Brooklyn block 3243, lot 65

This lot was designated part of an Urban Development Action Area in 2006: http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=445892&GUID=338F35C6-D703-43AC-B1AD-58F00EBA148C

This means this land can be transferred from the City to a private developer without full public review. Since the designation was over a year ago, it might not be valid still but the City will likely try to rely on it in avoiding public hearings.

Neighbors got in touch today and tipped us off that this lot was missing from the map. They want to create a garden here. We responded to them directly after adding it:

Getting official permission to turn this lot into a garden will be hard in the current political climate, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. As you correctly note, it is in the inventory of Housing Preservation and Development, the City agency that works with housing developers to create new construction on public land. It is possible for communities to get access to HPD land, but it means getting another agency to take jurisdiction. You can read about the process here: http://livinglotsnyc.org/pathways/access-nyc-hpd-land/

This lot was placed in a program last year that offered the land for free to developers. Scroll down to see the note that says, "This lot is included in the City's New Infill Homeownership Opportunities Program, http://www1.nyc.gov/site/hpd/developers/request-for-qualifications/nihop-ncp-rfq.page. Developers have been invited to submit proposals to build 10-20 units of condo or cooperative housing on this site."

I have reached out to HPD to find out the status of the offer made last year. If there is no developer selected yet, you may still be able to organize a different use - like a garden!

You can begin organizing your neighbors to create a campaign that will convince the Parks Department that your community group will be successful stewards. Here are some things you might consider gathering as you organize your neighbors, which will help you build a successful campaign:

• A mission or vision statement that lists benefits to the community;


• A letter from the local Community Board (Community District Brooklyn 4 ( bk04@cb.nyc.gov / 718-628-8400 ), district manager: Nadine Whitted);


• A name for the proposed garden/group being formed to look after the garden;


• List of community members interested in the project (at least 10 names, addresses, phone numbers, emails)


• Sketch or rendering of project


• List of partners/sponsors/endorsers (including churches, school, local business, city agencies, etc.)


• Some letters of support from elected officials are also helpful.

I’ll let you know what I hear back from HPD. I suggest also reaching out to your Council Member - http://council.nyc.gov/d34/html/members/home.shtml - and asking if his staff are aware of any plans for the lot. The Community Board, contact info above, may have current status info as well.

This lot is included in the City's New Infill Homeownership Opportunities Program.

http://www1.nyc.gov/site/hpd/developers/request-for-qualifications/nihop-ncp-rfq.page

Developers have been invited to submit proposals to build 10-20 units of condo or cooperative housing on this site.