Community Board Meeting on Tues., May 26

The public session of the next Community Board 9 meeting has some noteworthy presentations scheduled. First up, representatives from the Department of Transportation will "present plans for the implementation of traffic calming measures for Empire Boulevard from Flatbush Avenue to Utica Avenue." This is great news. The intersection of Empire Avenue, Flatbush Avenue and Ocean Avenue is pretty scary for pedestrians. One problem is the excessive width of the street, which encourages speeding and unpredictable turns. I'm not sure what the DOT has in mind, but here's what we'd like to see at Flatbush and Empire:

Drawing of Flatbush Ave. at Empire Ave. and Ocean Ave. with raised median, pedestrian refuge, bus bulb, and bollards

• Give pedestrians a head-start at crossings. Set the "walk" light to give pedestrians a 5-10 second lead before vehicles get a green, allowing them to turn. This "all ped" phase will allow people to get started on crossing—increasing their visibility—before cars start turning into them.
• Create curb extensions, which will extend the crosswalk for pedestrians and shorten the distance they need to walk in the street. For added safety, the extensions could be lined with bollards.
• Consider adding bus bulbs, which improve efficiency of buses; unlike other streets, buses here do not have to pull into and out of traffic.
• Reduce street width. Install a raised median or pedestrian refuge island to encourage drivers to slow down and to give pedestrians a safe place to wait while crossing. 

Drawing of Empire Avenue with raised median and pedestrian refuge

Also on the agenda for Tuesday: Legacy Van Lines has applied to operate a new commuter van authority (with a total of 3 vans) in Brooklyn, with the "service area to include portions of Community District 9."  And Caribbean Spotlight at 103 Empire (near Washington) has applied for a liquor license.

Want to hear more? Come on down! 

Middle School 61 Auditorium - 7 pm

400 Empire Boulevard

Brooklyn, NY 11225

If you'd like to speak about any of these agenda items, call the CB in advance at 718-778-9279 and sign up. Members of the public are allowed 3 minutes to speak.

Comments

[diak]

I like your ideas for the Flatbush/Ocean/Empire intersection. But something to keep in mind: a plan like that will only work if people use it. Currently, so many people shortcut directly between the subway station and the Wendy's parking lot, it makes the situation even worse. While I agree the intersection is "scary for pedestrians" there seem to be a lot of people who have no fear of strolling across the Ave with traffic swirling around them. As a frequent driver through that area, few things make me more upset than seeing one of these fearless (and clueless) types dragging a small child to the middle of Flatbush. Any reason to think these daredevils will change their ways and walk the extra 20 steps to the corner?

And also, this is a big pickup and dropoff spot for the dollar vans, adding an entire other level of vehicular chaos.
Anyone have any ideas for that one?

[nicoretta9]

What about a red/green turn signal at Parkside and Ocean? Anyone?