Brooklyn neighborhood plagued with flooding, poor infrastructure to receive $75 million investment

Officials say the Jewel Street neighborhood known as "the hole" has been neglected by the city for decades.

News 12 Staff

Jun 25, 2023, 2:26 AM

Updated 398 days ago

Share:

A Brooklyn neighborhood that has been plagued with flooding, poor infrastructure and waste for decades will receive a $75 million investment from the city.
Residents who live in the Jewel Street neighborhood say it is long overdue.
Unpaved roads, abandoned property and garbage are seen all over the area.
"This Jewel Street neighborhood, also known as 'the hole,' has been disregarded for decades by New York City," said Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr.
Residents like Julisa Rodriguez, who moved to the neighborhood 15 years ago, have been forced to bear the brunt.
"We couldn't really afford a house in New York. We found this great opportunity and we bought the house thinking it would be marvelous," Rodriguez said.
But that was not the case.
Rodriguez quickly learned the neighborhood sits 15 feet below the surrounding area, making it prone to major flooding.
"From there on, everything went downhill, we had mold, we had to replace all the walls pertaining to all the apartments," she said.
Over the last several decades, the conditions have continued to worsen.
"Overgrown weeds, crime, homeless people just taking over the empty lots," Rodriguez said.
Now the neighborhood conditions have finally caught the attention of the city, which has announced a $75 million investment to fix "the hole."
"We really need to start thinking about the future, about housing, about jobs, about quality of life," Carrión said.
On Saturday, the city held its first workshop at the Spring Creeks Garden Community Center to get feedback from residents.
Rodriguez said she has a few ideas in mind.
"I think personally they would need to raise the street and connect us to the sewer and then start redeveloping the area, adding sidewalks, street signs," she said.
The city will hold a few more workshops over the next few months. The city hopes to release a plan for the neighborhood by next spring.


More from News 12
0:32
Police arrest man in connection to shooting murders in Clinton Hill

Police arrest man in connection to shooting murders in Clinton Hill

1:40
Nearly 300 probationary firefighters join the ranks of FDNY

Nearly 300 probationary firefighters join the ranks of FDNY

1:46
Sunny and warm weather with lower humidity for the weekend in Brooklyn

Sunny and warm weather with lower humidity for the weekend in Brooklyn

1:54
East Flatbush residents 'Occupy the Corner' for a safe summer

East Flatbush residents 'Occupy the Corner' for a safe summer

1:24
G train shutdown impacting Bed-Stuy commuters negatively

G train shutdown impacting Bed-Stuy commuters negatively

1:44
Gun detectors could arrive in NYC subway stations today as NYPD prepares pilot program

Gun detectors could arrive in NYC subway stations today as NYPD prepares pilot program

1:43
Welder Underground unveils ‘Rappin' Max Robot’ through apprenticeship program

Welder Underground unveils ‘Rappin' Max Robot’ through apprenticeship program

0:47
Attorney General James releases body camera footage of fatal officer-involved shooting in East Flatbush

Attorney General James releases body camera footage of fatal officer-involved shooting in East Flatbush

0:24
Police: Suspect wanted for punching 72-year-old man at 25th Street subway station

Police: Suspect wanted for punching 72-year-old man at 25th Street subway station

1:54
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

1:44
The Real Deal: How to save on expenses amid rising costs in New York

The Real Deal: How to save on expenses amid rising costs in New York

1:36
Students set to receive OMNY cards with more rides and less restrictions

Students set to receive OMNY cards with more rides and less restrictions

1:31
Tenants in Flatbush building say they are living with broken floors, mold, leaks and holes

Tenants in Flatbush building say they are living with broken floors, mold, leaks and holes

1:41
Neighbors describe MTA bus crashing into Burger King in Kensington

Neighbors describe MTA bus crashing into Burger King in Kensington

1:46
YMCA promotes swim safety services on World Drowning Prevention Day

YMCA promotes swim safety services on World Drowning Prevention Day

0:37
Brooklyn DA: Former teacher accused of enticing teenagers to send him explicit images

Brooklyn DA: Former teacher accused of enticing teenagers to send him explicit images

1:14
New lawsuits filed against Gov. Hochul's congestion pricing plan pause

New lawsuits filed against Gov. Hochul's congestion pricing plan pause

1:35
Rally outside Brooklyn Public Library calls for end to alleged 'power grab' from Mayor Adams

Rally outside Brooklyn Public Library calls for end to alleged 'power grab' from Mayor Adams

1:55
Residents say rats are taking over Sheepshead Bay street

Residents say rats are taking over Sheepshead Bay street

0:29
Southwest breaks 50-year tradition and will assign seats; profit falls at Southwest, American

Southwest breaks 50-year tradition and will assign seats; profit falls at Southwest, American