DOWNTOWN/PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Local Brooklyn officials are coming out in strong support of a proposal to relocate several cramped Downtown Brooklyn schools into a new, 26-story residential building at 491 Dean St. in Pacific Park, near Barclays Center.
These include M.S. 915, a middle school currently co-located with two high schools in the George Westinghouse campus, at 105 Johnson St. and fronting on Tillary Street.
Another is the Design Works High School, which is presently co-located with a growing elementary school at 424 Albee Square West.
Another school listed by DOE for possible relocation is P369K, a small school for students with special needs, also currently located at the Westinghouse site.
Officials who represent families in District 13 say these schools, which serve diverse populations including kids with IEPs, lack facilities like gym space and cafeterias.
“One of the top concerns that I hear from public school families in our community is the lack of middle school options,” Councilmember Lincoln Restler told the Brooklyn Eagle. “I’m thrilled that the proposed relocation of M.S. 915 and Design Works High School to the brand new Pacific Park campus will provide more excellent public school seats for our families.”
Restler added that the plan will also finally create space for a new elementary school to open at Albee Square West, “fulfilling a commitment from the Downtown Brooklyn rezoning from nearly twenty years ago.”
If the co-locations are approved, kids at the new site would have access to a cafeteria, “gymatorium” and full gymnasium, outdoor play yard, rooftop play yard, science room and library.
Letter: P.E. in a classroom at Westinghouse
In a letter to First Deputy Schools Chancellor Daniel Weisberg, the eight elected officials — including Restler and Councilmembers Crystal Hudson, Chi Ossé, and Shahana Hanif; Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez; state Senators Andrew Gounardes and Jabari Brisport; and Assemblymember Jo Anne…
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