One Brooklyn
BROOKLYN, NY, July 5, 2018: Today, as part of his Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) recommendation to approve with conditions a land use application submitted by 57 Caton Partners, LLC to rezone a portion of a block bounded by Caton Place, East 8th Street, and Ocean Parkway in Windsor Terrace in order to facilitate development of a nine-story, mixed-use building, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams highlighted his request for the developer to engage in negotiations with the new owner of Kensington Stables in an effort to preserve that community institution. The current home of the riding academy was sold last December by its longtime owners, and its new management has expressed intent to maintain the stables in that building for at least five years in its current form. Borough President Adams emphasized the importance of protecting Kensington Stables and its public programming, which has shaped generations of avid riders.
“I believe that the Kensington Stables are such a unique asset to Brooklyn, especially because of their close proximity to Prospect Park as well as the area’s excellent transit connections,” said Borough President Adams. “These ULURP recommendations were crafted in pursuit of broader community considerations, in particular the preservation of an invaluable resource that is one of our borough’s most treasured amenities.”
This call is the latest effort that his administration has made to help preserve the historic institution that has been a hallmark of the local community since 1917, providing an enhanced quality-of-life for local residents as well as equestrian training for avid horseback riders from across the city, including children’s programs, lessons, pony rides, teen horsemanship, and trail rides. Borough President Adams, who last April re-directed $500,000 of Brooklyn Borough Hall’s capital budget to help purchase the stables, encouraged the applicant to actively engage with the new owner of Kensington Stables in discussions for a permanent solution that envisions a newly-constructed horse stables facility on a portion of the Ocean Parkway frontage across from Prospect Park, providing a convenience for horseback riders seeking to use the park for equestrian activities.
As part of his ULURP recommendations, Borough President Adams also responded to community input regarding safety concerns at Machate Circle, particularly pertaining to horseback riders interacting with cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles traveling at the busy intersection, which provides access to Fort Hamilton Parkway, Ocean Parkway, and the Prospect Expressway from Coney Island Avenue, Parkside Avenue, and Prospect Park Southwest. Though the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) implemented traffic-calming measures at the roadway in 2009, as well as closed Park Drive to vehicle traffic last year, Borough President Adams called for an updated evaluation of potential ways of improving safety for cyclists, equestrian riders, and pedestrians alike as part of the City’s Vision Zero plans in consultation with Brooklyn Community Board 7 (CB 7), the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks), the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and local community leaders. His recommendations also addressed local concerns regarding stormwater drainage issues by calling for the applicant to engage with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on a camera investigation of sewer capacity and the current conditions of storm sewers in and around the site, including under major roadways such as Caton Place, Coney Island Avenue, East 8th Street, and Ocean Parkway. Additionally, Borough President Adams strongly encouraged the applicant to commit to a building service workforce that is recruited from the local population and paid prevailing wages with appropriate benefits.
Borough President Adams’ recommendations, which can be accessed online by visiting brooklyn-usa.org/ulurp, will be considered by the City Planning Commission (CPC) as part of their public hearing on Wednesday, July 11th.
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