City plans to upzone Prospect Park South to add thousands of units
The City Planning Commission is seeking zoning changes that would allow taller, denser and more affordable housing on the two corridors.
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani says the city is planning a significant expansion of housing in Prospect Park South, with a proposal to add about 1,000 new units along McDonald Avenue and Coney Island Avenue, many of them permanently affordable.
The City Planning Commission is seeking zoning changes that would allow taller, denser and more affordable housing on the two corridors. Officials say the next phase depends on community feedback, and residents are already weighing in.
Janice Hamann, who lives near the area, said the neighborhood needs more housing.
“We want neighbors we pushed for the existing upzoning that happened in 2009," she said but added her and other residents of the nearby Beverly Square West historic district want to be have clarity on the boundaries of the project.
“My feedback is build, but build in a way that doesn’t destroy something unique and special,” said resident Lisa Draho adding "we want to make sure the units that do come are actually affordable."
Alice Barrett, who lives near Coney Island Avenue, said the commercial corridor is the right place for new development.
“It’s low‑rise at the commercial area. It’s not a green space,” she said. “When you look in this direction toward our neighborhood, this is a green oasis.”
Local businesses say more residents would bring much‑needed foot traffic.
“That’d be great,” said Muheed Ali, who owns a Gyro and Cookie Store on Coney Island Avenue. “The more people can come, the better.”
The proposed corridors would intersect with the planned Interborough Express, which would connect South Brooklyn with outer Queens.
Planning Commission official Sideya Sherman said the project creates an opportunity to build housing around future transit.
“This is a community that will have to have a line in the future,” she said.
She says residents will also be able to weigh in on what should come with the new development, including the potential for more parks, public spaces, and other zoning changes to many of the current surface lots, and industrial zoned spaces.
News 12 was told the public comment period will last one year, before any plans move forward.
