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There's a lot of complaining about the changes to Vanderbilt Ave: new bike paths, new bollards, rational lane striping, nicely planted medians, safer pedestrian crossing. Why hasn't Community Board 8 heard a single positive review. Set the record straight. Email Michelle George at info@brooklyncb8.org, and tell her you actually like the changes.
Brooklynian » Forum » Prospect Heights »
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Really? I love the changes but weren't they done, like, two years ago? I'm pretty sure I was gushing at the time. Is there a particular reason that CB8 needs to hear from us now?
"Now if every newspaper editor had to deal with a reader like Emily, boy, would they think twice, or three times." --greg -
I think traffic is a lot calmer on Vanderbilt now that cars aren't competing with each other to make the next light, and running over pedestrians and cylcists in the process.
I also love the landscaped medians. They create a much more pedestrian friendly feel, more like a place you want to hang out with your friends, which has got to be good for business. -
Emily-
Word has it that they are trying to expand the successes on Vanderbilt to additional streets.For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
I think it is great!
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Emily,
Yes, CB8 needs to hear from us now because the DOT has proposed a very nice plan for Washington Ave, from Eastern Pkwy. to Atlantic Ave. It'll be up on their website next week. -
one-ply said:
Emily,
Yes, CB8 needs to hear from us now because the DOT has proposed a very nice plan for Washington Ave, from Eastern Pkwy. to Atlantic Ave. It'll be up on their website next week.That would be awesome. Count me in and keep us apprised!
Now if we could only get the Classon freeway slowed down...
...not that there's anything wrong with that. -
After I see the proposal i'll be sure to let know if I like it.
Please report back posting of the proposal if we happen to miss it
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BTW perhaps we can change the Subject Header of the main post to " Washington Avenue to get Vanderbilt style Medians" ....or something like that.
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The things in the middle of Vanderbilt actually look nice. Washington is too skinny for something like that but some trees on the sidewalk would look nice. As for Classon, it is a major artery to the BQE. Classon and Bedford will remain very busy regardless. Nostrand is in serious need of repair.
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Take away a lane in each direction and there will be plenty of room for a median on Washington. Should be able to fit in bike lanes, too.
All we need now is outdoor eating at the location of the scrap heap - er, auto repair place on the Washington/Park/Prospect triangle.
...not that there's anything wrong with that. -
The traffic is already horrible enough as it is on Washington. Any less lanes or any skinnier would be an epic disaster!
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Whyfi-
I have heard that plans for an apt building have been filed for the triangle. I imagine the economy is the hold upFor better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
nofay said:
The traffic is already horrible enough as it is on Washington. Any less lanes or any skinnier would be an epic disaster!Yeah, I think that that's kinda the point. If drivers know that Washington is more of a neighborhood street and less of a freeway, some of them will take alternate routes. If those routes become less viable, for whatever reason, some of those drivers will find alternate transportation, something sorely needed with the rising density of NYC.
Also, do you think that the businesses on Washington want the street to be more car friendly or more pedestrian friendly? Cars passing through from one neighborhood to another neighborhood don't do them much good, so I'm going to put my money on 'pedestrian friendly,' because, let's face it - with the number of vacant or failing storefronts on Washington, the current situation isn't working very well. Washington has a lot of potential; calming it and gussying it up will go a long ways towards making it a viable alternative for businesses that can help keep $ in the neighborhood.
...not that there's anything wrong with that. -
whynot_31 said:
Whyfi-
I have heard that plans for an apt building have been filed for the triangle. I imagine the economy is the hold upReally? That'd suck. I'd much rather have tables, umbrellas and tasty food and drink. Screw apartments and more transplants!
...not that there's anything wrong with that. -
Whyfi-
The owners of such sites usually renovate based on what they think will make them the most $.But Sometimes they guess wrong and lose money.
The mechanic guy is a mere tenant, but he told me he hoped the LL continued to not be able to get his act together when I talked with him several months ago
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Washington is a major crosstown route to get to Empire and it is very necessary. The sidewalks are fine so I dont see any pedestrian problem. Also, there are often open parking spots and I have many times stopped at Yaad Style nor Islands for something to eat on my way. I am sure others do as well, matter of fact I know so.
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...that being said, I'd rather see an apartment building than the mechanic shop... I'm sure he's a nice guy, but it's damn ugly.
...not that there's anything wrong with that. -
BTW, Any moment someone may tell us the Triangle is in CH.
Gotta love the purists!
Roads should be purely for cars!
The PH neighborhood ends on the west side of Washington!
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Well it does.
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nofay said:
Washington is a major crosstown route to get to Empire and it is very necessary.Says who? Why does Washington Avenue care about Empire? Where are these people coming from Empire going to? Why do they need to go in their cars?
nofay said:The sidewalks are fine so I dont see any pedestrian problem. Also, there are often open parking spots and I have many times stopped at Yaad Style nor Islands for something to eat on my way. I am sure others do as well, matter of fact I know so.
Yeah, you say it, so it must be true. Question, though - if all of these drivers are stopping on their way through, why are so many Washington businesses struggling to keep their doors open? Not that it matters, because taking away lanes isn't going to affect the number of parking spots, so I'm sure that you'll still be able to stop and spend those dollars.
...not that there's anything wrong with that. -
Sounds like you dont care about the rest of Brooklyn just your little street and there have not been nor are there that many great businesses worth stopping for on Washington. Thats why I mentioned Islands oh and Rawstar too but thats about it. Perhaps if people open stopworthy businesses then more people will stop. You cant shut down a whole borough just to have your little quaint idyllic urban paradise.
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WhyFi, Flatbush residents have no easy way via public transportation to get to Ft. Greene or to the northern side of Brooklyn. The Empire-Washington Ave route is a historic one for people needing to get over there. The only subway option is the 3 to Atlantic and then walk back up into Ft Greene. For people living far east of Nostrand that becomes a difficult hike.
On the bus, a trip from Kings County Hospital to Brooklyn Hospital is an hour+ ride. By car you can do it in 15-20 minutes. Remember east of Nostrand and south of EP there is almost zero subway service, and those folks still need to get downtown for work, school, to get to any public offices (courts, DMV, etc).
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nofay said:
Sounds like you dont care about the rest of Brooklyn just your little street and there have not been nor are there that many great businesses worth stopping for on Washington. Thats why I mentioned Islands oh and Rawstar too but thats about it. Perhaps if people open stopworthy businesses then more people will stop. You cant shut down a whole borough just to have your little quaint idyllic urban paradise.
WhyFi said:I actually like good discussion, but you haven't yet been able to demonstrate that any of your arguments are rational. Try supporting your thoughts instead of just flinging baseless accusations. I don't think that you have it in you, but I'd be happy to be proven wrong.
...not that there's anything wrong with that. -
homeowner said:
WhyFi, Flatbush residents have no easy way via public transportation to get to Ft. Greene or to the northern side of Brooklyn. The Empire-Washington Ave route is a historic one for people needing to get over there. The only subway option is the 3 to Atlantic and then walk back up into Ft Greene. For people living far east of Nostrand that becomes a difficult hike.On the bus, a trip from Kings County Hospital to Brooklyn Hospital is an hour+ ride. By car you can do it in 15-20 minutes. Remember east of Nostrand and south of EP there is almost zero subway service, and those folks still need to get downtown for work, school, to get to any public offices (courts, DMV, etc).
A traffic route is 'historic'? Come on, now.
Traffic scales. This is oversimplification, but there's truth to it - make a wider route, more drivers will fill it. Constrict it, and they'll find another way. Did Vanderbilt turn in to a parking lot? No. Will Washington? No, because some people will think twice before they jump in their car for some frivolous trip.
As the population of Brooklyn continues to grow, what then? If the infrastructure has problems in the current form, what are hundreds of thousands of new residents going to do to it, if they try bring their cars? Driving is very, very low density and, even if it would help, we can't make the streets any wider, so driving needs to be discouraged. Will there be growing pains? Sure, but the problem is going to rear its head either way - in the meantime, we can either adopt changes that will make Washington more viable for business or we can continue to let it languish.
...not that there's anything wrong with that. -
I love Vanderbilt. The median and slew of new bars, cafes and restaurants has, IMO, made it a great place to unwind after a hard week at work. The only problem is that I don't get to other parts of Brooklyn (e.g. Williamsburg, Ditmas Park, even 5th Ave.) as much as I used to, because there are so many cool places on Vanderbilt, Washington, and Franklin Avenues.
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Whyfi why do you hate cars so much?
Vanderbilt is a lot wider than Washington and people are not going to stop driving just becsuse you hate cars.
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nofay
try crossing the street from/to keyfood ---nightmare
here's a great reason to hate cars if you are looking for one
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Who says that I hate cars? What does your assumption (that emotion rules my decision making) say about you?
...not that there's anything wrong with that.
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