Imagine Kensington 2030?

The issues surrounding Culver El rezoning (lack of public space, impact on public services, limited public notification, and so on) highlight a number of concerns:

1. Kensington has not been meaningfully represented for some time now. Brad Lander's election has brought us the attention we deserve at the City Hall, as well as a new member on the Community Board 12, which is the city's body established for communicating an area resident's needs and concerns to the city's agencies and covers Kensington, along Borough Park and Midwood, even though it does not say that on their website.

2. The importance of looking at a neighborhood and its needs as a whole, not just in small increments when a rezoning is called for;  a more comprehensive plan for where new schools, playgrounds, and public space can be built in the neighborhood, along with zoning and allowed uses.

Maybe it is time for a vision of what Kensington could be? What exactly is the unique character of Kensington and how that can be best transmitted into the future? What pieces of past should be preserved and celebrated? What can be let go and redeveloped?  Municipal Arts Society did an Imagine Flatbush 2030 project a couple of years back, maybe its time for Kensington?[Municipal Arts Society is also hosting a one day free conference next week on land use in NYC, and promises a discussion on need for reform of current practices.]