Dear Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayors,
We write again on behalf of the Greenwood Heights Association and our deeply concerned community members. We urgently request your immediate intervention to address a situation that has become profoundly unfair and untenable.
Despite widespread community opposition, thousands of petition signatures, and serious concerns regarding safety, equity, and transparency, we learned that the city continues to aggressively push forward with the 225 25th Street shelter. This shelter, led by notorious developer David Levitan—who has an alarming track record of violations and corruption—risks becoming a devastating reality imposed upon our neighborhood without any accountability.
Mr. Adams, when we handed you our letter at a Clinton Hill event organized by Renee Collymore on April 6th, you personally acknowledged our concerns and the unfair burden we face. While we appreciated your recognition, we now urgently need decisive action.
The Greenwood Heights community already carries an unjust burden, hosting nine shelters within a seven-block radius of this site, with four located within just three blocks of the proposed shelter. The city itself has acknowledged this saturation as one of the most shelter-dense communities in Brooklyn. Our community has 10-15% of its overall population housed in shelters, which is significantly higher than the citywide average of 1.37%. As you are aware, many nearby neighborhoods host no shelters at all.
Please view our short community video illustrating the severity of our situation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuEr2UvMbOg
We are not refusing responsibility. We demand equitable distribution across New York City. A contaminated warehouse-style shelter in an already overwhelmed neighborhood literally next door to an education center and a pre-K center, in a known hot-spot for drug activity, less than a block away from the only subway station that has just one entrance and exit, is unjust and irresponsible. Additionally, the city and the proposed non-profit have done zero community engagement for this site, despite promises over the last year to do so.
Congressman Dan Goldman has also met with us, listened to our concerns, and recognized the gravity of this situation, acknowledging that it transcends mere zoning—it is fundamentally about safety, equity, and good governance.
We respectfully and urgently request your leadership: Please stop this shelter project immediately and thoroughly investigate the questionable processes and contracts behind it.
Mayor Adams, your action now will clearly demonstrate your administration’s commitment to equity, justice, and transparency for all New Yorkers. It is election season, and thousands of residents, families, workers, and small businesses of Greenwood Heights depend on your fairness and integrity.
Please act swiftly—our community is counting on you.
Respectfully,Greenwood Heights Association
Representing Residents and Small Business Owners
North Sunset Park & South Slope, Brooklyn, 11232
https://thegwha.org | greenwoodheightsassoc@gmail.com