Downtown Intersection Critically Flawed
We just got a chance to read the Project for Public Spaces paper on “re-Imagining Brooklyn’s Inner Core” and thought that they make an excellent point that tends to get lost in all the arguing about Atlantic Yards: The Forest City Ratner proposal for the Atlantic Yards has many weaknesses. But the truth is that…
We just got a chance to read the Project for Public Spaces paper on “re-Imagining Brooklyn’s Inner Core” and thought that they make an excellent point that tends to get lost in all the arguing about Atlantic Yards:
The Forest City Ratner proposal for the Atlantic Yards has many weaknesses. But the truth is that no development–even one much stronger than what’s on the table now–can truly succeed on that site unless we also address the area around the intersection of Atlantic, Flatbush, and Fourth Avenue. This intersection should be an iconic space–a source of pride for Brooklyn as a whole…Right now it is dominated by vehicles — it’s just a place to drive through. The pedestrian experience is a nightmare, and there is no plan to deal with this major obstacle. Any development on any portion of this intersection will be a failure if surface transportation issues are not dealt with.
Re-Imagining Brooklyn’s Inner Core [PPS.org]
An overpass or underpass(extra subway entrance)would prevent many people from being hit by cars.
A tunnel (similar to Park Ave) under Atlantic Avenue from 4th Ave to the BQE would reduce traffic.
adding 10,000 more people directly on top of the worst intersection in the neighborhood certainly won’t help. I don’t know if the prospect heights resident who posted above has ever tried to cross the street from Target to the bus stop across flatbush with two small children and shopping bags in tow, but take it from me, it sucks.
I have to agree with the other poster that a Nets arena alone is not enough compensation for the upheaval that will ensue.
While the intersection currently sucks, this is not a justification to stop development (Atlantic Yards or anything else) – the simple solution is to rework the intersection – change the lights, adjust the cross walk, block certain (left)turns; and maybe change certain sidewalks.
As for the idea that Atlantic Yards will lead to permenat gridlock – there is no evidence for this – hundreds of thousands of persons live and work in Downtown Brooklyn and surrounds, adding 10,000 more will have no visable effect on the general traffic in the area – maybe on game nights with everyone coming and going at once it will cause heavy traffic for awhile but this is far from the catastrophe everyone is bemoaning. And why would the construction be a major problem??? Atlantic Mall/Center were both built in even more sensitive spots and it really didnt cause the end of civilization.
Yes, the pedestrian crossing situtation should be addressed in that area whether or not Arena, etc is built. (Gridlock makes a bit safer to cross- if fast moving traffic you’d surely be run over. Take a look at Queens Blvd.)
“Brooklynites wouldn’t wish this project in anyone’s backyard.”
Sure, they would. I’m a Prospect Heights residents and I welcome the Atlantic Yards project in my backyard. I think that some of the comments about crossing Flatbush are a bit hysterical. I’ve been crossing that intersection for 15 years and, while I admit that it’s crowded, to cross it is not “nuts”. As long as you look both ways and cross carefully, you’ll be just fine. A little navigation goes a long way…
Flatbush will become permanent gridlock and forget about driving the Brooklyn or Manhattan bridges if this happens. In my mind this is the worst casualty, there are only 2 already crowded arteries into manhattan and i can’t imagine another bridge entering the picture. Maybe that’s when Bloomberg will introduce the tolls he’s always wanted to collect on these bridges, and he will have the perfect justification. All is ok though as long as Ratner can make his billion.
Lesser Grand Army Plaza?
It is very, very true. The Environmental Impact Study for this project must look into the traffic consequences this project will have. With the grid locks we already have, it can only get worse once they start construction. A LOT of excess traffic will spill over into residential streets in Fort Green, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Boerum Hill and Parts of Park Slope. The scary part is that the construction is planned to last for 11 years (not including likely delays). During this time your streets will be flooded with heavy traffic, noise and dust. That is a price that I cannot understand anyone wants to pay when you don’t get any green areas, parks, pleasant streetscapes in exchange. The widely published park on top of the stadium will be close to the public!! This project doesn’t benefit the community!
Although I support Atlantic Yards plan – critisim of this intersection and calls for change are VERY appropriate. Even of Atlantic Yards never gets built, this intersection is terrible and neads a major redesign. Driving north on 4th Ave – making a left on Flatbush is a nightmare and quickly backs up into gridlock on Atlantic. Crossing Flatbush on foot is nuts b/c cars are coming from all directions. Major re-design should be made mandatory as part of Atlantic Yards development AND for now the 4th Ave light at Atlantic and Flatbush should be syncronized.