UNCOVERING WEEKSVILLE | 1 Salazar Villaseñor Oksuz Duru Fernanda Fernanda Maria Mónica TEAM IV SPRING 2016 SPRING Al-Thani Benítez Carrillo EXISTING CONDITIONS MEMO CONDITIONS EXISTING WEEKSVILLE UNCOVERING UNCOVERING URBAN PLANNING METHODS & PRACTICE METHODS PLANNING URBAN Santiago Santiago Francisca Francisca this existing conditions, subject to future changes. future subject to conditions, this existing Mubarak Nasser Nasser Mubarak in order to identify the challenges and opportunities identify the challenges to in order plan for development the vision of a new that will guide a carried out through study was the neighborhood. The and sites in official web research visit, observation, site and delimitations, land use, zoning Spatial data analysis. of the initial guidance provide statistics demographic The purpose of this memo is to describe the current describe the current purpose of this memo is to The in Weeksville, and subareas of the study area conditions UNCOVERING WEEKSVILLE | 2 STUDY AREA STUDY west is Schenectady Avenue is Schenectady Avenue west Avenue Pl, and Troy until Sterling Avenue. until Atlantic in Kings County: Tracts nine Census the following defined by are Subareas 359 353, 357, 351, 349, 345, 347, 309, 307, Tract Census with the most accurate adjust the analysis chosen to were areas sub The All blocks on these tracts. Bureau the Census by and statistics given information the current for account into and lots within these boundaries will be taken memo. analysis existing In this first breakdown, the main breakdown, In this first will be the study area focus to Avenue Atlantic defined by the to the North, Ralph Avenue Avenue York East, East New with Ralph Avenue intersecting the to Avenue Rochester and Street, south along with Crown Avenue Rochester intersecting and Schenectady Avenue. the defining the limits to Finally, Kings County » Weeksville, bounded by Crown Heights, Ocean Hill, Heights, Ocean Crown bounded by » Weeksville, Kings County and East Flatbush. Lefferts Prospect Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, map 17A and 17B. District 8. Zoning Community SUB-AREAS STUDY AREA & STUDY CONTEXT AREA CONTEXT UNCOVERING WEEKSVILLE | 3 % 6% 19% 19% 56% In terms of public of public In terms it is fair transportation is that the area say to connected. well 1 3 3 9 # Long Long South, where the most the most South, where ↔ Gardens Garden Community Playgrounds Parks TYPE West on Atlantic Avenue and Avenue on Atlantic West ↔ serves the area: Blue Line with trains A and C A and C trains Blue Line with the area: serves there are 7( 14 - 15 - 17 - 25 - 45 - 46 - 65) different 7( 14 - 15 - 17 - 25 - 45 - 46 - 65) different are there crosses from East from crosses subway lines subway Buses West, where the most importants are Eastern Parkway, Atlantic Avenue Avenue Atlantic Parkway, Eastern importants the most are where West, ↔ Additionally, Eastern Parkway (*) mentioned above as one of the main arteries (*) mentioned above Parkway Eastern Additionally, landmark of the area. as a scenic also designated of the neighborhood was 16 components of study has zone broader The community parks, including space open of and playground. gardens gardens, The main reference point in the area, given its unique historical background , background unique historical its given point in the area, main reference The African- largest as Brooklyn’s Recognized Center.(*) Heritage is the Weeksville to institution, is a multidisciplinary museum dedicated American cultural American community African of the 19th century the history preserving black communities. free first - one of America’s Brooklyn of Weeksville, and Bergen Road on Hunterfly with six houses counts the area Additionally Landmark NYC by of 1970 of august the 18 as landmarks designated Street Commission. Preservation Regarding Regarding the Additionally, dwellers. the area used by constantly routes Island Rail Road Train York East New The our study area. points close to access two are there station is Train Avenue and the Nostrand Utica Avenue Station is 1.5 miles from point. same reference the 1 mile from to infrastructure has adequate the study area transportation, of active In regards Complementary above. Specially in the main paths mentioned walkability. ensure has 5 CityRacks, area use. The the bike promote to is also infrastructure there path on bicycle 2=>east 1=>north) and one protected lanes (2=>west 5 bike points. access with specific Parkway Eastern Avenue. We identified an important node along the commercial corridor in Utica in Utica corridor an important identified node along the commercial We Avenue. Avenue Atlantic floor. the use of ground dominate stores retails where Avenue, along circulation, also an important node of pedestrian and motorized becomes main with the nodes concur These Street. and Fulton Parkway with Eastern of the neighborhood. paths pedestrian and vehicular connected. is well the area that say to it is fair of public transportation In terms different Three 4 Line with train the Green and Ralph Ave), Ave Utica (Station: 3 Line with train the Red and Heights/Utica Ave) Crown (Station: Ave). Heights/Utica Crown (Station: During the site visit, we establish the existence of a complete street system that that system street a complete of existence the establish visit, we the site During connecting paths 17 are There neighborhood. the throughout mobility guarantees East North paths connection 6 are There Street. and Fulton Ralph and Avenue Buffalo Avenue, Rochester Avenue, Utica importantsare

PARKS & PARKS OPEN SPACES LANDMARKS & LANDMARKS HERITAGE TRANSPORTATION & NODES FLOWS UNCOVERING WEEKSVILLE | 4 LAND USES AND ZONING AND USES LAND convenient stores and restaurants. and restaurants. stores convenient When analyzing the study area, it is possible to identify a clear pattern in pattern clear a identify to possible is it area, study the analyzing When site, The of Weeksville. land uses within the borders of the predominant terms major sections, depending on the building’s two be divided into then, could (specifically the northern area part arterial to focus of the roads: proximity large its in commercial, and industrial is Avenue) Atlantic surrounding units for reserved parcels portion of the neighborhood also has several This majority. and commercial high manufacturing relatively to parking lots, which responds use and public facilities south, the residential moves As the analysis presence. mainly development commercial start the land use, relegating dominate to and Parkway Eastern St. Johns Place, specifically Utica Avenue, along avenues are the local community, to uses, catering retail Commercial Avenue. Buffalo such as of small businesses consist and they Utica Avenue, across concentrated WEEKSVILLE LAND-USE MAP UNCOVERING WEEKSVILLE | 5 access to five bus lines (B14/1545/46/65). bus lines (B14/1545/46/65). five to access is (which R-6 zoned of neighborhood as identified the majority analysis The Floor the mentioned regulation, to According zone). residential medium density 27.5 from Ratio, Space the Open and 2.43 to 0.78 from ranges Ratio (FAR) Area 37.5. to become. While most of the developments built during the last two decades are decades are built during the last two While most of the developments become. residences. family density rise, low low are the majority housing types, multifamily there Parkway, and Eastern Avenue Atlantic between located the area Within purposes religious lots used for numerous and educational facilities five are distribution of is a great There organizations). religious and Jewish (Christian (along with Park and Arthur S. Somers St. Johns Park on the site, open space of six an equivalent cover Playground) at South Pacific found the open space lots used vacant identify several to it is possible Additionally, in total. blocks and 1123 St. Marks as 85-91 Schenectady Avenue such gardens as community a north-south of land in terms pattern perceived Just as the analysis Avenue. on the northern side and trains A/C by is served Weeksville use predomination, has community the that, to addition In end. southern the on lines 2/3/4/5 the by The further the analysis goes from the avenues the more residential the uses residential the more avenues the from goes further the analysis The UNCOVERING WEEKSVILLE | 6 2 B A A D - y 6 6 6 7 a 8 l r R R R R e C / s 2 v t - c 1 d O i

- r n l 8 t e a s i 1 i g C c K 1 5 3 3 2 1 3 r e D - - - - R - -

M e 1 L 2 4 8 4 6 7 1 A g R C C C M P R R R C m n i m n o o Z C K R 3 A - P 4 B 6 C D R 7 B K R

Lincoln Place K 6 R

Paci c Street R R A A P g

Park Place Sterling Place P

St John’s Place n i n o Z

Eastern Parkway e 6 l l

Dean Street Bergen Street St Marks Avenue Prospect Park R vi t Atlantic Avenue e e 1 0 ks -

Crown Street F 0 K e 8 1 3 , - R 1 e M 4 A 6 W C P R 0 2 - 5 3 8 , B 1 C 6 1

- R 7 President Street

Carroll Street

Union Street R 0 A 0 K 6 B 9 K K R 5 R 4 R R A R R A P A

P P 0 6 5 4 R 5 D 2 A 6 2 7 6 R R R 0 ¯ WEEKSVILLE MAP ZONING UNCOVERING WEEKSVILLE | 7 increase in the maximum commercial FAR. the maximum commercial in increase of commercial districts are located in proximity in proximity located districts are of commercial St. Johns Place, (Utica Avenue, arterialto roads The Avenue). and Buffalo Parkway Eastern by dominated neighborhood is predominantly districts commercial C4-3 and C8-2 C1-3; C2-3; small from vary (which its functionalities, and automotive and repair heavy to shops retail in bulk variations reflect subdivided to are uses) In medium- and parking load requirements. districts, plazas, commercial and high- density special permit, pedestrian amenities and, by an generate can improvements subway 1.0 and a community FAR of 2.4, paired districts mapped in Mixed Use Districts districts mapped in Mixed paired of 2.4, FAR and a community 1.0 permit a district (R1-R10), to an M1 district with a residential (MX), combine or district uses in the same zoning and non residential of residential mixture Use Districts). mapped under the Special Mixed are block (they most mentioned before, and just as we Finally, the interrelationship between a range of height factors, floor area ratios and and ratios floor area factors, of height a range between the interrelationship buildings in non-contextual limits for no height are There ratios. open space to allowed a building is not districts. Instead, R10 non-contextual R6 through base a specified from inwards plane, which slopes exposure a sky penetrate line. the street height above on the northern part our analysis of the neighborhood, and focusing Additionally, Avenue. Atlantic across corridor manufacturing identify a large to it is possible of M1-1 can point out the presence we map, zoning the to According of FAR (and commercial) maximum manufacturing district. With Manufacturing Just as seen in the map, the predominant zoning regulation (non-contextual (non-contextual regulation zoning predominant the the map, as seen in Just without of buildings development the encourage area the study for district) R-6 In R6 space. open by and surrounded the street set back from height limits regulations, factor as height known are the bulk regulations R9 districts, through involving set of rules a complex by is determined of a building the size where UNCOVERING WEEKSVILLE | 8

AGE: 25 to 29 - 7.6%25 to 34 - 7.0%30 to 39 - 5.7% 35 to - 7.2% 44 40 to - 6.6% 49 45 to 54 - 7.2%50 to - 5.4% 59 55 to 6460 to - 4.2% - 4.0% 69 65 to - 2.3% 74 to 70 79 - 1.8% to 75 84 - 1.1% 80 to r 85 and olde - 0.8% 5 and under - 8.3% 9 - 7.5% 5 to 14 - 7.1%10 to 19 - 8.3%15 to - 7.9% 24 20 to KINGS COUNTY WEEKSVILLE >85 AGE 80-84 (IN YEARS) 75-79 working population working work, to walks public use 73.4% transportation, while 16% use the automobile. Only 6.9% of the of Only 6.9% 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49 GENDER: FEMALE 58.3% MALE 41.7% 40-44 35-39 30-34 25-29

20-24 15-19 10-14 AGE: 15 to 19 - 8.3%15 to - 7.9% 24 20 to 29 - 7.6%25 to 34 - 7.0%30 to 39 - 5.7% 35 to - 7.2% 44 40 to - 6.6% 49 45 to 54 - 7.2%50 to - 5.4% 59 55 to 6460 to - 4.2% - 4.0% 69 65 to - 2.3% 74 to 70 79 - 1.8% to 75 84 - 1.1% 80 to r 85 and olde - 0.8% 5 and under - 8.3% 9 - 7.5% 5 to 14 - 7.1%10 to 5-9 TOTAL POPULATION: 29,983 GRAPH 1 AGE OF POPULATON IN KINGS COUNTY VS. WEEKSVILLE VS. IN KINGS COUNTY OF POPULATON AGE AGE AND SEX IN WEEKSVILLE POPULATION AND SEX IN WEEKSVILLE AGE >5 KINGS COUNTY WEEKSVILLE 1 3 7 2 5 6 9 8 4 0 10 >85 % AGE 80-84 (IN YEARS) 75-79 70-74 KNOWING THE POPULATION THE KNOWING 65-69 60-64 55-59 Source US Census Bureau, 2014 Bureau, US Census Source WEEKSVILLE AGE & SEX AGE WEEKSVILLE this used for information The the form comes visualizations Bureau. US Census are boundaries Weeksville’s tracts census defined by here 351, 349, 347, 345, 309, 307, and 359. 357 is a Weeksville neighborhood of 29,983, in in Kings County located Both York. of New the state and Kings Weeksville population have County’s at a concentrations bigger which starts age, younger 50 years declining around of age. is population Weeksville’s slightly older than the population of the county. 53.8% of Weeksville’s population is concentrated 0 and 39, the ages between of Kings 51% whereas population is County’s the between concentrated being 0 and 34. This ages said, as much as .% of population Weeksville’s and has between Kings to , compared years population which County’s of its 25.9% concentrates population in that range. female Weeksville’s a 58.3%population reaches and its male population a (this means that 41.7% 1.5 approximately are there each men in the for women age neighborhood). The the distribution between and male population female their having similar, are in the higher concentration and ages younger diminishing as population ages. 50-54 lengthens the duration of commutes for many. for of commutes lengthens the duration of the labor force is civilian working in the following industries: construction, retail retail industries: construction, in the following is civilian working of the labor force management estate, real finance, utlilities, information, transportation trade, art and recreation, (majority), education and social services and administration, population walks of the working Only 6.9% services. and food accommodation the use 16% while transportation, public use 73.4% work, to hint that figures alone. These of which drive majority automobile, population has jobs elsewhere, working most of Weeksville’s local economy. a lack of local opportunities due to possibly and weak outside work to of people commute percentage large a very Having manage to capacity on the city’s their neighborhood puts pressure jams and It also causes traffic maintain infrastructure. and traffic Overall Unemployment in Weeksville is higher than that of Kings County; 16.58% is higher than that of Kings County; in Weeksville Unemployment Overall is also poverty of people living below percentage The respectively. 10.60%, to Most 20.3%, respectively. to 37.9% city; York significantly higher than that of New 11.2% Asian. Age-wise, Weeksville’s population is mostly young; 53.8% of the young; population is mostly Weeksville’s 11.2% Age-wise, Asian. It may years. is 31.96 median age old while the population is under 39 years older than the population of the population is slightly seem that Weeksville’s population is under 34 years of Kings County’s that 51% the fact given county population is it is important that 31.2% note to of Weeksville’s However, of age. population is under 19. of Kings County’s while 25.9% under 19 years, The total population of Weeksville’s tracts that we are looking into is 29,983; is 29,983; looking into are that we tracts of Weeksville’s population total The is Kings County In contrast, females. males while (58.3%) are are (41.7%) higher ratios have in Weeksville Most areas females. males and 52.7% 47.3% and the Road Rail Island Long the closer to areas men, however than of women The opposite. the have area scope of the side upper in the zones manufacturing is White while 5.1% African-American, is 82.9% of the population majority than that of different significantly somewhat are numbers and 1.3% The Asian. and White 43.6% African-American, which is 33.9% Kings County, the entire 45-49 GENDER: FEMALE 58.3% MALE 41.7% 40-44 35-39 30-34 25-29 20-24 15-19 10-14 5-9 TRANSPORTATION UNEMPLOYMENT & UNEMPLOYMENT AGE, SEX & RACE AGE, TOTAL POPULATION: 29,983

AGE OF POPULATON IN KINGS COUNTY VS. WEEKSVILLE VS. IN KINGS COUNTY OF POPULATON AGE AGE AND SEX IN WEEKSVILLE POPULATION AND SEX IN WEEKSVILLE AGE >5

1 3 7 2 5 6 9 8 4 0 10 % Source US Census Bureau, 2014 Bureau, US Census Source WEEKSVILLE AGE & SEX AGE WEEKSVILLE The information used for this used for information The the form comes visualizations Bureau. US Census are boundaries Weeksville’s tracts census defined by here 351, 349, 347, 345, 309, 307, and 359. 357 is a Weeksville neighborhood of 29,983, in in Kings County located Both York. of New the state and Kings Weeksville population have County’s at a concentrations bigger which starts age, younger 50 years declining around of age. population is Weeksville’s slightly older than the population of the county. 53.8% of Weeksville’s population is concentrated 0 and 39, the ages between of Kings 51% whereas population is County’s the between concentrated being 0 and 34. This ages said, as much as .% of population Weeksville’s and has between Kings to , compared years population which County’s of its 25.9% concentrates population in that range. female Weeksville’s a 58.3%population reaches and its male population a (this means that 41.7% 1.5 approximately are there each men in the for women age neighborhood). The the distribution between and male population female their having similar, are in the higher concentration and ages younger diminishing as population ages. UNCOVERING WEEKSVILLE | 9

GRAPH 2 IN WEEKSVILLE HOUSEHOLDS NUMBER OF FAMILY TOTAL GRAPH 3 IN KINGS COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS OF FAMILY NUMBER TOTAL

Weeksville shares this distribution with the larger Kings County. Only 9.54% of Only 9.54% County. Kings with the larger this distribution shares Weeksville renter are 90.46% owner-occupied, are apartmentshomes or the area within larger the to compared when different significantly are numbers These occupied. owner-occupied. and apartments of homes are 29.53% where Kings County Graphs 2 and 3 depict household sizes in the scope area and Kings County in Kings County and area the scope in sizes household 3 depict 2 and Graphs non-family is slightly higher than households number of family Total general. of just “2-persons” comprised households are Most non-family households. persons. more 5, 6, 7 and even 3, 4, have to common are households while family HOUSEHOLD’S SIZE UNCOVERING WEEKSVILLE | 10 GRAPH 4 OCCUPIED KINGS COUNTY 2014 HOUSING UNITS, GRAPH 5 OCCUPIED WEEKSVILLE 2014 HOUSING UNITS, , 1 LOOKING AHEAD LOOKING (Rohe & Stewart, 1996). Stewart, & (Rohe 2 http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/01/24/Can-Too- Rohe, W. M., & Stewart, L. S. (1996). Homeownership and L. S. (1996). Homeownership M., & Stewart, W. Rohe, Many-Renters-Bring-Down-the-Neighborhood 2 7(1), 37-81. Debate, Housing Policy neighborhood stability. can by minimized by Weeksville’s cultural history. Weeksville is one Weeksville history. cultural Weeksville’s by minimized can by of its actual and 82.9% black communities, free first of America’s of the assets of the greatest One is African-American. population largest Brooklyn’s Center, Heritage neighborhood is Weeksville hospitable institution, which promotes cultural African-American living and preservation. 1 reinforced by inadequate pedestrian lighting. inadequate by reinforced renter are residences of Weeksville’s that 90.46% fact The it is not clear what is the Though pose a challenge. may occupied of home prices in terms density” “rental of a large effect direct stable and ownership home to associated values social are there lengths of longer maintenance, property housing. Improved just some of the are in civic affairs and higher involvement tenure more that promote homeownership to associated characteristics stable neighborhoods density” high “rental the area’s imposed by challenge possible The lack of local opportunities and weak local economy, and the challenges that this and the challenges local economy, lack of local opportunities and weak connection a has issue if this understand to useful also be will It impose. would land use. a mainly residential having with Weeksville is an opportunity there of the study area, infrastructure the adequate Considering must be this in mind, some challenges use. With and bike walkability promote to consider to it is necessary First, transportation. active successful for overcome is walkability Second, work. to population walks of the working that only 6.9% environment adequate the generating but by infrastructure, by only ensured not for Avenue, Atlantic another. to one place from walk to so that people will want a feeling fosters but does not necessarily infrastructure has the proper example, be might also feeling This in the area. walking those who are for of protection From this Existing Conditions Analysis, it is possible to identify challenges and identify challenges to it is possible Analysis, this Existing Conditions From in a new be considered that must area Weeksville’s to opportunities related the neighborhood. for plan development in the neighborhood’s is found one opportunity area, the physical to Related Weeksville’s of 73.4% that fact The transportation. public to connectivity of the the importance reinforces uses public transportation population working if these numbers understand to is needed research More mobility. of matter a to due elsewhere, jobs has neighborhood the in reside who people that reflect UNCOVERING WEEKSVILLE | 11 interactions. Facts like a high unemployment rate and percentage of people and percentage rate high unemployment a like Facts interactions. outside the neighborhood jobs located in addition to living under poverty, plan. making of a future a in the for must be considered Weeksville’s existing conditions impose challenges and opportunities impose challenges conditions existing Weeksville’s and public transportation to plan. Connectivity development a future for of important characteristics use are mainly residential serve that zones the determine will be useful to the neighborhood. A Soft Analysis Site population and young area’s The redevelopments. of future possibility infrastructure and existing wide sidewalks by reinforced heritage, cultural participation street-level by community of promoting the opportunity gives In residential areas, porches are used for different types of types different for used are porches areas, residential In and exercising. activities such as barbecuing, gardening their use not the actual sidewalk, are this spaces Though talk about the it and may with connected is immediately activities. This sidewalk more of promoting possibilities that the predominant consider if we is especially relevant the encouraged has which R-6, is regulation zoning and street the from back set buildings of development open space. by surrounded A fact that cannot be ignored when proposing a development plan for the plan for a development proposing when ignored that cannot be A fact than higher (16.58%), rate unemployment high Weeksville’s is neighborhood, of people percentage this, the to In addition (10.60%). Kings County the one of 37.9% City; York higher than that of New is also significantly poverty living below 20.3%. to they seen as a challenge, be may While these numbers a more by street enhance to also pose the necessity provide sidewalks Wide design. urban street-scale community and street for and space the opportunity can be vendors informal weekends, On development. Eastern-Parkway. surrounding seen using the sidewalks