Brooklyn community organizations are urging voters to reject Proposal 3, a charter amendment supported by Mayor Mamdani, ahead of the November 3 ballot. The measure seeks to streamline the process for street redesign projects by limiting the grounds on which such efforts can be delayed or stopped. A coalition of 11 groups, led by Brooklyn for All of Us and Our Communities Count, plans to hold a rally on Saturday at 10 a.m. outside the Barclays Center to raise opposition.

Proponents, including the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT), argue that the proposal is necessary to advance street safety initiatives more efficiently. Currently, technical errors in project proposals can halt progress, and some projects must receive community board and local official approval before construction begins. Proposal 3 would eliminate the use of technicalities to block projects and allow the DOT to commence certain street redesigns prior to formal presentations to local entities.

Opponents contend that this approach bypasses meaningful community input and fails to consider the diverse needs of neighborhoods. They argue that decisions affecting families, small businesses, seniors, and people with disabilities are being made without sufficient public participation. The groups specifically call for stopping proposed bike boulevards on Bergen and Dean Streets, as well as Lafayette and DeKalb Avenues. Additionally, they oppose the new “Fast Bus Lanes” initiative across Brooklyn, a collaborative project between the DOT and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) that includes the removal of some bus stops.

While the administration maintains that the charter changes will support improvements in street safety, community groups emphasize the importance of preserving local input and ensuring projects address the concerns of residents and stakeholders. The debate underscores ongoing tensions over how urban transportation and public space initiatives are designed and implemented in Brooklyn.