Governor Andrew Cuomo, state lawmakers and agencies announced last week that Clarkson Estates in Flatbush will be developed by CAMBA Housing Ventures.
The development will contain 291 affordable apartments, half of which will be set aside for youth aging out of foster care, formerly incarcerated people and homeless young adults.
“As the pandemic creates significant hardships for New Yorkers, it’s more important than ever that we expand access to safe, affordable housing during these difficult times,” Cuomo said in a statement.
The nonprofit organization CAMBA will offer on-site supportive services, including childcare services, health screenings, small business incubation and workforce training, violence prevention, and mediation and youth education.
The facility will also feature a 30,000-square-foot community hub that will be open to the public. It will host a technology training center, recording and rehearsal studio and performing space, full-sized basketball court, food pantry and cafe, and design studio and exhibition space.
The hub will be named for Dr. Roy A. Hastick, a Brooklyn business leader who passed away in April due to COVID-19. Hastick founded the Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), and convened more than 600 small business seminars.
In a statement, Hastick’s family said it’s only fitting that the intergenerational community hub would bear his name.
“Dr. Roy A. Hastick, Sr. was a man of great wisdom with a spirit of giving and a calling to help others,” they said. “Everything he created and implemented was always for the advancement of his community.
“It is the hope of our family that every individual who benefits from this project will adopt the same attributes he espoused,” they added, “and give back to our community which will help to make it better.”
According to state officials, Clarkson Estates will be constructed on land that is currently owned by Health Science Center at Brooklyn Foundation. The development will also have an underground parking garage with 80 spaces for residents and users of the community hub.
Amenities at the building include laundry rooms, fitness room, training kitchen, library, computer room, bike storage and community room. There will be a CSA drop-off point for fresh fruits and vegetables.
As part of the Vital Brooklyn initiative, residents and visitors alike will be provided free Wi-Fi.
“This project is unique because we will bring not only desperately needed affordable housing to our community, but a state-of-the-art community facility space,” Assemblywoman Diana Richardson said. “Our partnership with Governor Cuomo will create a landmark project that will have a lasting impact on our community for decades to come.”
Clarkson Estates will also have outdoor spaces for gardening, children’s play area and outdoor fitness programming. The outdoor spaces include a landscaped courtyard, wooded walk, turf field and communal seating.
On top of the development will be a rooftop terrace and community garden for communal use. Trees will also be planted along the block.
State Senator Zellnor Myrie noted that the impact of COVID-19 on his district has exacerbated issues like housing, health care, social services and access to commerce and recreation.
“Clarkson Estates will help our most vulnerable citizens recover from this pandemic and create generational change for Central Brooklyn,” he said.