4th Avenue Really Was Brooklyn's Park Avenue
In an article in its February newsletter bemoaning the state of 4th Avenue and its complete and utter failure to feel like a part of Park Slope, the Park Slope Civic Council included this photo of what 4th Avenue looked like a century ago. Completely depressing or what? Bob Levine, from whose collection this photo…
In an article in its February newsletter bemoaning the state of 4th Avenue and its complete and utter failure to feel like a part of Park Slope, the Park Slope Civic Council included this photo of what 4th Avenue looked like a century ago. Completely depressing or what? Bob Levine, from whose collection this photo comes, provides a lengthy history lesson on the thoroughfare in advance of the Council’s summit meeting tonight on the topic. More info here.
A Thoroughfare of Uncertain Direction [PSCC]
I remember when 4th Avenue was destroyed by NYC. This was back in the early 1960s, when the place was full of Puerto Ricans and lots of others with no political power. 4th Avenue was widened to accommodate an extra lane of traffic in each direction. Previously most blocks had wide areas of grass in which trees were set. These were ALL cut down, with one exception—in front of a police precinct in, I believe, the 20s or 30s.
Without the grass strips and the thousands of trees, it became the sordid street you see today.
Broker, according to this article it will include Sunset Park and Bay Ridge:
http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2010/02/11/brooklyn/courier-yn_brooklyn_front_page-psfourth.txt
The Ditmiss link is enlightening.^^^
spot looks like an area roughly between 40th and 50th street.
several churches in a 7-8 block stretch.
that being said… park avenue was an open railroad cut for decades. didn’t become the park avenue until the railroad was covered over.
strip away a lane on each side and put in planters and the area will trasform nicely.
Comparing a street to Broadway instead of Park Avenue is the superior compliment.
Thought I posted this link earlier – guess not.
http://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2008/08/14/sunset-parks-fourth-avenue-parkway-garage/
Looks like an old Brooklyn Eagle postcard. C. 1910?
The dangerous traffic on 4th Ave is a result of the planning of 4th Ave. It need not be that way.
I’ve seen terribly planned, dangerous, busy streets transformed into managable, relatively safe streets.
The Grand Concourse, near Yankee Stadium, for instance, was, a couple years ago, completely transformed and made safe. It took a lot of work, but the difference is enormous. The danger of being killed by a car has been greatly decreased, and the area made more pleasant.
I don’t know how the planners did it, but if they could do it for the Grand Concourse, they can do it for 4th Ave.
Italiana71, it is about 4th Avenue in Park Slope. The discussion is sponsored by the Park Slope Civic Counsel about how to beautify it.