PPEN and the Prospects Lefferts Gardens
Neighborhood Association (PLGNA) presented their plan for a
neighborhood study at PLGNA’s fall general meeting on Monday,
November 2, 2015. The plan was generally well received but the
presentation elicited comments and questions, indicating a need for
further clarification that we aim to provide below.
PPEN has been working with PLGNA on the
development of the study for the past year, with almost weekly
meetings of its steering committee and invited advisors and
participants. In response to recent development projects like 626
Flatbush Avenue tower and heated discussions in Community Board 9
about whether or not to support a call for the Department of City
Planning to develop a zoning proposal, two community groups have
undertaken their own studies. There
are two ways that our study differs from these other studies: it is
not a zoning study and it analyzes the entire area that the
Department of City Planning has been asked to rezone. Thus, our study will complement rather than duplicate the studies being
undertaken by other community groups.
The purpose of the PLGNA/PPEN study is
to collect information in order to obtain an accurate, fine-grained
understanding of the characteristics of our neighborhood through the
collection of both public-access information and interviews with
community members. Furthermore, the study will look at the effects
of rezoning on displacement and gentrification in other neighborhoods
to assess the probable impact upon our own. This type of study has
never been done before and has the potential to be applied throughout
the city.
We have sought funding from diverse
sources, including elected officials, who have the ability to fund
projects in their districts they feel are valuable. Limited funding
was made available. At no time did elected officials attempt to
influence the nature of the study; neither will they have any say in
the preparation of the final report. The amount of funding by our
elected officials is a matter of public record. We anticipate that
about a third of our funding will come from competitive, private and
non-governmental grants.
We look forward to working with the
entire community to collect and compile data that can help protect
those most vulnerable to the forces of gentrification in Prospect
Lefferts Gardens and South Crown Heights while preserving these
neighborhoods’ economically and racially diverse character and
improving the quality of life for all of their residents.
