🌱 BQE Redesign Images Revealed + Crown Heights Chickens

Good morning, New York City!

• The city has some new plans to reimagine the BQE
• NYC agrees to pay a large settlement to 300 Black Lives Matter protestors in 2020
• Meet the chickens of Brooklyn

But first, today's weather: A couple of morning showers. High: 56 Low: 36.

Shoutout to the awesome local business that keeps this newsletter running:

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Here are the top five stories today in New York City:

1. The Department of Transportation has three new proposals to redesign the crumbling Brooklyn-Queens Expressway's cantilever section that passes under Brooklyn Heights. They all involve hiding the roadway with some form of parklands. Click to see renderings of the proposals. (New York City Patch)
2. The death rate at New York City jails was higher in 2021 and 2022 than any year since 2000, according to data obtained through a Freedom of Information request. That worked out to be 2.56 and 3.06 deaths per every 1,000 detainee respectively. (New York Daily News)
   • Meanwhile, the family of a Rikers Island detainee with diabetes who died from complications last May has filed a lawsuit alleging the Department of Corrections failed to perform necessary medical screenings. (New York Daily News)
3. The city has agreed to pay a $21,000 settlement to each of 300 protestors who claim NYPD officers beat and abused them during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020 in Mott Haven. It's believed to be the "highest ever paid to participants in a rally where mass arrests were made." The city and the NYPD did not admit to or deny any wrongdoing. (AMNY)
4. A majority — 58 percent — of New York City toddlers and infants haven't received the specialized therapies they're entitled to between 2018 and 2022, data released by the state controller shows. That's significantly higher than the 42 percent rate in the rest of the state. (Chalkbeat New York)
5. The neighborhood of Ridgewood, Queens saw a 62 percent reduction in rent-stabilized apartments — much higher than 10 percent citywide. Tenant advocates say landlords in the area are using the loophole of "substantial renovations" to deregulate at such a high rate. (THE CITY)

New York City pic of the day:

Remember to submit a photo from your neighborhood to newyorkcity@patch.com for a chance to be featured! We love skylines, bodega cats, coffee shops, streetscapes, parks and everything else that makes this city great.

Today in New York City:

• Chelsea Piers Fitness Yoga Class (7 a.m.)
• Anatomy of a Deal: MaryAnne Gilmartin and Michael Patrick Davidson — Fordham University School of Law (10 a.m.)
• PAWS NY Virtual Volunteer Orientation (5 p.m.)
• First Thursday art tour — DUMBO (6 p.m.)
• American Classical Orchestra Performs Healing Bach (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Four emergency medical workers in New York City were awarded $29,999 settlements, after they said the FDNY and city had reprimanded them for speaking to the media about working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. (Spectrum News NY1)
• Workers at the Rockefeller Center restaurant Lodi have voted not to unionize, after some stated their intent last month. (Eater NY)
• Here's an inside look at the NYPD's recent raids on unlicensed marijuana dispensaries. (New York Post)
• NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey recommended New Yorkers unmask when entering stores in order to identify themselves and help prevent robberies, in a reversal of pandemic-era norms. (Gothamist)
• In Crown Heights, there's a happy flock of 12 chickens that love playing tetherball with lettuce. (New York City Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Chronic Foot Pain Center - Dr. Robert Kornfeld — (Visit website)
• Silver Stars Fitness — (Visit Website)
• Church of the Heavenly Rest — (Visit website)
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Featured events:

• David Burke Goes Down Under with Five-Course Penfolds Wine Dinner (March 2)
• An Evening with the Indiana University Singing Hoosiers (March 2)
• The Walther Christian Academy Choir Performs a Lunchtime Concert (March 3)
• The Simon & Garfunkel Story (March 3)
• Death in New York Walking Tour (March 4)
• Kate Oh invites you to a Small Works Group Exhibition for the New York K-Art Festival! (March 4)
• The Psychiatric History of New York Walking Tour (March 4)
• Tony Newbury Live in Brooklyn with Special Guests. (March 4)
• Unlock Your True Potential- From Feeling Cursed to Confident In 6 Weeks (March 6)
• White Collar Support Group to Hold 350th Meeting (March 6)
• Organic Cold Process Soap Making Class NYC (March 7)
• NuHydration IV Drip Lounge and Mobile IV Service Announces New York City Location (March 8)
• Fine & Decorative Arts Auction | Jewelry | Artwork | Furniture | Silver (March 9)
• An Evening Of Repertoire In 2 Parts (March 11)
• Add your event

Featured job listings:

• Personal Assistant for Older New Yorkers in Manhattan (Details)
• Add your job listing

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! See you tomorrow morning for another update.

— Dashiell Allen

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming New York City Patch newsletter? Contact me at patchnyc@patch.com