I mentioned these links in class a few days ago. Some of them deal with aspects of gentrification in Brooklyn, while one is a discussion of the subway's importance to NYC's development. You might find them interesting and also relevant to our class project:

http://www.observer.com/2008/brooklyn-borough-2

http://www.observer.com/2008/brooklyn-borough-thinning-blue-line-brownst...

http://www.observer.com/2008/brooklyn-borough-16

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/28/nyregion/1904-2004-if-the-subway-had-n...