Community Board 14 and Prospect Park Alliance representatives met with Brooklyn residents Oct. 27 to discuss the next steps in the South of Prospect Neighborhood Plan, following a community workshop held Sept. 14, according to Journalism Blog.
The meeting focused on supporting local businesses, improving public spaces and addressing infrastructure needs along Coney Island and McDonald avenues.
The board's Community Environment, Cultural Affairs and Economic Development Committee led the discussion, inviting residents to consider what a successful neighborhood would look like over the next 15 years.
“I think we’d all agree that our businesses are struggling,” said Nina Sabghir. “As economic development is in our mandate, it’s worth mentioning that I see vacancies more apparent here than in other places in Brooklyn.”
Priorities included preserving the area's cultural identity, preventing the displacement of small businesses and improving access to public spaces for children and older residents.
The plan is significant because it seeks to balance neighborhood development with the preservation of the area's history and established character. Residents identified local restaurants, religious institutions, schools and cultural organizations as important community assets.
They also raised concerns about vacant storefronts and the potential effects of new apartment construction on existing businesses and neighborhood character.
Access to affordable gathering spaces, parks and usable green areas also emerged as a major concern. Residents highlighted the shortage of indoor venues for community meetings and recreational spaces for children and senior citizens.
Prospect Park Alliance representative Deborah Kirshner cited an estimated $500 million in capital needs for the park, pointing to the need for greater investment in its facilities and operations.
Additional concerns included flooding, litter, inadequate street lighting, parking and transportation. Participants also encouraged the city's Department of Small Business Services to engage directly with local business owners to better understand their challenges.
The meeting concluded with an agreement that committee chairs would revisit the neighborhood plan's priorities for further review. Those discussions are expected to help shape future planning efforts and keep residents' concerns central to the area's development.
