Prospect Heights Open Streets Prospect Heights Open Streets, Inc., a new nonprofit organization, will operate the program going forward
BROOKLYN — The Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street will return in 2026 and run on a Saturday-only schedule beginning Saturday, May 2, 2026 running through the end of September. Operating hours will be 12pm-10pm. This season schedule represents the first time in four years that the season length and operating hours will not be cut. This comes as a new local partner, Prospect Heights Open Streets, Inc., steps in to take over Open Street operations.
“The Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street is a beloved staple of Prospect Heights, and we’re thrilled to be able to bring the program back for the community to enjoy with zero reduction in operating hours,” said Saskia Haegens, a board member of Prospect Heights Open Streets, Inc. “With a new local partner and supportive Mayor in City Hall, we’re confident that the Open Street will continue to thrive and offer new benefits to the community and local businesses every year,” added Haegens.
Prospect Heights Open Streets, Inc. (PHOS) is a newly formed 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created by a core group of experienced Open Streets organizers. The new organization offers a streamlined structure and newfound versatility which organizers expect will greatly reduce the administrative lift of running the program. PHOS will spearhead new business and community partnerships that bring exciting new activations to the Open Street this year.
Open Streets are popular and greatly beneficial
The Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street is widely popular, and a petition of support for the program that began in 2023 continues to accumulate signatures with close to 6,000 signatories currently.
Over the years, countless studies have found the program yields a variety of benefits:
- A 2026 report from the State Comptroller found non-school Open Streets lead to significant local job growth.
- Bike counts on Vanderbilt Avenue over five years show the Vanderbilt Open Street leads to increased cycling on the corridor.
- A 2024 study from the Department of City Planning showed storefront vacancies are significantly decreased on Open Street corridors.
- A 2022 study done by the Department of Transportation revealed Open Streets corridors enjoy a 20% increase in sales compared to pre-pandemic taxable sales.