A neighborhood-level plan, part of a city-wide plan to New York City's housing crisis, has been proposed for Kensington, Prospect Park South, Borough Park, Ditmas Park, Parkville, Flatbush, Midwood, and Mapleton.
Mayor Mamdani's "South of Prospect Plan" covers neighborhoods that are south of Prospect Park. The plan promotes rezoning (upzoning) that will increase the neighborhoods' density and allow taller buildings, starting with McDonald Avenue, Coney Island Avenue, and the surrounding areas.
Across much of the city, outdated land use regulations have frozen neighborhoods in place. In some areas, this has exacerbated existing challenges, such as a lack of affordable housing and limited job opportunities. In other, wealthier and high-opportunity areas, outdated zoning has often served exclusionary ends, closing off neighborhoods to growth and limiting their racial and economic diversity.
As we know, New York City is a dynamic and ever-changing place. At a reasonable interval, neighborhoods deserve a comprehensive look, including all stakeholders, to ensure that zoning policies and capital investments in areas like transportation, open space, and resiliency are supporting growing, thriving community and aligning with citywide needs.
Under the Mamdani administration, the Department of City Planning, in conjunction with HPD, EDC, and the full complement of capital agencies, will advance this core planning work with a new emphasis on equity, fairness, and neighborhood need.
These efforts begin along White Plains Road in the north Bronx and along McDonald and Coney Island Avenues in neighborhoods south of Prospect Park in Brooklyn. These key neighborhood corridors offer ready access to public transit but are hampered by restrictive zoning that has limited new housing and deepened affordability challenges. In both cases, local Council Members have stepped up to advocate for neighborhood changes that allow for increased housing potential and other neighborhood improvements.
The Mamdani administration will partner with the City Council to develop plans that deliver a significant number of new homes,
mandate affordability, support economic development, and direct investments that address community needs. These plans serve as the first of a broader set of planning efforts spanning a range of neighborhoods across the city.
From "Mayor Mamdani Releases 'Block by Block: The Housing Plan for A New Era'"
Spanning the full breadth of housing policy, from new construction to
tenant protections to public housing, homeownership and worker
protections, the plan lays out a comprehensive strategy to make New York
City more affordable for working people.
Fill out a survey and state your thoughts about the present and future of McDonald Avenue, Coney Island Avenue, and the surrounding areas. The survey asks what you love, which issues you believe are the most pressing, and what your hopes for the future are.
Here is a reprint of the entire survey:
The Department of City Planning (DCP) is working with community members and other City Agencies to start a community planning process for Coney Island Avenue, McDonald Avenue, and the surrounding neighborhoods – and we want to hear from you! The plan will coordinate a long-term community vision for the neighborhoods south of Prospect Park and Green-wood Cemetery and help identify community priorities such as housing, economic development, and improvements to public space and local infrastructure.
When you submit this form, it will not automatically collect your details like name and email address unless you provide it yourself.
1. What neighborhood do you live in?
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Kensington
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Prospect Park South
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Borough Park
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Ditmas Park
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Parkville
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Flatbush
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Midwood
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Mapleton
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Other
2. What is your connection to Coney Island Avenue and McDonald Avenue?
(Select all that apply)
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I live in the area
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I work in the area
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I shop or get services in the area
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I go to school here or drop off my kids at school here
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I use public transportation in the area
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I’m a small business owner in the area
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I pray or worship in the area
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Other
3. How long have you been living on or coming to Coney Island Avenue or McDonald Avenue?
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0-5 years
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6-10 years
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11 years +
4. What do you love the most about Coney Island Avenue and the surrounding areas?
Enter your answer __________
5. What do you love the most about McDonald Avenue and the surrounding areas?
Enter your answer __________
6. What are the three most pressing issues facing the Coney Island
Avenue and McDonald Avenue corridors and the surrounding areas?
Please select three:
Please select at most 3 options.
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Affordable Housing
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Job Opportunities
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Healthcare
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Environmental Issues (Flooding, Air Quality, Extreme Heat, etc)
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Parks and Open Space
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Street Conditions
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Public Safety
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Public Transit Access
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Arts, Culture, and Entertainment
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Other
7. What is your biggest hope for the future of Coney Island Avenue, McDonald Avenue, and the surrounding areas?
Enter your answer __________
8. What questions do you have about Coney Island Avenue and/or McDonald Avenue?
Enter your answer __________
9. There are many ways to participate in this neighborhood planning
process. How do you want to stay involved? (select all that apply)
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I want to participate in public meetings
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I want to receive email updates
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I want to use online tools to add my opinions
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I want to invite the planning team to my meetings or events
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Other
10. If you would like to receive email updates about the planning process, please add your email here
Enter your answer __________
11. Which local organizations or community groups should be involved in the planning process?
Enter your answer __________
12. How did you hear about this survey?
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NYC Planning
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Elected Official's Office
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Other
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