the east, Kermit Place to the south, and East 8th Street to the west (Google map).

 

364 Coney Island Avenue LLC, has applied to "map an MIH (Mandatory Inclusionary Housing) Area to facilitate a new 12-story plus cellar, 59,702 sq. ft. (7.2 FAR) mixed-use development including 2,872 sq. ft. of commercial use and 71 dwelling units (18 permanently income-restricted units pursuant to MIH Option 1)."

 

Under MIH Option1, "25% of the residential floor area is affordable to households earning an average of 60% of the AMI (Area Median Income), of which 10% shall be affordable to families earning 40% of AMI."

 

Brooklyn Community Board 7 will hold a public hearing on the upzoning application on Wednesday, September 9, at 6:30 p.m. in person, on Zoom, and on YouTube.

Agenda:
1. Presentation on land use application for 364 Coney Island Avenue on changing from an R5B District to a C4-4D District property bounded by the north east section of Kermit Place, 80 feet southwest of Coney Island Avenue, northeast centerline extension of Kermit Place, and 150 northeast of East 8th Street

2. Changing from a C8-2 District to a C4-4D District property bounded by Caton Place, Coney Island Avenue, Kermit Place, 80 feet southwest of Coney Island Avenue, northeast centerline extension of Kermit Place and 150 feet northeast of East 8th Street 

 

Following the public hearing, the CB 7's Land Use/Landmarks Committee will meet to discuss the application. The committee meeting is open to the public.

Written testimony will be accepted until Wednesday, September 9th, by noon. Submit it to CB 7

• by e-mail at bk07@cb.nyc.gov or
• by USPS mail at Community Board 7 Office, 4201 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11220.

You can attend the hearing 

• in person at CB 7's office or 
• register to attend it virtually on Zoom or
• view it on Community Board 7's YouTube channel.

 

Location (if attending in person)

Community Board 7 Office

4201 4th Avenue

entrance on 43rd Street and 4th Avenue

Sunset Park, Brooklyn

phone: (718) 854-0003

bk07@cb.nyc.gov

https://cbbrooklyn.cityofnewyork.us/cb7/ 

https://www.facebook.com/BrooklynCB7

MCDONALD AVENUE TWO-WAY PROTECTED BIKE LANE AND FEWER TRAFFIC LANES, 10TH AVENUE TO FORT HAMILTON PARKWAY: FEEDBACK WILL BE SOLICITED ON A REVISED PROPOSAL AT AN ONLINE MEETING

 

McDonald Avenue Bike Lane

Online Workshop

Wednesday, August 26th

6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

 

The public's input is wanted on a revised version of the original proposal for McDonald Avenue from 10th Avenue to Fort Hamilton Parkway.

 

That original proposal called for

• a two-way protected bike lane alongside Green-Wood Cemetery,
• two parking lanes,
• two traffic lanes, and
• a center lane for turns.

The bike lane would connect the existing protected bike lanes on 20th Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway, creating a continuous connection between the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway and Prospect Park. 

 

Presented to Community Board 7 in June 2025, that proposal was revised based on feedback from the public.

 

The revised proposal will be shared at an online workshop next Wednesday, and a new round of feedback will be solicited. The workshop will be held in advance of a future Department of Transportation presentation to Community Board 7. The date of that presentation hasn't been announced yet. 

 

Next week's workshop will be held on Wednesday, August 26th, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It will be online only, with participation either on Zoom or by phone.

 

Register for the New York City Department of Transportation workshop at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/qQ-4vSpdQKCxUkyZAchsGw#/registration. NYC DOT will send you an e-mail confirming your registration.

 

For details about the original proposal and previous meetings, see these KARMABrooklyn blog posts: 

• https://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2025/06/bike-lane-proposed-for-mcdonald-avenue.html  

• https://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2025/08/bike-lane-proposal-for-mcdonald-avenue.html.

CONCERTS ON PORCHES: TOM FITZGERALD AND COLIN FORHAN, MYCELIUM TRIO, AND LILA BLOOM

 

From Operation Gig!:

 

Tom Fitzgerald and Colin Forhan Friday, August 21, 2026 · 6:00–8:00 PM 1415 Dorchester Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11226 Canadian Grand Master fiddler Tom Fitzgerald presents a unique take on Celtic music alongside Colin Forhan, one of the leading sessions guitarists in the NYC traditional Irish music scene. Mycelium Trio Saturday, August 22, 2026 · 4:00–6:00 PM 121 Marlborough Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11226 Dan Loomis' Mycelium Trio "delivers songs from the American heartwood inside a groovy, infectious, heart-breakingly nostalgic neighborhood potluck of soul. Come spiritually hungry and leave full." Lila Bloom Sunday, August 23, 2026 · 4:00–6:00 PM 870 Ocean Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226 Lila Bloom is an OG favorite over the years. With a wide range of musical influences from Bjork, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, to Ella Fitzgerald, she makes music that is beautiful, mysterious, something you haven't heard before.

--------------------------------

 

Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on weekends.

 

Concerts are canceled when weather conditions aren't suitable for outdoor activities. Before heading to a concert, check the Operation Gig! website to make sure it's still scheduled to take place.

  
The concert series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park since July 2020, was created in order to offer a venue for musicians to perform during the COVID-19 pandemic. The series provides them with a source of income as well as providing a safe space for neighbors to gather to enjoy live music.
 
The performances are free, but a suggested donation of $10--which goes directly to the musicians--is more than welcome. Donate either at the performance or online at the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund page on GoFundMe.