Flatbush, Midwood, Kensington, and Ocean Parkway
Brooklyn Community Board 14
Appointed by the Brooklyn Borough President, half on the recommendation of local Council members. Advisory, but the first government to hear about anything on your block.
Karl-Henry Cesar
chair · district manager Shawn Alyse Campbell
Second Monday, 7:30pm
board meetings are public; anyone can speak
59
budget requests to the city this cycle
What this board asked the city for
From the city’s official register, in the board’s own words, ranked by the board’s own priority. The response is the city’s.
Create a new, or renovate or upgrade an existing public libraryEnsure that all capital improvements are needed at our local libraries: Cortelyou Branch; Flatbush Branch; Midwood Branch; and Kensington Branch are met.City response (Brooklyn Public Library): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Provide a new or expanded park or amenity (i.e. playground, outdoor athletic field)The Flatbush African Burial Ground will be constructed as a memorial through the Department of Parks and Recreation. We understand that capital funding is in place. This is a continued support request assuming capital is adequate as told. CB14 highly prioritizes funding that is adequate to fully realize a vision of this important, sacred and historic site that is informed by community engagementCity response (Department of Parks and Recreation): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 1Other foster care and child welfare requestsWhen asked by survey to rank public safety priorities, 85% of respondents ranked support for cure violence groups, number one. ACS's Division of Youth and Family Justice and the efforts to support violence disrupters programs and organizations is a high priority from a youth service and a public safety perspective. There are several programs that ACS has introduced or grown in recent years. CD14 City response (Administration for Children's Services): This request has already been completed.
priority 1Extend library hours or expand and enhance library programsThe Community Board supports the continuation and expansion of programs that are so valuable in connecting our community members to literacy and culture. From small children, to teens, adults and older adults, the breadth of library programming is impressive and invaluable. We are grateful that branch managers and program directors are so active with the board and always willing to share and updatCity response (Brooklyn Public Library): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Other capital request for DCPPlease note that the following needs are in the order of the District Needs Statement narrative. Health and Human Services are first; followed by Youth, Education and Children's Services; Public Safety and Emergency Response; Core Infrastructure, City Services and Resiliency; Housing, Land Use and Economic Development; Transportation; Parks and then Other. DCP's process requires CBs to list communCity response (Department of City Planning): This request has already been completed.
priority 1Improve safety at homeless sheltersThe men's shelter that opened in CD14 in 2023 has created a number of community concerns. Security, including perimeter patrols are not addressing the complaint that individuals are entering private property, defecating in the street, engaging in substance use. Interactions between shelter residents and residents of the adjacent supportive housing facility have not been positive for the clients orCity response (Department of Homeless Services): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 1Evaluate a public location or property for green infrastructure, e.g. rain gardens, stormwater greenstreets, green playgroundsThere are several locations in the district that flood chronically in rainstorms. These locations have all been brought to DEP's attention. It is difficult to identify what and where speficially capaital projects are needed. They were apparently needed in the several locations where DEP had to make emergency repairs. We ask DEP to respond to the requests pending and ADVISE as to where upgrades andCity response (Department of Environmental Protection): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 1Provide a new or expanded park or amenity (i.e. playground, outdoor athletic field)CD14 is about the lowest ranking community board citywide for access to public green space. There are few locations to devleop parks but they should be explored. A CB14 Fund for the City of New York Planning Fellow, made recommendations in 2017, some of which are no longer viable. The agency response to this is to ask local elected officials, which raises the overalll concern about agency capacityCity response (Department of Parks and Recreation): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Increase staffing for homebound adult programsCase management, home care, legal services, and transportation services are generally intertwined. There is no way to prioritize the needs of one senior citizen over those of another and it would be folly to provide transportation over home care for a senior who is need of both. The funding of these services must be designed with the approach that support services are inextricable.City response (Department for the Aging): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Address illegal conversions and uses of buildingsThere is need for more DOB action on illegal conversions in what would be single family homes and in multifamily buildings. Enforcement on illegal curb cuts and parking pads would move the city toward carbon neutrality. Rather than using the tools we have, there is a new zoning text amendment. Short term rentals are not enforced. Some air bnbs have been reported in the already scarce affordable unCity response (Department of Buildings): The agency does not understand the request as written and requires more clarification.
priority 1Rehabilitate bridgesThe Beverley Road bridge and the Caton Road bridge both require rehabilitation. The Newkirk Avenue Road bridge is also in need of repair but due to purview complications related to Newkrik Plaza, DOT cannot add the bridge to a component contract, which will delay repairs.City response (Department of Transportation): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 1Other expense request for DCPPlease note that the following needs are in the order of the District Needs Statement narrative. Health and Human Services are first; followed by Youth, Education and Children's Services; Public Safety and Emergency Response; Core Infrastructure, City Services and Resiliency; Housing, Land Use and Economic Development; Transportation; Parks and then Other. DCP's process requires CBs to list communCity response (Department of City Planning): This request has already been completed.
priority 1Other expense budget request for DCADCWP is the licensing and main enforcement agency for the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes. The pace of inspections is slow, and the enforcement mechanisms is inadequate. More stores sell these items without a license than with one. Report of sales to minors and sales of flavored vapes are prevalent. A significant investment must be made in adding and training inspectors. At the state level, OCM City response (Department of Consumer and Worker Protection): This request has already been completed.
priority 1Rehabilitate or renovate existing fire houses or EMS stationsFund station house renovations and upgrades at Engine 255/Ladder 157; Engine 281/Ladder 147 and Engine 250 firehouses. Including the addition of a station house generator at one of these fire stations. There are no firehouses in CD 14 with a generator.City response (Fire Department): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Clean catch basinsThere are several locations in the district that flood chronically that have all been brought to DEP's attention. It seems that the issues can only be resolved with capital investments and that is the second highest request on CB14 capital list. In the meantime, catch basin cleaning and maintenance, courtesy flushes, rain barrels, backflow valve education, and other short term mitigation strategieCity response (Department of Environmental Protection): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 1Show all 59 requests
Provide more housing for extremely low and low income householdsIn HPD's own Mayor's Management Report, it was stated in the capital budget section that, "HPD must work to restore lost affordable housing capacity." Affordable housing is dropping as a share of housing in CD 14. Low and extremely low-income housing is always the smallest percentage of new developments, and they tend to be smaller units such as studios and 1 bedroom, making low-income housing forCity response (Department of Housing Preservation & Development): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 1Create or promote programs to de-stigmatize mental health needs and encourage treatmentNearly one in 25 New Yorkers has experienced mental illness. About 280,000 have major disorders such as schizophrenia. Forty percent of those in city shelters and 53% of those in city jails experience mental illness. From March to December of 2020, more than 17,000 calls were made for mental health assistance. This was 85 times more than the same period in 2019. The city must continue to expCity response (Department of Health and Mental Hygiene): This request has already been completed.
priority 1Repair or upgrade subway stations or other transit infrastructureChurch Avenue is the most heavily utilized station in the district and is in disrepair. A public private partnership is in place to install an elevator to make the station ADA compliant. Other upgrades and additional security cameras must accompany this project, especially given that this will be more heavily utilized by vulnerable community members.City response (Transit Authority): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 1Renovate or upgrade existing precinct housesWhile NYPD continues the search for an appropriate location for a new precinct house, the current precinct house floods and leaks and does not have adequate lockers, storage, parking, nor is it handicap accessible. We have hesitated to prioritize capital dollars for a precinct house that should be replaced but as conditions worsen, there's a more urgent concern. There should not be a need for voluCity response (Police Department): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Forestry services, including street tree maintenanceFlatbush and Midwood boast 11,237 street trees, including 121 different species according to DPR's census. Argyle Road is considered the "leafiest" in Brooklyn. A more robust pruning cycle is still necessary. Requests for emergency pruning and fallen branches are increasing in the District. Fallen limbs, branches and entire trees too often were reported for pruning but not addressed. Paying claimsCity response (Department of Parks and Recreation): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 1Provide a new or expand an existing elementary schoolDOE still acknowledges CD 14 as a district in need of seats. When last measured at full capacity, PS 139 was at 121% of utilization; PS 127was 125%; PS 249 was at 128%, PS 193 at 111%; PS 315 was at 118% and the PS 152 Annex was at 146%. Since annexes are built to address overcrowding, an overcrowded annex boldly underscores the need for additional elementary school seats in the northern end of City response (Department of Education): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Other cleaning requestsPlease restore MLP in the baseline budget. There are 5 overlapping council members in CD14. Those overlaps vary in size and the council members vary in their willingness to give council member allocations back to city agencies, and that's understandable. These funds are supposed to supplement, not supplant agency responsibility. There are 1200 road segments in CD 14. Given the number of dead ends,City response (Department of Sanitation): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Provide commercial lease support for business ownersSupporting venues that generate social capital and drive economic development is key to post pandemic recovery. Kings Theater was an EDC project that is owned and managed by a private entity and is a for profit enterprise. The city then enacted several policy decisions in the area that undermined the original multi-million-dollar investment in the theater as an economic driver.City response (Department of Small Business Services): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 1Other expense budget request for DOTNew York City must recognize ownership of the Plaza. The clearest solution we see is for Newkirk Plaza to become a formal participant in the DOT's Pedestrian Plaza Program. The City's inability to determine jurisdiction over Newkirk Plaza has left several chronic issues unresolved, including a serious rodent infestation, sanitation maintenance concerns, disrepair of the brick plaza surface, and grCity response (Department of Transportation): Agency does not support but can address the need alternatively
priority 1Provide, expand, or enhance the Summer Youth Employment ProgramAccording to our Youth Conference attendees survey, the biggest draw for the 500 youth who attended out annual conference was jobs. It is imperative that DYCD jobs programs be expanded and dependably funded. Additional focus on building capacity at the CBO level to expand programming into underserved communities is imperative. Cure violence programs depend on significant alternatives. DYCD is poCity response (Department of Youth & Community Development): This request has already been completed.
priority 1Provide more firefighters or EMS workersFund adequate new firefighter, Marshall, EMS and inspector hires. Given the pace of development and the density that is adding to our community, it is imperative that we ensure that staffing remain optimal and that the addition of a 5th firefight on the truck is expanded to firehouses serving our community. The number of firefighters fully trained for all inspections should be at 100%.City response (Fire Department): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 1Other expense budget request for HHCDevelop programs and outreach to address maternal health care disparities through community outreach and medical care services.City response (Health and Hospitals Corporation): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Provide more housing for extremely low and low income householdsEnsuring that there is affordable housing for CD14's community members at lower strata of the AMI, for seniors and those in need of supportive housing rely on HPD fully implementing Housing Our Neighbors and all components of the Housing Blueprint plan including fighting tenant harassment. These programs seem to be falling short. Our community is left vulnerable to HPD's inability to increase ageCity response (Department of Housing Preservation & Development): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Provide, expand, or enhance rental assistance programs/vouchers for permanent housingCommunity District 14 ranks high in the percentage of severely rent burdened households, which is to say that they pay 50% or more of their monthly income on housing. Overall, 29% of households are severely rent burdened. This is down from a recent high of 35%. For low-income households, 44% are severely rent burdened. The share of units available at 30% AMI has decreased again. When we say that wCity response (Human Resources Administration): This request has already been completed.
priority 1Expand bus service frequency or hours of operationAssess use of busses and add to routes, especially morning commutes.City response (Transit Authority): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 1Hire additional crossing guardsAdditional crossing guards is an ever increasing request. New schools have opened, new developments are in the pipeline. The Community Board defers to the Police Precinct to assign additional crossing guards to new locations. It is our understanding that these positions are difficult to fill. Therefore, we request that the city demonstrates that it cares about student safety by either increasing City response (Police Department): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 1Provide more community board staffEvery year we manage hundreds of service delivery requests, a youth conference, a nonprofit roundtable. We've added a lunch and learn series, and a YLC. Increasing responsibilities have been assigned and hiring staff and specialists, such as planners, policy analysts, IT assistance, would help to introduce more initiatives and develop longer range projects. As the most local city agency, we give City response (Mayor's Office of Management and Budget): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 1Create a new, or renovate or upgrade an existing public libraryConsider a building rehabilitation and expansion of the Cortelyou Road branch to increase space and opportunities to expand programming. The fact that this branch is a one-story building with a deep set back, suggests that there is developable space. In fact, CB14 notes this location in a HPD request suggesting a coordinated exploration of this site for both a library rehab and co-located housing City response (Brooklyn Public Library): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 2Provide a new or expanded park or amenity (i.e. playground, outdoor athletic field)A monument to community and national shero Shriley Chisholm is to be installed at the Ocean Avenue-Parkside entrance to Prospect Park. A full welcome center, with historic and memorial installation and a comfort station has been envisioned as well. This project should be funded. DPR should have its own capital budget to support such community investments. Instead, we anticipate the reply that the City response (Department of Parks and Recreation): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 2Expand street outreachOver the years, we have been told by the Department of Homeless Services that it takes an average of 250 encounters with unsheltered individuals to convince them to accept services. This suggests that services offered are not in line with the needs of those living unsheltered. More robust teams with specialized services including those to address addictions, and mental health issues must augment sCity response (Department of Homeless Services): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 2Other capital budget request for DPRThe Lakeshore project is a multi-million-dollar green infrastructure project that would create marshland, utilize storm water for the benefit of the park and mitigate damaging flood conditions that affect homes, businesses, and other city assets such as the Parade Ground, the SRG Precinct, bus stops and more. It is a project that would increase access to the parks for mobility limited individuals.City response (Department of Parks and Recreation): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 2Funding for a new senior center programEngage in reimagining an RFP for senior centers. The population of persons 65 years old and up in CD14 has increased from 10% in 2010 to 17% in 2021.City response (Department for the Aging): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 2Assign additional building inspectors (including expanding training programs)DOB is operating with a 15% deficit in human resources. Many of these unfulfilled positions are inspectors. With the continued growing rate of new construction in the district, this is an urgent priority. Too many complaints are closed out due to lack of access while unpermitted work continues to the point of completion. Better timing of inspections, additional attempts and more detailed followCity response (Department of Buildings): Agency does not support but can address the need alternatively
priority 2Roadway maintenance (resurfacing, trench restoration, etc.)Six years ago, DOT identified $60 million for trench repair but none of it was allocated to CD14, despite worsening conditions. We have been told that this funding was never applied to a repair and there is no funding for trench restoration. There must be an increase in the budget for road and street infrastructure repair. Seven locations have been submitted to DOT. 564 East 29th Street; 1781 OceaCity response (Department of Transportation): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 2Provide more housing for extremely low and low income householdsThe need for senior housing, supportive housing and increasing low and extremely low income housing will likely see greater pressures depending on how City of Yes for housing passes. There are few mandates to create housing that generates less process and is dependent on support programs, such as vouchers. CB14 has lost housing at 30% AMI as a share of housing overall. There are very few public loCity response (Department of Housing Preservation & Development): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 2Create or promote programs to de-stigmatize substance misuse and encourage treatmentStreet outreach teams, NYPD, and human services organizations report that many people who appear to be unsheltered often have homes but congregate where they can access and use substances. There are few programs available to them unless they are in fact homeless or choose to seek care. This is a woeful and dangerous approach, or lack thereof. Community Mobile and Intesive Mobile teams should beCity response (Department of Health and Mental Hygiene): This request has already been completed.
priority 2Improve accessibility of transit infrastructure, by providing elevators, escalators, etc.The 18th Avenue Stop on the Culver Line is on the same block as the United Cerebral Palsey complex. This stop was recently upgraded. It's unfortunate that accessibility was not one of the improvements.City response (Transit Authority): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 2Other NYPD facilities and equipment requestsEvery day there is a community request to have a vehicle towed. There are also trucks and trailers-some attached, some not. When they have plates or a later model and/or luxury vehicles and can only be towed by NYPD, it can take several weeks and more. PD notes that there is a shortage of large tow vehicles. Last year they asked CBs to request a new tow pound and then responded that they did not sCity response (Police Department): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 2Plant new street treesThere is a lack of enforcement when it comes to developers and planting requirements. Elected officials have used reso funds to plant trees where it was a developers responsibility. Where planting is the city's responsibility it should be properly funded and then adequately pruned.City response (Department of Parks and Recreation): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 2Increase enforcement of street vendingThe addition of vendor enforcement has not been adequately resourced. There are not enough San Police and they don't cover specific areas. There is not a transparent reporting system in place. The problem has only exacerbated since shifting enforcement to DSNY. This is a failed policy and while it's in these budget priorities, it might not be a good idea to continue funding a failed policy. This oCity response (Department of Sanitation): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 2Address traffic congestionThe need to address freight mobility, including trucking, waterways, light rail and last mile trucking concerns are increasingly urgent. A review of truck routes is a task that DOT has started and stopped over the years. In CD 14 Caton Avenue to Linden Blvd is a truck route. Just south of Caton is Church Avenue - also a truck route. Traffic is gridlocked on Caton nearly endlessly in both directionCity response (Department of Transportation): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 2Expand funding for fire prevention and life safety initiativesThe City should transfer the responsibility for lifeguard training and management from the Dept of Parks and Recreation to FDNY. These jobs are life safety initiatives and could provide a pathway to career emergency services. This is a proposal that was studied by IBO and is supported by some councilmembers. In addition, FDNY personnel should be able to "moonlight" as lifeguards. This was a practiCity response (Fire Department): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 2Provide, expand, or enhance programs for housing inspections to correct code violationsCD14 has one of the highest serious housing code violations per 1000 units of housing in the city and it is getting worse. HPD must be granted enforcement authority that makes a difference. Inspector training and technology, fully implementing Housing Our Neighbors and all components of the Housing Blueprint plan and fighting tenant harassment are all programs that seem to be falling short. Our cCity response (Department of Housing Preservation & Development): This request has already been completed.
priority 2Improve subway station or train cleanliness, safety and maintenanceIt took years to convince DOT to accept Newkirk Plaza into the pedestrian plaza program. It took another year for DOT lawyers and MTA lawyers to compose an agreement. It has now taken another year for MTA to conduct the necessary engineering study prior to implementing the agreement. It's a slap in the face of the community that the MTA is simultaneously trying to engage in support of the IBX planCity response (Transit Authority): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 2Other expense requestDCP and OMB - improve DNS and budget process.City response (Mayor's Office of Management and Budget): Agency does not support and cannot accommodate
priority 2Reconstruct or upgrade a park or amenity (i.e. playground, outdoor athletic field)The Hot Spot Tot Lot on Campus Road is the only DPR asset that has not had a capital upgrade in over a decade. DPR should have greater control of capital purse strings to maintain parks and playgrounds in communities according to conditions and time between upgrades rather than relying on elected officials for capital funds. Usually those making the allocations will be term limited before the ribbCity response (Department of Parks and Recreation): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 3Other transportation infrastructure requestsEnsure that sidewalks, curbs, street and bus pads are maintained at all bus stops. The bus stop at Church Avenue and East 18th street, which is a heavily utilized connection to the Brighton Line at the Church Avenue station is hazardous in both directions. The sidewalks require repair, the curbs are dilapidated and the streets have waving and pot holes. DOT installed an express lane on this stop City response (Department of Transportation): This request has already been completed.
priority 3Other programs to address public health issues requestsPublic health programs that address health disparities with an urgent focus on maternal health are of the highest priorities. Ongoing infection disease concerns, barriers to vaccines whether they be knowledge and understanding based, cultural practices based, language access, etc. must be thoughtfully addressed. Access to quality housing, healthy food choices and outdoor space all contribute sysCity response (Department of Health and Mental Hygiene): This request has already been completed.
priority 3Renovate or upgrade existing precinct housesThe time is now. The history of efforts to relocate this aging facility goes back three decades. In 2006, DCAS began property acquisition at 1326 Ocean Avenue and NYPD set aside $30 million for the property, and OMB stated its commitment to identify additional funding. Construction was set to begin in 2013. It did not and the site was lost to a market rate housing development. A $1 million scopiCity response (Police Department): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 3Forestry services, including street tree maintenanceWhile DPR struggles to build enough capacity to address tree pruning needs, there should be an effort to better coordinate the Community Tree Pruners program. Reportedly, residents who would like to become qualified to become tree pruners, cannot get into the program. If DPR doesn't have the capacity to accept help expanding capacity, that's a real problem!City response (Department of Parks and Recreation): Agency supports but cannot accommodate
priority 3Provide or expand NYC organics collection programReinstate community compost sites to complement once-a-week curbside collection.City response (Department of Sanitation): This request has already been completed.
priority 3Animal and pest control requests including reducing rat and mosquito populationsRodent complaints have risen throughout the city, While DOHMH continues to increase the number of inspections performed annually, these efforts are outpaced by conditions contributing to rodent infestations. DOT's Open Streets for restaurant policy, DOB's abatement rules for construction sites should have better storage and collection policies. DSNY should be better equipped to address illegal dCity response (Department of Health and Mental Hygiene): This request has already been completed.
priority 4Increase enforcement of illegal dumping lawsThe drop down menu on this report platform lists 10 "increase enforcement" options. This board is loathe to ask for more enforcement when DSNY demonstrates an inability to aim violations at the actual offender. DSNY is failing to enforce vendor rules but then penalizes brick and morter businesses by serving violations for the litter that vendors left behind. DSNY has not restored MLP and then issuCity response (Department of Sanitation): Agency supports and can accommodate
priority 4Provide more on-street trash cans and recycling containersDSNY should not expect BIDs to pay for containers. BIDs were created to supplement, not supplant city services. If DSNY is going to mandate containers, they should be provided in the same way corner baskets were provided. Please don't pass this responsibility off to elected officials either. This is DSNY's program and should be in DSNY's baseline budget.City response (Department of Sanitation): This request has already been completed.
priority 5Reach the board
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official810 East 16th St, Brooklyn, NY 11230(718) 859-6357 · info@cb14brooklyn.com
From the city’s official community board directory and the Register of Community Board Budget Requests (updated daily). Member rosters arrive when borough president appointment lists are ingested; meeting summaries arrive with the document tier.