By Rachel Holliday Smith, DNAinfo.com
Two new pedestrian plazas are set to replace two sections of road adjacent to Empire Boulevard in 2017, according to a proposal from the Department of Transportation.
The plazas are part of a pedestrian safety initiative by the DOT to improve Empire Boulevard, which the agency says is in the top 10 percent of most dangerous streets in Brooklyn.
At the intersection of Franklin Avenue and further east, at the four-way crossing of Remsen, East New York and Utica avenues, the boulevard saw 490 injuries from 2009 to 2013, including 29 serious injuries or deaths, the DOT said.
To improve conditions, the agency wants add curb extensions along Empire and close two small sections of roadway — Franklin Avenue from Sterling Street to Empire Boulevard and at Remsen Avenue one block south of East New York Avenue — to make way for protected plazas built for pedestrians and planted with trees, according to the proposal.
The idea received a green light from local Brooklyn Community Board 9’s transportation committee last month, but hit a roadblock at CB9’s full board meeting Oct. 27. There, many residents and meeting attendees loudly voiced concerns that the plan, especially changes to Franklin Avenue that they say could make traffic conditions worse.
“Have you guys come around during the rush hour to see the traffic?” asked Dr. Zorina Frederick, a CB9 member and owner of a local driving school, of the DOT representative at the October meeting.
“I don’t think you all really did a constructive study to realize that you’re making it even more difficult,” she said to loud applause. “We have cars and we would like to be able to drive on the street.”
Another resident who lives on Sterling Street a block away from the proposed Franklin Avenue plaza said she’s worried the plan will reduce parking spots on her block.
“It’s our community and I think we should be asked if we want this,” she said as her neighbors cheered.
In response, the CB9 transportation committee co-chair, Tim Thomas, reminded those against the plan to consider those who have been seriously injured at the intersections when considering the proposal.
“This is about safety. There are walkers, bicyclists getting killed at these locations. From now on, please keep it in mind when you talk about your cars,” he said.
The full board tabled further discussion of the plan; the CB9 transportation committee will reconsider the proposal at a meeting set for Nov. 18 at 890 Nostrand Ave.
Sorry, but all the city is doing is driving away businesses. It is a well known fact that in order for businesses to thrive there has to be a proper infrastructure.
How in the world can A1 Merchandise get deliveries in such a scenario. And many other businesses I believe will be forced to close.
Shame on the city!
there are people moving out to other jewish communities like florida monsey five towns.what are ppl doing about jobs ?anyone know where to inquire abouut job placment? tia
This madness is everywhere, they put more restrictions on driving and parking, to promote their agenda to have more reasons to give tickets. When those officials who promote these changes, stop driving 10 car motorcades and private planes and start taking the train, it will give some validation. the hidden agenda is very simple, more government dictating (while they are exempt..) and more tickets to raise revenue in the name of “public safety and the environment” The same agencies who promote these draconian laws, did nothing to expand trains to more areas, keep them clean and affordable to encourage people… Read more »
Those who say there is an anti car agenda – what’s inherently wrong with that? If Brooklyn is popular and populous, you can’t kick people out, but you can limit vehicular traffic to make things safer. Why is a war on cars not safety related? What sinister agenda is being hidden?
A lot of yidden are moving to staten island maybe we can start new community there
Agree with 2 & 3.
I would put money down that this will not save any lives. There’s a war on cars in the city and I’m sure that frustrated drivers are more of a danger. They just take a way lanes for no reason (like eastern parkway) and make bus lanes where they were not needed (like rogers) which just makes more traffic.
This city is impossible to live in with too many restrictions on owning and surviving having a car. The noise levels are high. The air is highly polluted. Buying or renting a home is astronomically out of the average person’s range of affordability. I think it is time we form a new community out of the city where it’s affordable and where people can thrive with a better quality of life all around.
This has nothing to do with “safety”, street by street the city is making life of driving harder and more miserable. This is pure agenda driven changes, and soon enough they will outlaw cars altogether. From bus lanes, bike lanes, pedestrian islands, pedestrians plazas, trees, and constant shrinking parking spots,….get ready, the war on cars is raging and escalating. Don’t be fooled, it has nothing to do with safety, it’s more control and more tickets.
Corners are also poorly lit. Check out Utica Avenue & Union Street & President St…etc.