Acknowledgements

The Sunset Park 197-a Plan, sponsored by Community Board 7, has been developed with the participation of residents and businesses in Sunset Park and a wide number of representative organizations and institutions, including: Neighbors Helping Neighbors; the United Puerto Rican Organization of Sunset Park (UPROSE); Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation (SWBIDC); Young Dancers in Repertory; the Brooklyn Chinese American Association; the Center for Family Life; Lutheran Medical Center; the Chinese American Planning Council; Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow; and the Gowanus Expressway Community Coalition.

The planning process was guided by Community Board 7’s 197-a Committee, under the leadership of Bea DeSapio, Joe Longobardi and John Burns, who served consecutively as Chair. We are grateful to the following elected officials for their support in this endeavor: Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, State Senator Martin Conner, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, former Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden, former Governor George Pataki, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez, and former Councilman Angel Rodriguez. We would also like to acknowledge Governor Elliot Spitzer, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, State Senator Diane Savino, State Senator Eric Adams, former State Senator Carl Andrews, State Assemblyman Jim Brennan and Councilman Bill DeBlasio.

Community Board 7 has had close contact with New York City’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) throughout this project, especially with regard to the proposed Bush Terminal Piers Waterfront Park, but also with regard to economic revitalization efforts and transportation improvements. The Department of City Planning’s Brooklyn Office and Office of Plan Coordination provided invaluable technical assistance and resources, particularly in the development of the final draft. The Sunset Park 197-a Plan builds upon the groundwork and leadership of Bea DeSapio, former Chair of Community Board 7 and Gene Moore, former District Manager, who initiated the planning process, and the efforts and support of Robert Lane, from the Regional Plan Association and Richard Bearak, from the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office. Technical assistance was also provided by the Municipal Art Society Planning Center and the Pratt Institute Center for Community and Environmental Development (PICCED).1 Jocelyne Chait, a community planning consultant, coordinated the planning process in its later stages and produced the final draft. Planning, research, and editorial assistance were provided by Katie Taylor from PICCED, Darya Cowan, and Elena Patarini. Mapping Assistance was provided by PICCED, the Municipal Art Society Planning Center and Elena Patarini.

We would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous contributions to the Sunset Park planning process:
Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez Consolidated Edison
Councilman Angel Rodriguez KeySpan Energy
Senator Martin Connor The Sunset Park Business Improvement District
NYC EDC/SBS Harborside Management
The American Planning Association Health Plus
Community Capital Bank The Pepsi-Cola Company
Lutheran Medical Center The Coca-Cola Company
The Independence Community Foundation