Friends,

From day one we've been saying that any process to rebuild the BQE must begin with engagement from local community members. And now just hours before we're set to host a major town hall with 1,000 of our neighbors joining with leading elected officials, experts, and community activists, the City has heard and acted on our request - announcing a new panel of experts to evaluate BQE reconstruction plans.

Our Executive Director Peter Bray had this to say about the city's new panel: "Ever since the City presented its proposals for rebuilding the BQE, the BHA has called for meaningful community involvement in the planning of this massive transportation project as part of a comprehensive and inclusive approach to involve those who will be most affected by the project. We are gratified that the City has now acknowledged our request by convening an outside panel of experts to take a fresh look at the project and evaluate all of the proposals that have been, or may be, submitted by the community, architects, engineers, and planners. The BHA is looking forward to working with the panel to help develop a new BQE plan that will serve the transportation needs of the region into the 21st century and will gain the broad support of the affected communities.”

Please remember to join us tonight at 7PM (doors open at 6:30) at Plymouth Church (57 Orange Street) for an event you won't want to miss, featuring:

-NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer
-NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson
-Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams
-NYC Council Member Stephen Levin
- Special presentation by the world-renowned architecture firm, Bjarke Ingels Group, on their new alternative to the city's BQE reconstruction plan

- Local community advocates and experts

Read Mayor de Blasio's Announcement

Read Daily News article on BIG's new alternative