ANHD 2016 Building the Community Development Movement
Sometime, an empty lot isn’t quite right for affordable housing development – it’s just the wrong size, shape, or zoning. But that doesn’t mean that CDCs and the community can’t still use it to benefit the community.
Recently, the Pratt Area Community Council and a non-profit called 596 Acres teamed up to transform an empty lot on Myrtle Street and Kent Avenue in Bed-Stuy owned by the Department of Environmental Protection. Because the lot sits next to the site of an access shaft for water Tunnel #3, any kind of development is unlikely. But that doesn’t mean it should be accessible to the community. Instead of a fenced and unmaintained lot, there’s now a community garden. And the best part is that since it’s owned by a CDC it’s community-controlled – meaning the people of the neighborhood will get to decide how the garden will be used. If you want to be involved, steering committee meetings are every Tuesday from 6:30 – 8:00 at the park (636 Myrtle Avenue). For more information go to http://www.myrtlepark.org/