Health, Environment and Social Services was the last of the six Community Board 2 Committees to brainstorm for the 2011 Statement of District Needs. Ms. Galin Brooks, the Graduate Planning Fellow working with Community Board 2, solicited feedback from the committee regarding the programs and services that are necessary to improve the health of our community.

Cutbacks in hospital services, head start programs (three daycare centers closed in the district) and senior citizen programs are the main concerns. The committee believes that many programs in our local hospitals are geared towards addressing the needs of the entire borough, so any cutback would disproportionately affect Community District 2. The large population of seniors in the area would also be affected by any cutback in senior care.

A representative of the Brooklyn Hospital explained that the New York City Department of Health requires all hospitals to develop a Community Service Plan. Some of the ailments that our community ranks poorly in are diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and HIV/AIDS. The Brooklyn Hospital has tailored its Community Service Plan to address these sicknesses.

New On-Premises Liquor License

• Fulton Grand Bar at 1011 Fulton Street -- a small space (16 bar stools, 16 table seats inside and a potential 16 seats for a sidewalk café). Opening date – May 2010.
• Buka New York -- a Nigerian themed restaurant at 946 Fulton Street (between St. James and Grand). A 57-seat establishment that will promote the Nigerian culture through live music, art exhibits, poetry and book reading. Opening date – early April 2010.
• The owners of Bistro Marrakech, which will be a Moroccan themed restaurant replacing Kif at 219 DeKalb Avenue, were a no show.

Renewal On-Premises Liquor License

• Tamboril – 527 Myrtle Avenue

Renewal Eating Place Beer

• Andy’s Clinton Hill – 245 Dekalb Avenue