By COLlive reporter
Emily Weidenhof, Director of Plaza and Public Spaces at the New York City Department of Transportation, visited Crown Heights on Monday to explore creating a pedestrian plaza in front of 770 Eastern Parkway.
Weidenhof met with a group of Crown Heights community leaders at the bustling intersection in front of Lubavitch World Headquarters to see first-hand the proposed site and learn about the neighborhood.
Beginning in 2010, the city has created over 70 pedestrian plazas throughout the five boroughs. But the intersection of Eastern Parkway and Kingston Avenue, a hub for locals and thousands of tourists each year, may be the largest one.
Weidenhof heard from the delegation about the importance of creating the plaza, for both security reasons as well as the enhancement of the neighborhood.
“This corner is really a hub, not just for the Jewish community, but for people who come from all over the world to see and experience Crown Heights,” said Devorah Halberstam, co-founder of the nearby Jewish Children’s Museum and NYPD Community Liaison. “This synagogue is the central location for Chabad all over the world.”
Halberstam also pointed out financial benefits of creating the plaza, citing the huge cost the city incurs each time the NYPD from local and surrounding precincts are brought in to block street traffic and run crowd control, which occurs quite often.
“Millions of dollars would be saved year round in manpower from the NYPD,” she said. “Aside from the fact that it would also be something very beautiful, which the Mayor and New York City would be proud of.”
Rabbi Eli Cohen of Crown Heights Jewish Community Council (CHJCC) explained the need for a large central plaza to accommodate the large crowds of pedestrians that regularly gather there, ranging from community events to group visits, and on Shabbos and Jewish holidays.
Cohen pointed out the numerous Shabbatons and events which occur regularly in the streets surrounding 770 Eastern Parkway, as well as communal gatherings and events, such as weddings, which take place on Eastern Parkway “sometimes 3 or more in one day,” he said.
As reported on COLlive.com, the plan is for the plaza to be installed in front of 770 and 778 buildings on Eastern Parkway. It will be protected by anti-ramming barriers, allowing for greater foot traffic and blocking off access to vehicles to be in close proximity to the buildings.
Weidenhof also spoke to Zaki Tamir, chairman of the Crown Heights elected representatives Vaad Hakohol; Eli Slavin, community liaison for Congress member Yvette Clarke; Mica Soffer, Publisher of COLlive.com and activist Mendel Mintz .
Since the proposed project was announced, Crown Heights residents and visitors expressed excitement and approval for the plans. Local community organizations who have written support letters in support of the plaza include heads of Brooklyn Community Board 9, Beis Din of Crown Heights, Crown Heights Bikur Cholim and schools.
Weidenhof later crossed Kingston Avenue to tour the Jewish Children’s Museum, accompanied by Halberstam, after which the group met to recap the visit.
“We think this site is really compelling,” Weidenhof told the group. “From my visit, I am learning that this is a huge cultural hub. We don’t like to build a plaza and hope people will come, we are always looking for places where there are a lot of people, and we need to give them more and higher quality space, and I see that this is one of those sites.”
The next step is meetings with the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the New York City Parks Department, organizers said, in the process which may take months.
I like the plaza next to the Brooklyn museum , there not residential area but u know it’s also a public place where people can use as they want it … because we share Labor Day parade , I’m doubt that they will not use the space for showing more then it’s shown in the street but in from t of 770 mamash ….
make this zone pedestrian for Tishrej only
770 Eastern Parkway, also known as “770”, is the street address of the central headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement, located on Eastern Parkway in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York, in the United States
It attracts tens of thousands of visitors from around the world every year.
WE CAN USE THIS DESPERATELY!
I hear they are standing behind the project!
They are the ones to say straight out how much we need this in Crown Heights….
They have been making Plaza’s all over but everyone forgot about Crown Heights!
This is so vital for the community
thank you! hope it’ll be approved and will all enjoy it,
may we hear good news.
CH is behind you
What do the people who live on the block have to say about this project?
…Like the NY telephone book was made in smaller print. Do we like it? – No. – But it’s modern. The fact is, that not all things “modern” are better. Modern can be a step the other way too. Are we sure that this plaza will be good for “Kan tziva Hashem es habrocha”? Our community must pay attention to this concept – and think and imagine the scenario – and we should be told publicly of the plans and pictures (put it up again) – as the environs of “770” are sacrosanct and gashmius plans even relating to its… Read more »
There are loopholes that sometimes can come up – because NOW we may see only SOME aspects of this space being created… but ALL the aspects should be considered – both gashmius and ruchnius. We really must be happy with it afterwards and not have any unforseen negative results (for whatever reason chas v shalom. It should be planned ALSO with the ruchnius of the place (future area) taken into consideration – must consult some “sophisticated” mainstream mashpiim also, whoever they are – as to the plan. After all – it’s not only about a goodlooking and hopefully, convenient plaza… Read more »
This needs to be better thought out. I am afraid it will backfire badly creating a public place in front of 770. Also while its being constructed it will cause problems.
So many other things are needed more like cheaper housing
Happy to see the fast progress being made on this project
what actually will be build and where?.
Quite an amazing idea, I hope the traffic people won’t stop it.
Help and make CH safe and secure, Protect our children who run on the streets daily, protect our families and loved ones.
One great step in the right direction.
Wow wow!
You have my full support!!
This is something we needed for years… So glad it’s actually happening!
Samy
3 years? 5 years?
What’s the projected timeline – if approved?
Busses? Chassunos?
Other concerns?
Are they being addressed?
This is great!
Rather use these talents to fix up the appaling condition of770. It’s time for new leadership in the shul. Not a huge plaza outside
I agree. We need to look at the much bigger picture and see what The community needs. We can lose other much more important projects just because this was done and the answer is we did enough for your community. Look in shulchan aruch hilchos yom tov regarding people gathering together. It is forbidden.
Dumb idea. It dilutes the memory of what was 770, will be commercialized, be used for all sorts of nefarious activities. We got bigger problems. And to those bochurim who feel they need to fix things, know that the Rebbe wanted you to sit and learn. Leave the fixing to the adults.
A great business woman, a leader in the community, tznius and classy! I wish more woman would follow your example!
In theory that sounds like a great idea, it’s true that there is a need for crowd control On yomim tovim etc. However we need to bring cars through this area, chuppahs, simchas at the Jcm, simchas at 770, dropping off seniors etc. I think there might be more aggravation than good.
I dont know enough details of the pros and cons of this proposed safety space, however for living in such a neighborhood, i havent seen a cop on the streets in ages, that might contribute to safety, no?
You are such an inspiration. You are a true powerhouse. If someone can move mountains – it’s you.
Mendel Mintz is the top powerhouse in Crown Heights. Very impressed with this young bochur.
Okay. I truly hope smarter and calmer heads prevail. Although this is great for PR and Thmul. But results can be terrible. At least one reason NOT to do it, is if you understand that this plaza will have to be a “public” place which means it will be available for anyone to use, even the pro eruv pepole will be able to demonstrate, never mind the possibility of a grand stand for the Labor Day Parade. Need I go on? I think the Askonim who were at this meeting will do better service if they focus on housing and… Read more »
Hope this plan pulls through!
It’s something our community can really benefit from tremendously!
It’s such a vital thing to have for security as well.
Hatzlacha in making this happen.