By COLlive reporter
Community Board 9, which represents a large portion of Crown Heights, has sent a letter today to New York Governor Kathy Hochul opposing the “vital Brooklyn” Kingsboro project on Clarkson and Albany Avenues.
Last week, multiple members of the local East Flatbush community addressed the board regarding the project, highlighting potential issues such as safety, parking, traffic, and lighting.
Longtime board member Rabbi Yaacov Behrman asked the board to officially record the board’s opposition, making a motion to send a letter to the governor opposing the project.
The board voted unanimously to send the letter and express opposition to the project in its current form.
The mega homeless shelter with almost 1,000 apartments is being built by the Kingsboro Psychiatric Homeless shelter at 691 Albany Ave, and 681 Clarkson Ave in Crown Heights.
The project is being built on 7 acres of New York state owned land, and according to public records being funded by NYC department of homeless service.
The Proposed Project, which ESD is advancing in collaboration with New York State Homes and Community Renewal (“HCR”), is a comprehensive redevelopment of a site consisting of approximately 7.2 acres on the westernmost portion of the parcel located at 681 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11203, which contains the Kingsboro Psychiatric Center (“KPC”), operated by the New York State Office of Mental Health (“OMH”).
The letter states:
“Brooklyn Community Board 9 has received numerous correspondences from residents in our district regarding the Vital Brooklyn projects with questions and complaints about the potential impacts on the district and the lack of communication with the community. At its General Meeting on Tuesday, September 26th, 2023, Brooklyn Community Board 9 voted unanimously to go on record as being opposed to the Vital Brooklyn projects pending additional outreach to the Board and the residents of the district. Specifically, we request that further outreach be conducted by the Empire State Development to educate and inform members of the public of the projects’ purpose and need, changes in scope, construction timelines, and expected environmental impacts to on the community as well as outlining any mitigation strategies that have been developed.
“Additionally, we request that the Empire State Development plan a forum where the community has an opportunity to directly express their concerns or reservations on the project.”
VIDEO
The Brooklyn Community of Boards 9 should also add in to the letter list of CC to include Mayor Eric Adam’s, The Brooklyn Borough President, and the Congressmember representing Crown Heights/East Flatbush . As these 3 elected officials also represent our neighborhood
This Letter is a good start. Obviously needs to be fully followed up on.
Can someone please bring to Community Board 9 attention about many more LARGE upcoming homeless shelters to fully oppose.
329 Clarkson Ave.
585 Schenectady Ave (3 homeless Shelter buildings)
564 Utica Ave – 832 Rutland Rd.
777 Rutland Rd.
808 Rutland Rd.
I think the board meetings are open to the public. Go look at the community boards website and see when and where it is.
According to many local ppl.
Kingsbrook Medical Center parking area by Utica/Rutland (568 Utica) under the Vital Brooklyn initiative, has a contract thru one of those non profit charities to be a migrant homeless shelter once the building is built.
What steps can be taken for the local East Flatbush
City Council/Assembly/Congress/Senate NY members to propose to rent these apartments to LOCAL law abiding, hardworking african american residents and families in this area. Instead of giving away these apartments to violent homeless drug addics and repeat offenders criminals with arrest records.
Who will only destroy this 95% primary black resident area of East Flatbush.
Maybe they should have mentioned it to her in person when she was here in the succa
Speak to those who hosted her about that. the person who hosts her is independent, and he has no connection to Yakov or CB9.
THANK YOU YAAKOV!!! We all need to show our support to any one who takes a stand against these shelters. Additionally we need to do OUR PART. Send an email to Brian Cunningham at [email protected]. Our future is at stake. The community fabric will be torn apart more than it is now. Do you have grandchildren living in east flatbush ? Speak up , do your part Its to all of us!!!! Additionally email board 9.
THANK YOU !!!
Thank you. I just hope that this is not too little, too late! They have known about this situation for SUCH A LONG TIME ALREADY! What took them so long to act?!:(
PLEASE KEEP EMAILING BOARD 9!! IT takes TWO minutes from your couch! The email address is [email protected]. Make YOUR voice heard.
Thank you Rabbi Yaacov Berman a true activist and leader in our midst, who is doing whatever he can to help out the community, and taking leadership where we need it. even though it may not always be popular and rewarding.
Thank you Yaacov.
I heard Martha’s Vinyard might be a better location for such shelters, has this been proposed?