Patrick Halladay

50 Kent Avenue Tagged As Concert Space

The Open Space Alliance of North Brooklyn (OSA) is moving its popular outdoor concert series to 50 Kent Avenue, a section of the eventual site of Bushwick Inlet Park. 50 Kent will be OSA’s 3rd venue in 6 years, following a 3-year stint at McCarren Park Pool with 3 years at East River State Park. The move follows several complaints from neighbors regarding noise and rowdy post-concert crowds.

According to OSA board-member Adam Perlmutter, “It’s a better site from the noise and crowd perspective and doesn’t use an active park…It’s roughly the same dimensions as [our previous] pool and state park [sites]…[And] it takes the concert perimeter from North 8th Street [on Kent Avenue] to North 11th.”

The site is a city-owned asphalt parking lot bought two years ago from the Department of Sanitation. According to OSA Executive Director and New York City Park Department’s Administrator for North Brooklyn Parks Stephanie Thayer, ‘It’s ready to go.’ Ms. Thayer expects the venue’s capacity will be approximately 6,500 to 7,500 people.

On Wednesday, October 5th, Thayer appeared before Community Board 1 to announce the move to 50 Kent. She downplayed the community’s complaints, stating “It’s important that we’re looking for another site and turning it into something to satisfy the neighborhood.”

The concert series moved to East River State Park when construction began on McCarren Pool. Last year’s performances, which included OSA’s first orchestral show, children’s show and comedy show helped raise approximately $250,000 to improve North Brooklyn’s parks.

CB 1 3rd Vice Chair and liaison to OSA, Del Teague, believes that the concerts may have found a permanent resting place. “They really need to be smart about this,” she said. “[OSA] needs to use discretion and work with the community and if they do, then I think [the concerts might stay.]”

Following the presentation, several residents expressed doubt in OSA’s plan. Alma Savoia questioned the community’s faith in OSA: “’Working with the board?’ How about working with the community for 2012?”

“I am still baffled why the New York State Parks Department can’t run their own business… OSA is great and what they do is nice but why [is it necessary]?” wondered John Ricco. “I hope OSA does what it can to quell [community abuse].”

OSA will hold a public meeting on October 20th to answer community concerns about the relocation of the concerts. CB1 Chairman Chris Olechowski suggested that OSA use the meeting as an opportunity to discuss OSA financials with the community, as well. The meeting will take place at 6:30 PM at the Swinging 60’s Senior Center located at 211 Ainslie Street.

Share