To: Community Board 12, Brooklyn and New York City Department of Transportation, Commissioner Joseph Palmieri

Let Us Keep All of the Kensington Plaza Benches!

We, the diverse peoples of Kensington, want the benches at Kensington Plaza to stay. Until recently, our community, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in America, did not have a place where we could gather. This past spring we welcomed its first small and simple place to meet in the heart of the commercial district--Kensington Plaza. With the mere addition of four benches and some trees, an ordinary sidewalk got changed into a friendly place. Now there's a place where the elderly can rest and families can chat.

We have taken responsibility and pride in our Plaza. The Kensington Plaza stewards work with local businesses to keep it clean and we have spent our time and money to beautify this location. In the spring, we hope to be greeted by butterflies at the planters and daffodils in the tree pits.

Without the benches it won't be a plaza--there will only be a sidewalk. We would be devastated if our benches were taken away simply because of the wishes of a very few people. Please let us keep our Plaza!

Why is this important?

On Thursday, December 6th, 2012, Community Board 12 held a public transportation committee meeting to address a petition asking the the benches be removed from Kensington Plaza. The committee, decided not to take immediate action, and that they would revisit the matter in April of 2013. However, not even two weeks later, at the CB 12 meeting on December, 18th, CB 12 voted to recommend the immediate removal of two of the benches. This decision by CB 12, is unfair and not in the interest of the broader Kensington Community.