![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BBP-BDS1-900x648.png\")
<\/p>\nBrooklyn\u2019s biggest stories of the week: the Park Slope Food Co-op votes two-to-one to boycott Israeli products, ending a debate that began in 2009; the DOE confirms a fresh wave of 3K seats at PS 110 and Kuei Luck Early Childhood Center in Greenpoint, with more on the way in Boerum Hill; Mayor Mamdani unveils a $22 billion \u201cBlock by Block\u201d housing plan in Gowanus; the City Council Land Use Committee takes up the 1,150-unit Monitor Point project on the Greenpoint waterfront; the ninth annual DUMBO Drop sends thousands of parachuting elephants over Washington Street; the Bay Ridge Street Fair and the Brooklyn Film Festival close out the month; Danny Meyer signs on to the long-stalled Bossert Hotel revival in Brooklyn Heights and a new Mexican concept moves into the old Gran Electrica corner in DUMBO; the Liberty host Phoenix at Barclays for Pride Night; and a rare Mississippi Kite drifts over Prospect Park. Read on for the latest!<\/p>\n
Brooklyn Politics
\nPark Slope Food Co-op Votes 2-to-1 to Boycott Israeli Products<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Park Slope Food Co-op \u2014 at more than 17,000 members the largest and oldest member-owned grocery store in the world, and a Brooklyn institution since 1973 \u2014 voted Tuesday May 26 to boycott Israeli goods and products made in the occupied Palestinian territories, ending a campaign first launched at the co-op in 2009. The three-hour meeting capped a debate that intensified during Israel\u2019s war in Gaza. The final tally was 67% in favor, 31% against, and 2% abstaining. A small basket of items will come off the shelves, in line with the broader boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement\u2019s stance: some produce, several brands of tahini, olive oil, and hair-care products. The measure says the boycott will hold until Israel ends what its text calls discriminatory treatment of Palestinians in any territory under Israel\u2019s control. The co-op hired security guards this week after receiving threats and suspicious substances in the mail. Lead organizer Alyce Barr, a co-op member since 1978, invoked the co-op\u2019s founding pledge to \u201cavoid products that depend on the exploitation of others.\u201d Park Slope\u2019s Rabbi Rachel Timoner, who led the anti-boycott campaign, called it \u201ca really sad night for a lot of Jews in Park Slope\u201d and said she planned to resign her co-op membership.<\/p>\n
Schools
\nA New Wave of 3K Seats Lands in Greenpoint<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BBP-Borum-hill-prek-900x604.png\")
<\/p>\n
The Department of Education confirmed this week it\u2019s adding 3K classrooms at PS 110 and Kuei Luck Early Childhood Center, both opening in September \u2014 a direct response to Greenpoint families who pulled placements far from home in this year\u2019s lottery. The new Atlantic Avenue Early Childhood Education Center and a 3K classroom at PS 38 in Boerum Hill round out the expansion. More 3K news is expected.<\/p>\n
City Hall
\nMamdani\u2019s \u201cBlock by Block\u201d Plan: 400,000 Homes, $22 Billion<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BBP-block-by-block-900x540.png\")
<\/p>\n
At Powerhouse Arts in Gowanus on Tuesday May 26, Mayor Mamdani unveiled his signature housing plan: 200,000 new rent-stabilized homes and 200,000 preserved across the next decade, backed by a historic $22 billion capital investment. The plan also includes the largest NYCHA capital investment in decades \u2014 $5.6 billion over five years \u2014 and a $75 million loan fund to help 300 renters convert their apartments into co-ops over the next two years.<\/p>\n
Monitor Point Goes Before the Council<\/p>\n
The City Council\u2019s Land Use Committee held a hearing Wednesday May 27 on Gotham Organization\u2019s proposed 1,150-unit Monitor Point development at 40 Quay Street, on MTA-owned land along the Greenpoint waterfront. The developer raised the affordable share to 40%, but Council Member Lincoln Restler is holding out for a clear majority of affordable units \u2014 plus an ironclad timeline and funding commitment for the long-promised remaining acres of Bushwick Inlet Park.<\/p>\n
A Bigger Bed for Your Block\u2019s Tree<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BBP-tree-bed-900x645.png\")
<\/p>\n
Council Member Restler and Trees New York launched a tree-bed expansion program in District 33 this week: residents can nominate a tree on their block, and crews will cut into the concrete to enlarge the bed, repair the sidewalk, and remove any Belgian blocks. Bigger beds mean healthier trees, better stormwater absorption, and fewer ripped sidewalks. Priority goes to beds near schools, parks, and playgrounds.<\/p>\n
Events & Entertainment
\nThousands of Elephants Drifted Over DUMBO Friday<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BBP-Dumbo-drop-2026-1-900x665.png\")
<\/p>\n
The ninth annual DUMBO Drop returned Friday May 29 with two airdrops of parachuting toy elephants \u2014 5 PM and 7 PM \u2014 from the rooftops along Washington Street. Tickets ($18.75+) included a souvenir elephant, sweepstakes entry, and access to the pre-Drop block party with food, live music, and crafts. All proceeds benefit PS 307 and Dock Street School.<\/p>\n
Bay Ridge Street Fair Takes 5th Avenue Sunday<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BBP-Bay-Ridge-Street-Fair-874x675.png\")
<\/p>\n
Sunday May 31, 10 AM to 6 PM, 5th Avenue between 69th and 85th becomes a free day-long fair: food vendors, kid stuff, and the usual neighborhood pour-out.<\/p>\n
Brooklyn Film Festival Wraps Up at the Wythe<\/p>\n
The Brooklyn Film Festival closes out two weeks of programming with its final in-person showings at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Saturday May 30 and Sunday May 31 at 4, 6, and 8 PM. All BFF films also stream online through June 7. Schedule here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Greenpoint Open Studios Opens 240 Doors<\/p>\n Saturday and Sunday May 30 and 31, noon to 6 PM, 240 creative spaces across Greenpoint open to the public \u2014 meet the artists, browse the work, take the kids. A free neighborhood art crawl.<\/p>\n McCarren Volunteer Day and Block Party<\/p>\n Saturday May 30, 10 AM to 2 PM at McCarren Park: tree care, trash pickup, games. A community trash sweep meets at Driggs at 11 AM. Family-friendly volunteering with a block-party finish.<\/p>\n A New Home for the Brooklyn Heights Community Fridge<\/p>\n The Zion German Evangelical Lutheran Church is welcoming the relocated Brooklyn Heights community fridge in front of its building at 125 Henry Street. Neighbors gather Sunday May 31 from 1 to 3 PM to celebrate. Volunteer sign-ups for stocking and cleaning are open.<\/p>\n Openings A new restaurant from Danny Meyer\u2019s Union Square Hospitality Group is coming to the historic Bossert Hotel in Brooklyn Heights \u2014 the strongest signal yet that the long-stalled revival of the 1909 landmark is finally taking shape. Cuisine, name, and opening date are still firming up. More details in our writeup<\/a>.<\/p>\n A New Mexican Concept Lands the Old Gran Electrica Corner<\/p>\n A new Mexican restaurant is moving into the long-vacant DUMBO corner at Front and Old Fulton Streets where Gran Electrica shuttered after more than a decade as a neighborhood mainstay. Operators, menu, and opening timing are still emerging.<\/p>\n Sports Sabrina Ionescu made her season debut Sunday May 25 as the Liberty fell 91\u201376 to Dallas, leaving the home team at 3\u20133 on the early season; Breanna Stewart was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week earlier in the month. The Liberty hosted Phoenix at Barclays Friday night for Pride Night.<\/p>\n On the Diamond<\/p>\n The Cyclones opened a six-game homestand against the Wilmington Blue Rocks at Maimonides Park with a 6\u20130 shutout Tuesday May 26 \u2014 a clean break. Wednesday\u2019s rematch went the other way, 7\u20136, on a Voit homer off the batter\u2019s eye. The series runs through Sunday.<\/p>\n On the Pitch<\/p>\n Brooklyn FC men close out a road stretch Sunday May 31 at Sporting JAX, with a 2 PM ET kickoff at Hodges Stadium. The women\u2019s team wrapped its inaugural USL Super League season earlier this month.<\/p>\n Brooklyn Wildlife A Mississippi Kite \u2014 a small, elegant southern raptor rarely spotted in New York \u2014 was confirmed soaring over the Prospect Park ballfields, with a second sighting the same day in Sunset Park. Birders pinged each other for hours.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BBP-Geenpoint-Open-Studios-900x505.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BBP-Community-fridge-900x574.png\")
<\/p>\n
\nDanny Meyer Signs On to the Bossert Hotel Revival<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BBP-Danny-Meyer-900x500.png\")
<\/p>\n
\nOn the Court<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BBP-Liberty-may-29-900x513.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BBP-Cyclons-may-29-900x407.png\")
<\/p>\n
\nA Mississippi Kite Drifts Over Prospect Park<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-29-at-10.21.48-PM-900x543.png\")
<\/p>\n