Red Hook

Mayor Bloomberg Met With Red Hook’s Business Owners This Afternoon

Bloomberg, with Monica Byrne (left) and others.
Bloomberg, with Monica Byrne (left) and others. Photo: Lauren Leonardi

An hour ago, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn paid a visit to Fort Defiance in Red Hook to meet with a group of small business owners, among them a representative of Fairway market, Home/Made owner Monica Byrne, and St. John Frizell, who owns the bar. The mayor asked the assembled group what they felt it would take to rebuild the neighborhood, which was damaged extensively by Sandy. Byrne, who helped spearhead the fund-raising group Restore Red Hook, said that most area businesses suffered, on average, $50,000 of damage apiece. Bloomberg and Speaker Quinn, who have separately visited the damaged Brooklyn neighborhood during the last few weeks, said they are seeking input from the community with regard to what the administration can do to expedite recovery in the neighborhood. The business owners want to promote the message that businesses are coming back and, despite the lingering effects of the storm, that Red Hook is still open for business. [Earlier]

Mayor Bloomberg Met With Red Hook’s Business Owners This Afternoon