Part of a section of Atlantic Avenue set for rezoning to move away from low-density industrial use to allow for more homes and community space. Image Credit: Google Maps.
On March 19, 2025, Mayor Eric Adams and Department of City Planning Director and City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick celebrated the City Planning Commission’s approval of the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan. The plan, which covers a 21-block area around Atlantic Avenue between Vanderbilt and Nostrand Avenues in Central Brooklyn, aims to create 4,600 new homes and bring 2,800 permanent jobs to the area.
The plan’s covered area currently includes zoning for one-to-two story industrial buildings and storage, which results in many vacant lots, self-storage, and auto shops in the area, despite the area’s central location and proximity to mass transit. The plan’s rezoning allows for the creation of approximately 4,600 new homes, including 1,440 income-restricted affordable homes. The plan also allows for the creation of approximately 828,000 square feet of commercial and community facility use. The plan includes the creation of the Special Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use District.
The redevelopment also includes several city and nonprofit-owned sites in the neighborhood, including 542 Dean Street, 526 Bergen Street, and 1134-1142 Pacific Street. These buildings include housing for older, lower-income households and formerly homeless New Yorkers. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s Partners in Preservation Program will also give a $3 million investment to community groups who work in anti-tenant harassment and displacement to help preserve existing affordable housing.
The plan also includes investments in the neighborhood’s infrastructure and public spaces. St. Andrew’s Playground will receive $24.2 million in improvements including a new synthetic turf multi-use field, running track, upgraded basketball and handball courts, remodeled restrooms, plantings, seating, and other green infrastructure. Lowry Triangle near Washington and Atlantic Avenue will also receive upgrades. Street safety upgrades include the addition of “neckdowns,” or raised curb extensions that narrow travel lanes at intersection or mid-block locations; daylighting to improve visibility; and new bike corrals and bike lanes along Bedford Avenue.
The process to create the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan included extensive community feedback, including over 20 meetings or workshops with elected officials, local community boards, residents and community partners. The meetings resulted in the Community Vision and Priorities Report, released in 2023.
The plan now goes to the City Council for review.
Mayor Adams stated, “With today’s vote, we come one step closer to turning the ambitious Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan from a proposal into reality. The plan is a powerful reminder that government is still capable of delivering visionary and vital projects. This community-led proposal will build more affordable housing, create more jobs, and bring more public spaces for working-class families to live, play, and thrive. Across all the five boroughs, our administration is continuing to deliver bold, transformational housing projects that our city needs to build our way out of this generational affordable housing crisis.”
City Planning Director Garodnick stated, “Atlantic Avenue has been held back by outdated zoning for far too long. A central corridor like this should be a vibrant place for residents and workers alike, and that’s exactly what this plan will achieve. With today’s vote, this Brooklyn community is one step closer to getting affordable homes, jobs, and infrastructure improvements it needs. Thanks to the City Planning Commissioners for their support.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the Editor of CityLand and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)