Prospect Heights Raises $13K To Bring Back Popular 'Open Street'

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — As spring-like weather gives New Yorkers a glimpse to the warm months ahead, the borough's popular outdoor dining destinations of 2020 are getting ready to return.

That includes Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect Heights, which closed to traffic for 15 warm-weather weekends from August to November.

The Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council, which runs the Open Street, has started a fundraiser as it prepares to bring back a bigger-and better-version of the program in 2021.

"We are planning improvements that will make the program more safer, more fun and more sustainable," the organization wrote. "...So, while last year's program was a shoestring affair run by a committed group of volunteers, this year, the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council needs to raise funds to help launch the spring 2021 season of Open Streets: Restaurants on Vanderbilt Avenue. Your generous support can help make this another memorable year for the Prospect Heights community!"

The fundraiser had already brought in more than $13,000 of its $25,000 goal as of Monday, just over a week since it was launched.

The money will go to purchasing barriers, signage and other supplies for the Open Street and help launch an events program on the avenue. The organization expects to hire someone to supervise the events and run a communications campaign to spread the word to the neighborhood, according to PHNDC.

PHNDC is one of at least two Brooklyn organizations who are raising their own funds to run Open Streets this year. The city's Open Streets program, and later its Open Streets: Restaurants program, was put in place to help New Yorkers social distance and enjoy outdoor dining during the coronavirus crisis.

The outdoor dining version became a lifeline for restaurants struggling through the financial woes of the pandemic. According to PHNDC, the Open Street on Vanderbilt helped 22 businesses stay open and brought back an estimated 67 jobs to workers who had lost income.

The organization is also planning to bring back its Open Street on Underhill Avenue. A Google Doc has been set up to help find volunteers.