United Neighbors of Prospect and Crown Heights (UNPCH) is a grassroots group of neighbors, first responders and small businesses working together to find an equitable solution to shared street usage in the Prospect and Crown Heights community.  The DOT's recent redesign of Underhill Avenue, which we believe to be unnecessary, has introduced a host of problematic issues to the residents, public school and businesses along its corridor and in the neighboring blocks. In addition, the ongoing  Vanderbilt Open Streets project has had a deleterious effect on businesses and residents both on Vanderbilt and adjoining streets. These aggressive street closures have caused unprecedented traffic congestion on Atlantic and Washington Avenues as well as the side streets. We are calling on the DOT, Mayor’s office and our elected reps to come together and help us negotiate a solution that works for the community at large.

 

A little background…

Prospect Heights, located in close proximity to downtown Brooklyn, Barclays Stadium, Prospect Park, The Brooklyn Botanical garden and the Brooklyn Museum, among other community amenities, is home to  a tapestry of residents. In 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the neighborhood began establishing the Open Streets program in order to allow neighbors to meet outdoors while allowing for social distancing. The program, managed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in partnership with a local organization PHNDC began implementing Open Streets in two areas:

 

• Vanderbilt Avenue is closed  to through traffic from Friday 4- 11 pm and Saturday and Sundays from 11am to 11pm. The program currently runs from April through October.

 

• Underhill Avenue was designated a Limited Local Access Open Street from Monday- Thursday 8 am- 8pm and Fridays from 8 am to 4 pm throughout the year. 

 

During the COVID pandemic, the Open Streets model provided additional outdoor seating to restaurants on Vanderbilt Avenue allowing them to continue their revenue streams. In April of 2020 Int 1933, The Open Streets Program, was introduced in the City Council to formalize this structure under the DOT as well as provide a funding stream. The law was signed by Mayor Bill Deblasio in May of 2021. Although considered a betterment by some in the community, Open Streets have also negatively impacted the safety, accessibility, and quality of life for many of the local residents.

 

The Open Streets program in our area may have been a welcome change during the pandemic, but post-pandemic it has become a more complicated issue.  Despite claims otherwise, more than 1,200 Prospect Heights residents and business owners say they had no idea these changes were going to be permanent and have serious concerns about the impact these closures are having on our community. Learn more about how each of our local blocks has been impacted:

 

• Vanderbilt Avenue

• Underhill Avenue

• Washington Avenue

 

UNPCH is a grassroots coalition of neighbors, businesses and first responders dedicated to raising community awareness and leveraging our collective voices for positive change to our Prospect and Crown Heights neighborhoods. Send us a message if you are a PH/CH artist, business or musician you'd like us to highlight. All are welcome to join!

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