Last night NP attended a presentation on “Planting the Seeds for Change – Cultivating an Inclusive Plan for Community District 8” prepared by masters students of the Neighborhood Planning and Preservation Studio at Pratt.  The project was overseen by Professors John Shapiro and Vicki Weiner.

Drawing from the advice, input, and feedback of various stakeholders in the community, the students presented an ambitious, yet comprehensive vision to “stimulate the economy, invigorate the public realm, rehabilitate untapped resources, and celebrate the cultural heritage” of Prospect Heights, Crown Heights (North) and Weeksville. In particular, their plan for Crown Heights included, among other suggestions:

• a new affordable and mixed used zone in the industrial corridors of the neighborhood,
• creating a Nostrand Avenue Restaurant Row
• opening a “Crown Heights School of Beauty” on Nostrand
• opening a movie theater on Sterling
• new lighting along Franklin
• reviving Kingston Lounge
• revitalizing the bike paths along Bergen
• adding affordable housing on top of the Brower Park library
• restoring and protecting the community murals

With the students’ permission, we’ve scanned copies of the executive summary: Inclusive Plan for CD8 (Executive Summary) and written presentation: Inclusive Plan for CD 8 (Comprehensive).  They also will be sending have provided us a copy of the Pratt CD8 Cultivation Plan Presentation, which includes numerous renderings of their proposed projects.

As compared to some other planning programs, Pratt’s program, at least according to one student we spoke with, really emphasizes a bottom-up, community based approach to planning.  So their project was specifically designed to enhance the existing structures and amenities of the neighborhood rather than overhaul them. We really hope that at least some of these projects can be realized in the community.

Unfortunately, as this was just a semester long class, many of the students will be moving on to other ventures.  It will be up to members of the community to really take the reigns of this project.  Councilwoman Letitia James had a representative at the presentation.  In addition, representatives from CB8, Crow Hill Community Association, Crown Heights Revitalization Movement and Crown Heights North Association, were in attendance, however we wish there had been an even stronger showing (some representatives actually represented multiple groups).  As emphasized at the presentation, it will take the work and collaboration of the various community members to make this happen.