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Bay Ridge is a neighborhood in the southwest corner of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, USA. The City of New York In New York City, a borough is a unique form of government which administers the five fundamental constituent parts that make up the consolidated city Brooklyn (named after the Dutch town Breukelen) is one of the five boroughs of New York City. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the It is bound by 65th Street on the north, Interstate 278 on the east, and the Belt Parkway-Shore Road on the west. Interstate 278 (abbreviated I-278) is an Interstate Highway in the U The Belt Parkway, also known as the Belt System or Circumferential Parkway, is a series of Limited-access highways that form a complete circle around the The southern border is 101st Street. The portion below 86th Street is a subsection called Fort Hamilton. Fort Hamilton is a neighborhood in the far southwestern corner of the New York City borough of Brooklyn. A small area east of I-278, bounded by 7th Avenue, is also part of Bay Ridge.

Contents

Life

Night lights of Verrazano Bridge, and around
Night lights of Verrazano Bridge, and around

Bay Ridge is a largely working class and middle class neighborhood. With its strong family presence, it is not uncommon to see third or fourth generation families living in the region. Bay Ridge has been known for its large Irish and Italian population, but like other areas in South/Southwest Brooklyn, it has recently seen a large influx of Russian immigrants, and a smaller amount of Chinese and Greeks. [1] The neighborhood is home to one of America's oldest Arab communities. . As far back as the 1850s, Lebanese Christians were immigrating to the neighborhood. . In recent decades, Arab Muslims from a large variety of countries have moved to Bay Ridge. Bay Ridge also has many international restaurants and bars, especially along 3rd and 5th Avenue, its main commercial strips. . Many refer to the community as "Brooklyn's Gold Coast. "

Educational institutions include; P.S. 102, P.S. 185 (Walter Kassenbrock Elementary School), P.S. 104 (called the Fort Hamilton School), I.S. 30 (also known as Mary White Ovington), Bay Ridge Preparatory School, Fort Hamilton High School, High School of Telecommunications, Poly Prep Country Day School, Visitation Academy, Adelphi Academy, Fontbonne Hall Academy, and Xaverian High School. Fort Hamilton High School (HS 490 is a public High school in Brooklyn New York, USA, under the jurisdiction of the New York City Department Polytechnic Preparatory Country Day School in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn, New York. Fontbonne Hall Academy is an all-girls private, Roman Catholic High school in Brooklyn. Xaverian High School is a private all-male College-preparatory school located in Brooklyn New York. Fort Hamilton High School was erected in the 1940's on the grounds of the former Crescent Athletic Club, an upper crust country club. The High School of Telecommunications was previously known as Bay Ridge High School, which was once an all-girls school. (Interestingly, Norwegian was taught in the school for many years due to the area's once-numerous Norwegian population. )

Typical street in Bay Ridge
Typical street in Bay Ridge

Bay Ridge also has a high elderly population. It has been called a NORC or a naturally-occurring retirement community because many of its families have grown-up in the neighborhood while their children move away. A retirement community, or active adult community, is a very broad generic term that covers many varieties of housing for retirees and seniors - especially designed or geared In 2006, it was reported that 20% of the population of Bay Ridge is 60 or over. [2]

Fort Hamilton, an active military base near the Verrazano Bridge, houses one of the neighborhood's few cultural attractions, The Harbor Defense Museum. Historic Fort Hamilton is located in the southwestern corner of the New York City borough of Brooklyn surrounded by the communities of Bay Ridge The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is a double-decked Suspension bridge that connects the boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn in New [3] Another popular neighborhood attraction is the 69th Street Pier, at Bay Ridge Ave. (aka 69th Street) and Shore Road. It features a sculpture that emits a beam of light as a memorial to those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks of September 11. Events 9 - The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul

The neighborhood is served by a variety of local newspapers, including The Home Reporter-Sunset News, The Spectator, The Bay Ridge Paper, The Bay Ridge Courier and The Bay Ridge Eagle .

Politics

Bay Ridge is a politically polarized community. Traditionally, Bay Ridge leans Republican and is recognized as politically Conservative; Mike Long, liquor-store owner and Chairman of the Conservative Party of New York, resides there. Conservatism in the United States includes a variety of political ideologies including Fiscal conservatism, Supply-side economics, Social conservatism The Conservative Party of New York is an American Political party active only in the state of New York. However, it has been known to elect Democrats to office as well, such as Councilman Vincent J. Gentile Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny and Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer. Vincent J Gentile is a member of the New York City Council representing District 43 which comprises portions of Dyker Heights, as well as the Southwest Brooklyn Alec Brook-Krasny ( Алик Брук-Красный) (born 1958 Moscow) is an American Jewish politician and the first Soviet-born Russian Janele Hyer-Spencer is a Democrat representing the New York 60th Assembly District which covers parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn. The neighborhood is also home to the Brooklyn Democrats for Change, an active liberal organization. Bay Ridge is represented in the New York State Senate by Marty Golden. The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms Martin J Golden is an American politician Career Elected to the New York State Senate in 2002 after defeating incumbent Vincent J

The neighborhood is served by Brooklyn Community Board 10. Brooklyn Community Board 10 is a local governmental body in the New York City borough of Brooklyn that encompasses the neighborhoods of

Development is a passionate issue for Bay Ridge residents, as in recent years they saw many of the decades-old two-family houses being demolished, replaced by condominiums known colloquially as "Fedder Homes", after the branded air-conditioners poking out from the buildings' facades. In 2005, local community leaders and community activists from across the political spectrum united to issue rezoning laws.

History

Bay Ridge was originally known as Yellow Hook,[1] for the yellowish soil the original Dutch settlers observed. This name was changed in the 1853 after yellow fever struck the area and residents realized what an ill fit it was given the circumstances. Yellow fever (also called yellow jack, black vomit or sometimes American Plague) is an acute viral disease [4][5] The new name was given due to the proximity of the neighborhood to New York Bay, excellent views of which were visible from the ridge that has now become Ridge Boulevard. New York Bay is the collective term for the marine areas surrounding the entrance of the Hudson River into the Atlantic Ocean. These views attracted wealthy people, who built extravagant summer homes along Shore Road overlooking the water, many of which are still standing today and worth multiple-millions of dollars. Once the 4th Avenue Subway (now the R line) was extended in 1915, however, many Manhattan workers looking for quieter surroundings began to flow in, transforming the area into a middle-class neighborhood. The R Broadway Local is a service of the New York City Subway. Manhattan Island, in New York Harbor, is much the largest part of the Borough of Manhattan, one of the Five Boroughs which form the City of New York

During the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, many Norwegian [2] and Danish sailors emigrated to Brooklyn, many specifically to Bay Ridge. Nordic heritage is still apparent in some sections of the neighborhood. For instance, there is an annual Norwegian Constitution Day Parade [3] featuring hundreds of people in folk dress who parade along Fifth Avenues, ending in Leif Ericson Park where "Miss Norway" is crowned at the statue of Ericson donated by the Prince of Norway in 1939. The Norwegian Constitution Day is the National Day of Norway and is an official national holiday each year

Construction of The Verrazano Bridge was completed in 1964. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is a double-decked Suspension bridge that connects the boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn in New Though now a totemic structure beloved by many, it was bitterly opposed by residents upon the announcement of its construction, for it would require the demolition of many homes. In a rare loss for local activists, the challenges failed: the bridge was built and the homes destroyed. Also destroyed was Fort Lafayette, part of New York City's defense system along with Fort Hamilton and Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island, replaced by the base of the bridge's east tower. Fort Lafayette was an Island coastal Fortification in New York Harbor, built next to Fort Hamilton at the southern tip of what is now Bay The City of New York Historic Fort Hamilton is located in the southwestern corner of the New York City borough of Brooklyn surrounded by the communities of Bay Ridge Fort Wadsworth is a United States military installation on Staten Island New York, situated on The Narrows which divide New York Bay into Staten Island (ˌstætənˈaɪlənd is a borough of New York City situated primarily on the island of the same name [6]

The Farrell House, which has been at 125 95th St. since the early twentieth century, is one of many old mansions in Bay Ridge, and is now an official landmark. An accompanying structure, thought to have been used as a barn, was unable to be saved and was demolished. Legend has it the house was turned so that its "widow's walk", a balcony that traditionally faces the sea so women left at home could watch for their husbands' ships, would no longer face The Narrows. See also Geography and environment of New York City The Narrows is the tidal Strait separating the boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn [7]

The area of the neighborhood around Ovington Avenue (aka 70th Street) was once known as "Ovington Village"; it was ultimately swallowed up as Bay Ridge.

On August 8, 2007, a tornado hit this area, specifically 68th and 69th streets between 3rd and 4th avenues. [8] Eleven houses had to be vacated after they suffered significant damage, and many of the trees on the two blocks toppled, landing on cars and stoops. The 4th Avenue Presbyterian Church had its very large stained glass window blown out. As the tornado lifted, it peeled the roof of a nearby Nissan dealership and deforested 40% of Leif Ericson Park. The tornado has been rated an EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with winds between 111 and 135 MPH. [4]

Transportation

The Verrazano Bridge.
The Verrazano Bridge.

The area is serviced by the R train of the Fourth Avenue line of the New York City Subway, with stations at Bay Ridge Avenue, 77th Street, 86th Street and 95th Street. The R Broadway Local is a service of the New York City Subway. The Fourth Avenue Line is a Rapid transit line of the BMT division of the New York City Subway, mainly running under 4th Avenue in the New York City The New York City Subway is a Rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, a subsidiary agency Bay Ridge Avenue is a station on the BMT Fourth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway, located at the intersection of Bay Ridge Avenue and Fourth Avenue 77th Street is a station on the BMT Fourth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. 86th Street is a station on the BMT Fourth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway, located at 86th Street and Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge Brooklyn Bay Ridge–95th Street (originally 95th Street–Fort Hamilton) is the southern Terminal station on the BMT Fourth Avenue Line of the New York City

Additionally, there are two MTA express buses which serve the Bay Ridge to Manhattan commute: the X27 serving lower Manhattan to 57th Street and the X37 serving 23rd Street to 57th Street. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority ( MTA) is a Public benefit corporation responsible for Public transportation in the U Lower Manhattan (or downtown Manhattan) is the southernmost part of the island of Manhattan, the main island and center of business and government of the 57th Street runs east-west in the New York City borough of Manhattan, from a New York City Department of Sanitation dock on the Hudson River 23rd Street is a large thoroughfare across the New York City borough of Manhattan. Many Bay Ridge commuters opt for the relative comfort and convenience of the express buses.

Bay Ridge is readily accessible by car, encircled by the Belt Parkway and Gowanus Expressway. The Belt Parkway, also known as the Belt System or Circumferential Parkway, is a series of Limited-access highways that form a complete circle around the The Gowanus Expressway is an Expressway in the Borough of Brooklyn, City of New York.

Misc. Facts & Trivia

69th Street Pier
69th Street Pier

Notable residents

Famous personalities out of Bay Ridge include

References

  1. ^ http://www.city-data.com/zips/11209.html
  2. ^ "Counting Graying Heads. " The New York Times. January 1, 2006 p6(Local)
  3. ^ Harbor Defense Museum
  4. ^ http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=151
  5. ^ If You're Thinking of Living In/Red Hook; Isolated Brooklyn Area Starts to Awaken, The New York Times, June 10, 2001
  6. ^ The definitive history of the building of the bridge is Gay Talese's The Bridge, more information on which can be found here: http://www.gothamgazette.com/books/bridge.php
  7. ^ An extensive history of the house can be found here: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D02E5DA163FF934A2575BC0A961958260
  8. ^ Photos and a story of the aftermath of the Bay Ridge tornado can be seen here: http://www.brooklynrowhouse.com/node/89
  9. ^ Step Streets, accessed February 26, 2007
  10. ^ Thomas Jr. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1190 - Third Crusade: Frederick I Barbarossa drowns in the Sally River while leading an army to Jerusalem Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 747 BC - Epoch (origin of Ptolemy 's Nabonassar Era 364 - Valentinian I is proclaimed Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. , Thomas. "Questions Grow About a Top CNBC Anchor", The New York Times, February 12, 2007. Events 1429 - English Forces under Sir John Fastolf defend a supply convoy carrying rations to the army besieging Orleans from attack by the Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Accessed October 13, 2007. Events 54 - Nero ascends to the Roman throne 409 - Vandals and Alans crossed the Pyrenees Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. "And while much has been made of her Sophia Loren-like looks, her early career ascent was propelled by pluck, ambition and like another famous, albeit fictional, product of Bay Ridge, Tony Manero in “Saturday Night Fever,” a hunger to make it big across the river in Manhattan. "
  11. ^ Lambert, Bruce. " Chuck Connors, Actor, 71, Dies; Starred as Television's 'Rifleman'", The New York Times, November 11, 1992. Events 308 - The Congress of Carnuntum: Attempting to keep peace within the Roman Empire, the leaders of the Tetrarchy declare Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Accessed October 9, 2007. Events 768 - Carloman I and Charlemagne are crowned Kings of The Franks. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. "Despite his western image, Mr. Connors was born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. "

External links

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