After multiple public workshops and surveys, Brooklyn residents are calling for larger, more affordable units, expanded green space and safer streets in the next phase of the Atlantic Yards redevelopment project, according to a new report from Empire State Development.
The Atlantic Yards Redevelopment Project is a large, multi-phase initiative located in Brooklyn at the intersection of several neighborhoods, including Prospect Heights, Fort Greene, Park Slope, and Boerum Hill. The first phase, which started about 20 years ago, displaced many residents so the state could pave the way for Barclays Center and eight mixed-use residential buildings that added 3,200 residential units, including over 1,374 affordable units.
After cycling through multiple developers, ESD selected a new development team, Cirrus Workforce Housing and LCOR, in 2025 to advance the next phase of the project. The current approved plan allows for six buildings to be built over the railroad tracks that run along Atlantic Avenue (B5-10), as well as another building on Site 5.
According to the newly released Community Engagement Report, ESD said housing affordability was the top priority for the majority of workshop participants and survey respondents, with respondents expressing a desire to provide housing for all income levels, including 57% of survey respondents identifying a need for moderate- and middle-income housing, 25% of respondents citing the need for low-income housing, and 18% prioritizing very-low income housing.
Given a choice between creating more total affordable housing units at higher Area Median Income levels versus fewer total affordable units at lower AMI levels, there is preference for creating more total affordable units, according to the report.
There was also strong interest in the streetscape, primarily creating safer, more pedestrian-friendly streets and intersections surrounding the project area, particularly on major roadway crossings. In particular, residents said major fixes are needed on Atlantic Avenue along the platform sites, 6th Avenue, and the intersections of Atlantic Avenue with 4th Avenue and Flatbush Avenue around Site 5 and B1.
ESD said it would work with the city Department of Transportation to incorporate some of these changes, the report said.
Residents gave preference to seating and shaded areas, playgrounds, ball courts and picnic areas for the open spaces on the platform sites. A majority of workshop participants were also in favor of allowing taller buildings if they enabled an expanded central open space. Participants felt that parks and open spaces are the most important factor in making greater density successful at Atlantic Yards, the report said.
Retail should integrate the daily needs and services of the community including accessible grocery stores, with a preference for local Brooklyn businesses. Further, it was important to respondents that a portion of the non-residential areas are reserved for shared community spaces including recreational centers, intergenerational community spaces, and arts centers, as well as childcare.
Participants also voiced their desire for accountability and transparency to ensure project commitments are met, as well as the need to address potential impacts on infrastructure and quality of life, especially after the state decided not to take any action against the previous developer, Greenland USA, for its inability to construct the promised 877 affordable housing units in the earlier phase of the project.
The development team and ESD are now working on a Modified General Project Plan, which will undergo a full public and environmental review process.
