A proposed elementary school on Franklin Street officially got the green light, the School Construction Authority shared in a recent press release. Construction will commence on a new school at 257 Franklin Street, a 20,000-square foot site that will offer 450 new seats.

For 15 years, the School Construction Authority has eyed the site for a future elementary school, but plans were halted to allow for remediation on the nearby NuHart Plastics Superfund site. As remediation wrapped up, the SCA revived those plans and presented them in community town halls and to Brooklyn’s Community Board 1. The SCA says that the site at 257 Franklin checks all the boxes that they need for a new school — street frontage on Franklin and Dupont that allows for easy access for families and school buses, and in a location underserved by local schools (the closest public elementary schools are about a 20-minute walk away). The Greenpoint Landing area has also seen massive population growth over the past decade.

“The building is expected to be a five-to six-story structure featuring a play yard, full air conditioning, ADA accessibility, along with an all-electric design to enhance sustainability,” the SCA shared. “Additionally, the school will serve as a valuable community resource, potentially functioning as a voting site, meal distribution center, and cooling center during the summer months.”

CB1 passed an unanimous resolution in support of the plan, but some community members still feel anxious about being so close to the NuHart Superfund site.

A hydraulic barrier was installed under the corner of Franklin and Dupont streets in 2023, which the SCA says prevents the migration of future contaminants from the NuHart site (which the SCA stressed were a negligible amount, due to the remediation). The SCA hopes to assuage fears by adding additional environmental oversight to ensure that the site remains safe and unaffected by the adjacent site.

“As the project commences, the SCA will voluntarily enroll the site in the NYC Mayor’s Office of Environmental Remediation (OER) Voluntary Cleanup Program,” the press release reads. “This program includes additional layers of regulatory review from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and public engagement, allowing for further oversight and input from all stakeholders.”

The project remains in its early stages, so we won’t see a school for another few years, but Greenpointers will bring you any updates to the story. In the meantime, you can check out the project’s website for additional documents and information.

James Franklin knows the whispers. He knows the barbs. For years now, the perception of him has hovered just below the line of the elite. And heading into 2025, with a retooled roster and the usual Big Ten gauntlet awaiting, the Penn State head coach might just have the most intriguing group of talent he’s had since that Big Ten title run in 2016. Sure, he lost some major firepower—defensive linchpins Abdul Carter, Kevin Winston Jr., Kobe King, and Jaylen Reed are gone. But Franklin isn’t blinking, because in his mind and in the minds of those around the program, this isn’t a rebuild. It’s a re-armament.

There are hot takes, and then there are well-measured truths, and Josh Pate brought a blowtorch of the latter this week in settling what’s been one of the most recycled debates in college football media: Is James Franklin overrated? “Has anyone out there told me James Franklin’s a top-five coach?” Pate asked on his show.

“If you have, maybe we have a different conversation. I’d argue he’s not far from that… but I haven’t heard anyone say that James Franklin belongs above Kirby Smart… I’ve never heard anyone say James Franklin as being greater than Nick Saban. I haven’t heard anyone put him above Ryan Day. I didn’t see anyone put him above Harbaugh when Harbaugh was at Michigan in the latter years.” The point here? “If you did that, then I might tell you, you had James Franklin a bit overrated. But no one does that. So the truth about James Franklin is—he’s won a Big Ten title, he’s won double-digit games in six of his nine seasons.” The numbers don’t lie. Neither does his track record at Vanderbilt, where he won 18 games over two seasons—a feat that still sounds like folklore in SEC country.

He has the resume. What James Franklin lacks, frankly, is the signature win at the right time. But as Pate cleverly puts it, that doesn’t equate to being “overhyped.” “One notch below elite… which, of course, in our 10-or-trash society we live in, means he s–ks, right? He’s overrated? He’s none of those things. The way I would classify James Franklin is really good, and I would classify him as absolutely properly rated,” Pate said. Top 10 coach? No doubt. Top five? Probably not. But for a program like Penn State that’s been chasing playoff relevance in the shadows of Michigan and Ohio State, Franklin has consistently kept the Nittany Lions in the thick of it—without ever quite kicking the door down.

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But even with all that philosophical clarity off the field, the team still has some tough questions to answer once they hit the turf.

PSU rolled into Week 2 of spring drills still searching for answers along the offensive line. Veteran absences are starting to raise eyebrows, and insider Bob Flounders flagged the edge position as a red-alert zone. That’s understandable—Abdul Carter was a generational kind of talent, a Micah Parsons-level disruptor whose departure leaves a crater. Max Ralph threw two names into the mix: Max Granville and Zuriah Fisher. But as Ralph pointed out, “Neither one of those guys has really played a whole lot.” That’s where the unease creeps in. Talent is there, but experience? Not so much.

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Is James Franklin the most underrated coach in college football, or just not elite enough?

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Adding to the mix is the quiet transformation taking place inside the defensive meeting rooms. Out is the ever-vocal Manny Diaz. In comes Jim Knowles—a technician with a different tone.

“Jim, he’s a man of few words,” Franklin said in his post-practice comments. “That’s in the staff meetings in the mornings, that’s out here on the field. He’s a believer that he’s going to spend a ton of time in the meeting room and taking notes down, kind of like I do, and then make the points he needs to make to the coaches in the meeting rooms.” It’s a change in energy. Less noise, more substance. And that might be exactly what this defense needs as it reestablishes itself with a new core and a quieter, yet calculated, voice.

The spring chatter is far from over. What happens next will shape how 2025 unfolds for Franklin and Penn State. But for now, one thing is clear: the James Franklin debate isn’t as messy as social media makes it. He isn’t a myth, and he isn’t a failure.

Happy Valley won’t be happy until James Franklin brings the title

James Franklin isn’t just chasing a Big Ten title—he’s chasing Ohio State-level success. And for the first time in his 12-year run at Penn State, he feels the stars might finally be aligning. Literally.

On the On3 Show with Andy Staples, Franklin opened up about why 2025 feels different. “I’m in a situation now where, for really the first time here at Penn State, we have the alignment that I’ve been pounding the table for 12 years,” he said. “From the Board to our President… to our Athletic Director—who played in the Big Ten and understands what it takes… and then the head football coach.”

And he’s not wrong. For years, Penn State’s potential was held back by shifting leadership. “I’ve had three different ADs and three different Presidents,” Franklin noted. “When you talk about alignment, we have that in a way that we’ve never had before.” That alignment, combined with Penn State’s NIL growth and a roster stacked with returning veterans, has people buzzing. Franklin’s already racked up 101 wins in 143 games, with three straight 10-win seasons. Now, it’s time to take that next step.

LANCASTER, Pa. —

Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster is eliminating some positions.

According to a statement, "fewer than 20 positions" were cut Wednesday. An exact number wasn't provided.

Also, several positions were changed last week from a 12-month schedule to a 10-month schedule.

The college said it and other higher education institutions are navigating financial challenges caused by shifting demographics, economic pressures and changes in student enrollment patterns.

"To adapt and build with strength, F&M has taken hard, carefully considered steps to ensure that our budget is sustainable," the college said. "Unfortunately, reducing the number of our employees to better match the size of our student body is a necessary part of responsible management."

Full statement

"All of higher education is navigating financial challenges driven by shifting demographics, economic pressures, and changes in student enrollment patterns. At the same time, it is more important than ever to live up to our mission for our current and future students and for the public good. To adapt and build with strength, F&M has taken hard, carefully considered steps to ensure that our budget is sustainable.

"As part of the reduction in workforce announced earlier this academic year, fewer than 20 positions are being eliminated today. Last week, several positions were changed from a 12-month schedule to a 10-month schedule, with full retention of benefits. F&M's senior leadership and Board of Trustees are deeply grateful for our employees' service to F&M and are committed to helping each of those affected to navigate a successful path forward. For those employees whose positions are being eliminated, we are offering a severance package that includes continued salary and healthcare benefits for several months, and help with their career transition through a robust outplacement service provider.

"Unfortunately, reducing the number of our employees to better match the size of our student body is a necessary part of responsible management. Like our sister institutions, the College has been working in numerous ways to respond to the challenges facing all of American higher education. The goal of our actions, as always, is to stay true to our mission, support and enhance the powerful education we offer, and focus on the long-term sustainability of the institution. We take pride in offering an undergraduate education of the highest quality, in providing opportunities for talented students from a variety of backgrounds, and in graduating generations of Diplomats to come who have the skills to make a positive impact on their communities and the world."

Slice House by Tony Gemignani, the highly successful fast-casual pizza franchise by world renowned pizzaiolo Tony Gemignani, announced recently the April opening of its Franklin location, the first in the state and furthest east in the U.S.

Located at 98 E. Main St. in the city’s downtown, the highly anticipated pizzeria promises to deliver delicious fare within a spirited atmosphere, according to a press release. The new restaurant is currently hiring across all positions and is expected to bring more than 40 new full- and part-time jobs to the community.

“In addition to being the first in Tennessee, this Slice House location will be the furthest east for the brand, representing our commitment to expanding and bringing our artisanal pizzas nationwide,” founder Tony Gemignani said through the relase. “It is an honor to partner with our dedicated brand partner, Tyler Ichien, to bring this dream to life and soon offer a delicious and reliable dining option for the Franklin community and its many visitors.”

Slice House Franklin, franchised and operated by Tyler Ichien, will feature an expansive menu of Gemignani’s famous New York, Sicilian, Grandma and Detroit style pizzas available by the slice or whole pizza. Gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options will also be available, as well as fresh pasta, wings and salads.

The drink menu will include local craft beers and premium wines, in addition to non-alcoholic sodas and juices. The new dining destination will have indoor seating for 45 people and a private outdoor patio for 65 people; in addition, it will offer takeout, online ordering and delivery. It will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“I am very proud to bring the first Slice House by Tony Gemignani to Tennessee and in my hometown of Franklin no less,” said Ichien. “With roots in the San Francisco Bay Area, I understand the significance of working with Tony on this venture and I am confident that his award-winning pizzas and other menu items will become staples in Franklin and the surrounding area. We can’t wait to invite residents and visitors to experience Slice House very soon.”

Slice House’s Franklin location is in a historic and charming building that was originally constructed as a service station in the 1800s, in downtown Franklin and along the Harpeth River. With its prime location at one end of Main Street and just blocks away from Franklin’s Public Square and City Hall, it will be within walking distance from the many local businesses in the area, from clothing boutiques and bookstores like Posh Boutique and Landmark Booksellers to restaurants and bars such as Culamar Seafood Restaurant & Rooftop Bar and Puckett’s Restaurant.

It is also surrounded by a number of churches, hotels and medical offices, with various schools and residences close by as well. Slice House Franklin will serve as a go-to dining option for local professionals, families and students as well as the many visitors to the popular travel destination.

Opening in April, Slice House Franklin will host a variety of exciting grand opening events, including feature appearances by Tony and many more surprises, which will be shared over the coming weeks. For more information, visit www.slicehouse.com and follow along on Instagram @SliceHouse @slicehousetn and Facebook @slicehousefranklintn.