NYC Gazette

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso has unveiled "The Comprehensive Plan for Brooklyn," aiming to tackle the borough's pressing housing and public health challenges through strategic land use, policy, and budgetary recommendations. The plan is not a rezoning proposal but serves as a guide for future decisions.

Reynoso highlighted the need for comprehensive planning, stating, "Levels of homelessness not seen since the Great Depression, stormwaters flooding our streets and buildings, poor health outcomes in low-income communities – that is what a city that fails to plan looks like." He emphasized that the plan addresses disparities across Brooklyn with an aim to solve these inequities.

The plan includes over 100 maps visualizing various inequities and offers frameworks for applying recommendations spatially across the borough. It draws attention to significant differences in life expectancy between neighborhoods such as Brownsville and Park Slope. This effort is not intended to replace citywide planning but rather inform land use decisions and provide data for stakeholders.

The development of the plan began after Reynoso took office in January 2022. It involved collaboration with organizations such as the Regional Plan Association (RPA), New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM), and Hester Street. An Advisory Committee comprising over 25 organizations provided feedback throughout its creation.

Moses Gates from RPA praised the initiative: "The Comprehensive Plan for Brooklyn demonstrates how planning can be responsive and proactive in meeting the needs of communities across a wide range of issue areas." Lori Frank from NYAM called it a "groundbreaking commitment" linking urban planning with health equity.

Other community leaders echoed support. Eva Neubauer Alligood from Hester Street acknowledged Reynoso's commitment to addressing dual crises through equitable recommendations. Dr. Tenyá Blackwell from Arthur Ashe Institute highlighted the importance of using a public health lens in strategic planning.

Regina Myer from Downtown Brooklyn Partnership applauded the focus on infrastructure improvement for better quality of life, while Adam Ganser from New Yorkers for Parks emphasized its role in transformative infrastructure development supporting parks and open spaces.

Scott Short from RiseBoro Community Partnership viewed it as crucial for reducing inequities, while Tara Duvivier from Pratt Center saw it as addressing shortcomings in current processes by creating an informed framework.

Blondel Pinnock from Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation described it as historic for guiding future growth equitably. Wayne Ho from Chinese-American Planning Council noted its significance amid COVID-19 impacts on low-income communities.

Zahirah McNatt from NYC Department of Health appreciated its honest look at current conditions and commitment to equity. Chris Walters from ANHD praised it as a step towards transparent, equitable planning processes citywide.

Danny Harris from Transportation Alternatives supported investing in people-first infrastructure projects. Jackson Chabot from Open Plans saw it fostering livability through innovative policies like reimagining curb space.

Lisa Daglian from PCAC stressed connecting housing plans with transit access improvements, while Eric McClure from StreetsPAC lauded smart planning efforts ensuring citizens' well-being.