Clarkson Estates Development to Bring Affordable Housing, Parking, Basketball to PLG

Governor Cuomo Tuesday announced a plan to construct almost 300 affordable housing units along with an array of social services and amenities on Clarkson Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens.

The new complex, Clarkson Estates, is being developed by CAMBA Housing Ventures as part of Vital Brooklyn, a state initiative launched in 2017 to bring development and address disparities in Central Brooklyn. A Tuesday press release from Governor Cuomo’s office announcing the latest project identified the location as “Site L” on Clarkson Avenue, a lot currently owned by Health Science Center at Brooklyn Foundation.

A rendering included with the announcement shows the lot to be 329-369 Clarkson Avenue, currently occupied by a one-story brick garage. The lot is between Nostrand and New York avenues and adjacent to the Rolph Henry Playground. Records show that the Health Science Center at Brooklyn Foundation purchased the property in 2005 for $4.5 million.

Plans call for the development to provide affordable and supportive housing. Of the 291 units planned, 146 will be set aside for formerly homeless young adults, youth aging of out of foster care and formerly incarcerated individuals. Some of the housing amenities to be included are a training kitchen, library, computer room and community rooms. The building will have a green roof and solar panels. Outdoor space will include gardens, a turf field and a play area. Architects CetraRuddy and landscape and planning firm Starr Whitehouse are designing the project.

Support services for residents and community members will be provided in an additional 30,000 square foot facility that will be named in honor of Dr. Roy A. Hastick, who died of Covid-19 in April.

The complex is slated to include childcare, workforce training, a small business incubator, violence prevention and mediation center, youth development and education facility, technology training center (including financial literacy classes and adult education), a recording studio, performance space, a design studio, exhibition space, full-size basketball court that will be open to the public, food pantry and a cafe.

The project is the second proposal to be unveiled as part of the Vital Brooklyn initiative this month. Utica Crescent, a 322-unit building to be constructed in East Flatbush, was announced on July 16. That complex will be constructed on a lot currently occupied by a parking lot at Utica Avenue and Rutland Street, adjacent to the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center.

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