East NY Leader Praises Gov. Cuomo's New $1.4 Billion Brooklyn Plan

BROOKLYN, NY — Council Member Rafael Espinal, who represents East New York, Cypress Hills, Bushwick and Brownsville, applauded Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan announced on Thursday to allot $1.4 billion to Central Brooklyn for improving crime rates, education systems and other public utilities. The governor's plan, called Vital Brooklyn, seeks to help neighborhoods in Brooklyn that have fallen behind other nearby neighborhoods in certain indicators of wealth and prosperity.

"I have long said that we have to do more than just build affordable housing," Espinal said Thursday. "Our communities, which have long been disserved by years of neglect and disinvestment, deserve a thorough approach to their growth and wellness."

Espinal went on to praise the governor for planning to build 3,000 units of "sorely needed affordable and supportive housing." The council member said he looks forward to the governor's plan helping to bring jobs to Brooklyn, prevent violence, support underserved schools and improve Brooklynites' access to healthy food and open space.

"This plan is comprehensive, bold, and necessary. I look forward to working with the Governor to implement these investments and partner with his administration for the betterment of our beloved Brooklyn," Espinal said.

Neighborhoods in Central Brooklyn experience crime and unemployment rates higher than the city and state averages. In 2016, the murder rate in the 75th precinct, which encompasses most of Brownsville and East New York, was 0.1255 Murders per 1,000 residents, according to an NYPD map of crime data by precinct. Bushwick had the highest murder rate of all Brooklyn precincts in 2016, at 0.1754 murders per 1,000 residents.

Cuomo's plan allots $700 million to improve health care systems in Central Brooklyn, including helping create a network of 36 ambulatory care centers, the governor outlined in his executive budget.

"We are going to employ a new holistic plan that will bring health and wellness to one of the most disadvantaged parts of the state," Cuomo said. "Every New Yorker deserves to live in a safe neighborhood with access to jobs, health care, affordable housing, green spaces and healthy food, but you can't address one of these without addressing them all."

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