Bay Ridge, all set to stand tall

With the increase in immigrants, the demographics of the Bay Ridge area in Brooklyn is all set to change.

In order to enable smooth standard of living for the native residents and ensure development of city’s infrastructure, the Town Planning Department has proposed new zoning regulations and has made amendments to the new Bay Ridge Community District (BRCD). Finally, it looks like the residents’ wish to see a modern and developed Bay Ridge is turning out to be a reality.

The new zoning regulations will curb haphazard growth of the existing blocks in Bay Ridge and will allow for new blocks to come up. With amendments to the City Development Act proposing to bring to books those violating the zoning regulations, a majority of old timers are heaving a sigh of relief.

A separate colony has also been proposed for the immigrants where permission will be extended to only detachable homes. Hopefully, this ensures retain the character of the residential neighbourhood.

I am overwhelmed at the Mayor’s gesture in granting permission to set up schools to teach native languages of immigrants from various corners of the world. With this, Bay Ridge gets the distinction of becoming the first city in USA to support such a cause.

There are hopes of further improvement to the city with American president Barack Obama recently announcing a slew of development projects in Bay Ridge and neighbouring cities. However, people of Bay Ridge are also worried at the fact the two architectural marvels in their city – Hamilton Fort and the Green Church, may get lost in the ruins with modern structures raising their heads in the city. Let’s hope that the development of Bay Ridge area will do less harm to its old architecture and retain the old charm.