BOROUGH Brooklyn MAP ID# B9 COUNCIL DISTRICT 35 COMMUNITY BOARD 2 NAME OF PLAN Community Organization Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project LDC Address 375 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205 Contact Name Jennifer Gerend Phone Number 718.875.8297 Fax Number Email myrtleavenue@earthlink.net TYPE OF PLAN Economic/Commercial Revitalization Plan GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF PLAN Myrtle Avenue - between Flatbush Avenue Extension and Classon Avenue. NEIGHBORHOOD/PLAN BACKGROUND Myrtle Avenue, an east west thoroughfare running from the Flatbush Extension through Brooklyn into Queens, grew as a center for goods and services largely due to its proximity to the Brooklyn Navy Yard (commissioned in 1801). In particular many African Americans acquired skilled work in the ship building industry in the Navy Yard. During World War II the Navy Yard employed more than 71,000 people. Due to the demand for housing, NYCHA built the Walt Whitman and Raymond V Ingersoll Houses near the Navy yard on myrtle Avenue in 1944 to house the war time workers. Perhaps the most important marker in the neighborhood is Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn s first park. Despite many natural advantages and a surrounding neighborhood of historic importance, Myrtle Avenue began to lose some of its vitality in the early 1970s. The decommissioning of the Brooklyn Navy Yard led, in part, to the decline of the commercial strip. GOALS OF PLAN To cultivate a desirable mix of retailers along Myrtle Avenue that respond to the neighborhood needs. To improve Myrtle Avenue s aesthetics and appearance To create a positive image of the Avenue, and to increase its visibility. To create a well maintained stock of housing and commercial space on Myrtle Avenue. RECOMMENDATIONS Rezoning and Redevelopment for denser mixed uses along the south side Myrtle, Ashland Place- Flatbush Avenue Extension (where there currently exists a low rise, largely vacant retail strip) to meet the ultimate goal of revitalizing the commercial corridor. Improve the B-54 service, which will help to move people to and from this area. More city programs like storeworks to help the merchants buy a building (to avoid being subject to increasing leases that can put mom n pops out of business). City Agencies should work with local LDCs to resolve ownership issues related to derelict buildings in their target area.
More police presence which translates to more officers for the 88 th precinct. IDENTIFIED STEPS FOR IMPLEMENTATION MARP works at the micro and macro levels to improve the whole Avenue.Some initial steps that have been identified include: Working with individual merchants to improve their storefronts buy their buildings. Adding to the streetscape through improved street lighting and more greenery. Addressing local spending through the promotion of the Avenue and publishing of the business directory. Providing individual technical assistance and small grants to local merchants. Improving sanitation and creating a graffiti free avenue. PARTICIPATORY PROCESS MARP s board members represent neighborhood organizations and institutions. MARP staff regularly attend community meetings, and MARP also maintains an office directly on the Avenue that is open for visitors. PARTNERS Pratt Institute, Long Island University, St. Joseph s College, Citibank, JP Morgan Chase, Myrtle Avenue Merchants Association, Fort Greene SNAP, The Brooklyn Borough President s Office, Con Edison, The Clinton Hill Co-op Consortium, Committee for Restoration of Fort Greene Park, Fort Greene Association, Clinton Hill Society, Department of Business Services, 88 th Police Precinct, Congressman Towns, State Senator Montgomery, Assemblyman Lentol, Councilwoman Pinkett. OBSTACLES Scarcity of funding for the MARP Unreachable building owners Rising commercial rents, building prices TIMELINE INITIAL IDEA N/A FORMAL PLAN? YES DATE SUBMITTED: N/A SUBMITTED TO: N/A CITY ACTION? N/A MODIFICATIONS MADE TO PLAN N/A ADDITIONAL INFORMATION N/A
BOROUGH Brooklyn MAP ID# B10 COUNCIL DISTRICT: 33, 35 COMMUNITY BOARD 2 NAME OF PLAN: Old Brooklyn District Plan Community Organization Brooklyn Community Board 2 Address Community Board 2, 350 Jay Street 8th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Contact Name William Vinicomber Chair, Land-Use Committee Phone Number 718.596.5410 Fax Number Website TYPE OF PLAN 197-a GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF PLAN The Old Brooklyn District lies in the northwest corner of Community District 2, in a triangle of land roughly defined by the Brooklyn Bridge and the Brooklyn Navy Yard along the East River to the north, and by Tillary Street to the south. It comprises five neighborhoods; Bridge Plaza, Farragut, Vinegar Hill, DUMBO, and Fulton Ferry. NEIGHBORHOOD/PLAN BACKGROUND The Old Brooklyn District is steeped in history and is rich in physical and cultural resources. It boasts a dynamic small business community and a small but tenacious residential community. Its waterfront offers some of the most spectacular views of New York Harbor, the Manhattan skyline and the East River bridges. Despite these substantial assets, however, the District has been largely neglected by the City as well as civic groups. While it has not prospered, the District survived for many years under this neglect. Recently, however, a number of forces have combined to threaten the quality of life of community members and the survival of many of the District's most valuable features: budget cuts in both public and private agencies have reduced the level of services to community members and created uncertainties for residents of public housing; historic buildings have been razed; the public has been fenced out of much of the waterfront; several transfer stations for putrescible as well as paper wastes have located in Vinegar Hill and DUMBO; and development pressures threaten the District's thriving small business and artistic communities. Aside from these mounting threats, Old Brooklyn suffers from misguided city policies and services. City agencies have for many years had difficulty devising regulations and enforcement approaches relevant to the District's actual population and uses, with the result that city services and policies in areas such as zoning, sanitation, parking, traffic control and street maintenance have been more of a burden on many community members than a source of support. GOALS OF PLAN 1. Create a greater sense of shared purpose and cohesion among the distinct neighborhoods that comprise the Old Brooklyn District. 2. Ensure that all future planning and development decisions include the active participation of all community stakeholders. As the city and state respond to development pressures, they must recognize the District's vitality, dynamism, and the contributions made by long-time
residents, established and emerging businesses, cultural establishments and private religious and social service institutions, 3. Preserve and enhance public access to the District's historical and physical resources --- its historic buildings and the East River waterfront. RECOMMENDATIONS Economic Development 1.Ensure that rezoning in the Old Brooklyn District is compatible with a continued strong manufacturing presence. 2.Create two commercial corridors - along a "T" formed by York and Gold streets, and along a loop connecting Water, Old Fulton, and Front Streets - to encourage commercial development that furthers stability in the District and supports the community's retail, entrepreneurial and employment needs. 3.Develop a job training and placement program connecting local residents, particularly youth, to existing and incoming jobs, both within the Old Brooklyn District and in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Historic Preservation 1. An "historical center" should be established on the grounds of the Farragut Houses or as part of an historical/visitors center created on the waterfront, and tied into pedestrian and bike trails running through the District and to a walking trail of nearby historical sites. 2. Historic District status should be conferred upon DUMBO and parts of Bridge Plaza, and specific structures of merit, such as the Thompson Water Meter Building and the Officers' Wives Houses, should be designated as NYC landmarks. Land Use and Zoning 1.The Department of City Planning should develop a comprehensive rezoning plan for the Old Brooklyn District that reflects current land use trends, brings existing land uses into conformity, and provides opportunities for appropriate development that is compatible with the use, scale and character of existing neighborhoods. 2.Rezone the Old Brooklyn waterfront to facilitate the development of a waterfront park, preserve high performance light industry and manufacturing, and encourage uses compatible with adjacent residential and small business uses. 3.Rezone DUMBO to bring residential uses into conformity while preserving light manufacturing and other small businesses. Change existing M3-1 and M1-2 districts to M1-5M to permit limited residential conversion while stabilizing the small business job base. Discussions should be held with the beneficiaries of recent rezonings in DUMBO to reach voluntary agreement to preserve manufacturing space consistent with M1-5M or M1-6M loft zoning. 4.Rezone Fulton Ferry to bring residential and commercial uses into conformity while preserving the uniquely historic character of the area in future development. Change the existing M1-2 district to a contextual, low density residential district with a commercial overlay. 5.Rezone the remaining manufacturing pocket within the recently created residential district in Vinegar Hill to contextual residential zoning. 6.Rezone Bridge Plaza to create a contextual residential district. Housing 1.Community Board 2 will spearhead a public housing support initiative that provides the information and tools necessary for tenants of the Farragut Houses to actively engage in meaningful negotiations with city, state and federal agencies in shaping the future of their homes. 2.Rezone manufacturing districts that have a significant number of non-conforming residential uses to residential or mixed use districts to facilitate the renovation and expansion of existing housing and permit new residential development as-of-right. 3.Community Board 2 Land Use Committee will convene a forum for loft tenants and building owners, drawing together sources of information and assistance in legalizing occupancy and ensuring that health and safety codes are met.
Open Space and Waterfront Access 1.Increase open space, green space and recreational facilities in the District, with particular emphasis on access for residents of the eastern end of the District. 2.Develop the Old Brooklyn waterfront as part of the proposed "Brooklyn Bridge Park" as a local and Citywide amenity. 3.Improve pedestrian and bike routes to improve access and better knit the District's communities together. 4.Preserve existing scenic view corridors throughout the Old Brooklyn District and seize opportunities to extend or create new view corridors. 5.More intensive efforts to "green" the District's neighborhoods with street trees and other plantings should be undertaken to mitigate pollution and noise problems while enhancing the overall appearance and making the District more welcoming to residents, workers and visitors. Transportation 1.Public Transit - Subway: We recommend that substantial improvements be made to the F Train subway station at York Street, including better signage, lighting and replacement of the neighborhood map. 2.Public Transit - Bus: Bus service should be improved to better serve the residential populations in Farragut Houses, DUMBO and Vinegar Hill. 3.Public Transit - Water: The District's waterfront location provides abundant opportunities for the development of water travel. 4.Pedestrian and Bicycle: Pedestrian travel in the District should be improved and encouraged. 5.Local Truck Routes: Local truck routes should be evaluated to ensure efficient delivery of goods and compatibility with zoning, land use and pedestrian and vehicular travel. We recommend that the DOT install "No Through Truck Traffic" signs at problem intersections. 6.Vehicular: Discourage any development in the Old Brooklyn District that significantly increases levels of vehicular traffic and parking and further compromises the health, safety and quality of life of local residents and workers. 7.Parking: On-street parking regulations should be revised to reflect the current and future uses of the District. Community Services & Facilities 1. Establish a Community/Youth Center in the old Brooklyn District, connecting local youth to the waterfront and to related educational, recreational and job opportunities 2. All requests for rezoning or zoning variances, as well as terms, leases or concessions on the sizable public holdings in the District, should include, among several public benefits and as a condition to profit from the use of public land, facilities and funding for programs serving local youth. 3.Creation of a commercial corridor at Gold and York Streets and a commercial loop at Water, Old Fulton and Front streets, recommended under Economic Development, will encourage the development of essential neighborhood retail services that can adequately support a growing residential and worker population. 4. Revise the borough's Capital Budget Plan for the next five and ten years to include school construction among other public services not presently located in the District. Environment 1.Public education and efforts to mitigate the effects of environmental pollution on community members, particularly the young and elderly residents of the Farragut Houses, should be undertaken. 2.Plans should be developed to undertake brownfield remediation, particularly on sites with the potential for recreational use and public access as part of the proposed Brooklyn Bridge Park or elsewhere in the District.
Arts 1. Special efforts to support the artist community and enhance the contribution it can make to the Districts, as well as the boroughs, economic base should be explored. Research efforts in other cities around the nation. IDENTIFIED STEPS FOR IMPLEMENTATION The value of a 197-a Plan lies in its ability to provide a framework within which key actors can collaborate to achieve shared goals and resolve conflicts in an open, participatory manner. In order to encourage this process within the framework of the Old Brooklyn District 197-a Plan, we call on Borough President Golden to support Community Board No. 2's efforts to establish a broad-base Task Force to implement the specific recommendations of this Plan, overseeing the actions of the responsible agency or party where implementation is straightforward, and coordinating multi-agency and multi-party responses where implementation is more complex. All activity is to remain under the support and direction of Community Board 2. The Task Force would consist of representatives of Local Elected Officials, City agencies, and major property owners and institutions of higher education in the district. The Task Force would be expected to report quarterly to the Community Board on its progress in implementing the Old Brooklyn District 197-a Plan. PARTICIPATORY PROCESS The Community Board 2 Land Use Committee has held a series of public meetings starting with the establishment of a Waterfront sub-committee in 1992. Chaired by a resident of the Old Brooklyn District, regular membership included residents and property owners in the district. Also, representatives from adjacent communities and from other community-based organizations planning the Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is partly within the Old Brooklyn District, were regular, active participants. The project started with a well attended public workshop on the 197-a process held at the Brooklyn campus of Long Island University. Public meetings were advertised and held in varying locations to insure accessibility to the widest number of stakeholders (for example- meetings were held at the headquarters of the Watchtower Society, a religious organization that is a major property holder in the district, Phoenix House; a private social service agency, Brooklyn Borough Hall; and Community Board 2's office and Land Use Committee meeting room at the NYC Technical College). Summaries and drafts of the plan were presented twice, roughly a year apart, at the regular monthly public meetings of Community Board 2 PARTNERS This 197-a planning effort, sponsored by Community Board 2 and supported by local elected officials, was conceived as a way of bringing wider recognition to the District's unique assets and bringing the community together to face its growing challenges. OBSTACLES N/A TIMELINE INITIAL IDEA 1992 FORMAL PLAN? Yes DATE SUBMITTED: 2001 SUBMITTED TO Brooklyn Department of City Planning, Borough President s Office CITY ACTION? Currently under review
MODIFICATIONS MADE TO PLAN N/A ADDITIONAL INFORMATION N/A