June 1, 2017

Mr. Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP

Commissioner
NYC Department of Parks and Recreation
830 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10065

RE: Park incursions by Fortis Property Group to Van Voorhees Park, Henry Street Parks,
and the Pacific Street easement at the former Long Island College Hospital campus.

Dear Commissioner Silver:

We write to express our serious concern about the parks near the former site of Long Island College
Hospital (LICH) in Brooklyn, as a result of actions by Fortis Property Group. Given this developers
troubling history of seeking to privatize space that is required by law to be accessible to the public,
we respectfully request that the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) review
and enforce Fortiss compliance with current maintenance obligations. Additionally, we urge you to
exercise the highest level of scrutiny when considering any future proposals for renovations put
forward by Fortis.

Henry Street Parks

As you know, the former LICH campus site encompasses three well-used parks: Henry Street I (also
known as the blue and yellow playground), Henry Street II (a toddler playground), and Henry
Street III (a sitting area).

We are concerned that Fortis is not meeting its legal obligations, as outlined in the Restrictive
Declaration, signed by DPR, to adequately maintain the three Henry Street Parks as well as the
easement on Pacific Street, from Henry to Hicks Streets. Constituents have reported a number of
complaints, including: failure to replace damaged or missing play equipment, failure to remove
dangerous protrusions in the play surface, and failure to repair the drainage system, in addition to a
lack of regular cleaning and debris removal services.

In addition, there has been a complete lack of transparency about any plans for the future of these
parks. It is our understanding that any alteration of these parks must be approved by DPR, in
consultation with local elected officials, the Community Board, civic associations, and neighbors.
However, to our knowledge, Fortis has not communicated with any public official in connection to
any changes to these parks.

Upper Van Voorhees Park

In addition to the Henry Street Parks, the LICH site is immediately adjacent to Upper Van Voorhees
Park.
We were therefore quite surprised to read in marketing materials and a press release from Fortis last
month that the developer intends to rebrand the area as River Park and describes it as fronting a
newly re-envisioned park. A spokesperson for Fortis also issued a statement to Curbed New York,
pointing to the existing park space surrounding and within the site, which Fortis will only enhanced
[sic] and beautify.

Fortis has no right to unilaterally re-envision, enhance, beautify, or otherwise change this park. If it is
interested in contributing to renovations or improvements, any proposals they make must be
considered through a fully public process. Fortiss presumption that this public park will become part
of its development scheme is misguided and deeply disturbing.

We respectfully request that DPR review and enforce Fortiss compliance with current maintenance
obligations and urge you to exercise the highest level of scrutiny when considering any future
proposals for renovations put forward by Fortis. We would appreciate the opportunity to meet with
you and your staff to discuss the appropriate procedures through which we can together address these
matters, which are of great concern to the Cobble Hill community.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Should you require any further information, please
contact Catherine Zinnel in the Office of New York City Council Member Brad Lander at 718-499-
1090 or czinnel@council.nyc.gov.

Sincerely,

Brad Lander Letitia James Scott Stringer

New York City Council Member New York City Public Advocate New York City Comptroller

Eric L. Adams Nydia M. Velzquez Daniel Squadron

Brooklyn Borough President Member of Congress New York State Senator

Jo Anne Simon
New York State Assembly Member

CC: Mr. Martin Maher, Borough Commissioner for Brooklyn, New York City Department of
Parks & Recreation
Mr. Ty Beatty, Assistant District Manager, Brooklyn Community Board 6
Ms. Amy Breedlove, President, Cobble Hill Association