BROOKLYN, NY, December 7, 2016: Today, the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council (PHNDC) and the Office of Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams announced that Vanderbilt Avenue, the central boulevard of Brooklyn’s Prospect Heights neighborhood, will be enhanced with historic street lighting. Fifty historic M type fixtures will replace all existing lamps, traffic and pedestrian signals from Atlantic Avenue to Plaza Street.

“We’re excited to partner with the Borough President on this latest initiative to improve the experience on Vanderbilt Avenue for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and businesses,” said Gib Veconi, chair of the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council. “The historic reproduction fixtures to be installed closely replicate lampposts that appear in photographs of Vanderbilt Avenue from a century ago. They will provide strong visual continuity along a street that includes a large number of properties in New York City Landmark and National Register Historic districts, alongside 20th century commercial and residential buildings, as well as contemporary architecture at Pacific Park.”

“With these lights, Vanderbilt Avenue is continuing its transformation into one of Brooklyn’s prominent retail destinations,” said Ellen Fishman, president of the Vanderbilt Avenue Merchants District. “These new lights bring a major enhancement of the street’s visual appeal. They will benefit residents, visitors and especially the businesses on the avenue. We are extraordinarily grateful to the Borough President for his interest and efforts, which are making this fantastic upgrade possible.”

Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams said, “Vanderbilt Avenue is one of our borough’s most exciting commercial strips, and the new historic street lighting that our capital budget is funding will add true character and charm that translates into economic benefit. I am pleased to work with the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council and the Vanderbilt Avenue Merchants District on this quality-of-life investment that will further illuminate the appeal of this corridor’s dining, nightlife, and shopping destinations.”