Following the closure of Brookdale Mall, Brooklyn Center experienced two decades of decline to its commercial core. The Brookdale Mall closed in 1990, and surrounding businesses followed suit. With a strong ownership stake, the city commissioned a plan to create a vision for a new downtown.

Bolton & Menk completed a series of linked initiatives to develop a master plan and implementation plan for the district. The team oversaw all the infrastructure, zoning revisions, development reviews, and policy changes necessary to transform the district into a walkable and transit-oriented mixed-use community delivering broad community benefits. The planning effort included integration of transit improvements for both the C Line and D Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), both of which have a terminus point in the city’s commercial core near the redevelopment area.

The project was grounded in an ambitious and extensive engagement process focused on listening to and empowering a highly diverse community. Engagement included online and in-person events, work with students and youth, partner-based initiatives targeting diverse immigrant communities, arts-based activities, and formation of equitable community benefit strategies. Since completion of the plan, the city has broken ground on 750 new units, an event center, entrepreneurial marketplace, and a new regional park.