I was looking over Community Board 9's recent budget requests for 2010 — a sort of wish list of what they'd like the City to do for our district. Much of it deals with Crown Heights and Wingate, but I thought I'd highlight things directly affecting PLG. The items are numbered in order of priority, with 1 being the highest and 36 lowest. So here we go:
CB9 Request #3:Reconstruct Empire Boulevard from Utica to Flatbush
Empire Boulevard is a major street through the center of Community District 9. Its reconstruction and beautification would enhance the approach to Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. It was the site of Ebbets Field and could become a memorial to the exploits of the Brooklyn Dodgers with the installation of a monument along the Boulevard commemorating such events.
NYC Department of Transportation Response: "This capital project is included in the agency's departmental estimates for the out years." According to CB9 President Pearl Miles, the "out years" here means "sometime in the future - nothing specific at this time." In other words, "dream on."
I can't get too excited about monuments, but more greenery would be great. As it is now, Empire is a charmless no-mans-land for automobiles.
CB9 Request #19:Acquire Property at Flatbush Ave/Empire Blvd/Ocean Ave. for the Creation of Additional Open Space in the District. 
This City-owned property is being used to park the personal vehicles of NYC Transit Authority personnel. Acquisition of this property will allow the transformation of this eyesore into desperately needed open space for the community.
Department of Parks and Recreation Response: [Our] funds are insufficient for this project. We recommend this project be brought to the attention of your elected officials, i.e. Borough President and/or City Council member.
Great idea. Why shouldn't workers for the Transit Authority ride transit like the rest of us? It's not as if this location doesn't have plenty of bus and subway options. Converted into green space, this would make a much-welcome entry point to the nabe.
CB9 Request #29:
Initiate a Traffic Calming Study of Community District 9.
A study will identify within the district where traffic calming principles can be implemented to create safe roadway use for both pedestrians and vehicular traffic in this largely residential district.
Department of Transportation response: Please contact the Borough Commissioner's office to discuss this request.
Hey, this sounds familiar! We proposed a traffic calming study of the Ocean and Parkside intersection, a more modest request timed to take advantage of the Lakeside development. It's highly unlikely that the DOT would seriously consider anything as ambitious as a study of the whole district in these economic times.
CB9 Request #34:
Rehabilitate the Winthrop Street Subway Station - #2, 5 IRT Lines.
This station shows various signs of deterioration, and should be renovated and upgraded to meet standards projected for the rest of the IRT system.
Transit Authority Response: No funding, no dice.
CB9 Requests #35 and #36:Renovate the Oriental Pavilion and Restore the Concert Grove in Prospect Park. Department of Parks and Recreation Response: [Our] funds are insufficient for this project. We recommend this project be brought to the attention of your elected officials, i.e. Borough President and/or City Council member.
This area is slated to be restored as part of the Lakeside Center project, though it's doubtful that the budget includes much of anything for the Pavilion. That said, I kinda appreciate the decay here. It's a cool space regardless.
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