The purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of the Flatbush-Midwood area of Brooklyn, or Brooklyn Community District 14. The presented analysis considers the area in terms of the factors of community racial/ethnic composition, neighborhood and housing conditions, areas strengths and weaknesses, general community resources, and the major social, economic and political problems and needs of the community. The analysis includes a synthesis of the various community conditions in terms of the impact of these on the area's general service needs.
The Flatbush-Midwood area, Brooklyn Community district 14, is bounded on the north by Parkside Avenue and, on the south, by Avenue P and Kings Highway. It runs from McDonald Avenue on its westernmost part, eastward to East 32nd Street. The total land area is 2.9 square miles. At the 1990 Census, 159,825 people were living in the community; this represented an 11.1 percent increase since 1970.
The area is located in the central-most part of Brooklyn and has been described as "gracious" with comfortable Victorian style homes and apartments (most of them built in an era when spaciousness was the architectural norm) sitting along tree-lined streets. Located in the district is Prospect Park, a large facility, which houses the Brooklyn Museum, the zoo, the Ingersoll library, and a variety of botanical displays including a rose garden and a Japanese garden.
There is also a large lake and parade grounds in the park. Unfortunately, many park areas have been neglected over the years and are badly in need of restoration and replanting. However, the Community Board is currently engaged in a number of renovations designed to restore the park to its original beauty.
In addition to the foregoing, the Flatbush-Midwood area has a large commercial center and contains several educational facilities considered to be the best in the City of New York.
The area is considered to be relative...