Neighbors Launch Petition Calling For Environmental Study Of 72 Caton Place, Where Nine-Story Development Could Be Built

A group of neighbors concerned about the impact that a proposed nine-story residential and retail project at 72 Caton Place, between Coney Island and E. 8th Street, could have on the community are making sure their voices are heard.

The group, named The Friends of Caton Place, just launched a petition calling for an independent environmental impact study to be done on the property where there could be a $126 million development from the Calvary Cathedral of Praise, Suzuki Capital and the Gothic Development Group. As reported in February, the project is slated to include a 100,000-square-foot building in the church’s parking lot.

“We are a small neighborhood surrounded by 4 major traffic arteries critical to the area, and we are at risk to head into a level of density unparalleled in our part of Brooklyn,” the petition states. “We are trying to preserve a singular cultural institution (Kensington Stables) and welcome a vitally important new school with safe streets and traffic areas. We have yet to tackle the built-in challenges: an inadequate sewage system, narrow streets, and a large influx of new residents in 22 Caton and The Kestrel. This is a critical moment where we have an opportunity to preserve a neighborhood.”

There are a litany of problems that could arise with such a development, neighbors said, particularly when it comes to Kensington Stables and E. 8th Street, neighbors said.

The stables “could be disastrously impacted by increased traffic on Caton Place — particularly on the block between Coney Island Avenue and East 8th Street,” the petition states. “Riders will have no safe area to mount the horses, no place for pony rides and dangerously difficult access to the bridal paths.”

Currently, E. 8th Street is already “virtually impassable” to two-way traffic, neighbors write in the petition, and residents worry that problem would be exponentially exacerbated with such a development.

Plus, neighbors note that the full impact of the incoming PS 437, 22 Caton Place and the Kestrel “have not yet even been factored into the local equation.”

“They represent massive changes to this neighborhood,” the petition states. “Cars are already double-parked on busy Coney Island Avenue weekday mornings and afternoons outside the International Baptist Church, and on Coney Island Avenue for Brooklyn College Academy High School.”

On weekends, the traffic increases, with cars being parked on sidewalks on Caton Place and families circling the block to find parking for games at the Parade Ground.

The petition has quickly gained traction, with 131 neighbors signing it so far.

Neighbors expanded on their support for the petition, including Megan Murphy, who wrote,  “We don’t need more traffic or overpriced condos!”

And Adam Schwartz said, “Horses over condos please!”

For more information and to see the petition, you can go here.