Town Hall To Discuss Future Of Prospect Heights' Open Streets

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Brooklynites can help decide the future of Prospect Heights' popular Open Streets at a Town Hall meeting later this month.

The Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council — which runs the Open Streets on Vanderbilt and Underhill avenues — will host a virtual Town Hall and workshop with the city's Department of Transportation on Nov. 15, according to their Facebook page.

The meeting will help develop a vision for the future of the Open Streets, which the city has been exploring how to make permanent.

"Truly permanent open streets on Vanderbilt Avenue and Underhill Avenue could be transformative for Prospect Heights," PHNDC wrote. "...At this event, you’ll hear what your neighbors are saying about the neighborhood’s open streets, and what you can expect next year and in years to come."

The Open Streets on Vanderbilt and Underhill returned this year after a popular first season in 2020, when the city allowed certain blocks to close to help New Yorkers dine and spend time outside during the coronavirus crisis.

Vanderbilt Avenue became a popular outdoor dining destination, while Underhill Avenue was closed to cars to allow pedestrians and cyclists more room to social distance.

The streets are among a small percentage of Open Streets across the city that have stayed operational as organizers struggle with resources. A study found that only 46 percent of Open Streets citywide were actually active despite being listed on the Department of Transportation's list of the open spaces.

In Crown and Prospect Heights, Vanderbilt and Underhill were the only two of the neighborhoods' six Open Streets that were up and running, according to the study.

Here's what you need to know about the upcoming Town Hall:

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.

WHERE: You may register for the web conference at http://forms.phndc.org/open-street-town-hall.

WHO: Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council, New York City Department of Transportation and Arup architecture.

Find out more here.