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, unelected organization PHNDC began implementing Open Streets in two areas:

•  During the 2023 season, Vanderbilt Avenue was closed to through traffic from Friday 4- 11 pm and Saturday and Sundays from 11am to 11pm. The program ran from April through October.
• This year, Opens streets runs from May to September with operating hours modified to
  • Fridays 5pm to 10pm (street closing starting at 4pm during peak rush hour)
  • Saturdays 12pm to 10pm (street closing starting at 11am)
  • Sundays 12pm to 5pm (street closing starting at 11am)

• 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 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. During a community meeting with the DOT, our own City Council Crystal Hudson, reiterated the poor lack of community outreach that was conducted by the DOT in notify the community of changes.

Learn more about how each of our local blocks has been impacted:

• Vanderbilt Avenue
• Underhill Avenue
• Washington Avenue