The Civic Council has released “Moving Forward on Fourth: A Report to the Community,” a comprehensive review of developments on Fourth Avenue springing from the walking tour held on Nov. 6.
The walk marked “the most recent step in a long process to develop a more cohesive vision for Fourth Avenue,” notes the report. The 19-page-long document, available on the Civic Council’s site, details the large amount of information presented at the tour’s nine stops, as well as questions and feedback from 65 participants in the walk.
Among the highlights of the report:
- Progress is being made to reopen the east side of the Fourth Avenue F train stop for easier community access and more retail space. New York City Transit has estimated the project will cost $31.5 million.
- Plans are moving ahead to develop a play street and public plaza on Fourth Street west of Fifth Avenue, near Washington Park and the Old Stone House. More play space for younger children and a “campus” for M.S. 51 students would be some of the benefits.
- A new idea proposed by participants was a redesigned Washington Park entrance that could enhance park visibility and accessibility, increase bicycle parking, and provide space for a community bulletin board.
- Plans for a garden/park in the empty lot at Sackett Street and Fourth Avenue were discussed. The Department of Environmental Protection currently maintains control over the lot
,to allow for construction of the city’s Third Water Tunnel. Although it will take several years for construction to be completed, the Garden of Union (Union Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues) and Community Board 6 have proposed an interim public garden at the site. - People who joined in the tour were very concerned about recent residential developments along the thoroughfare, particularly the lack of street-level retail, permissible building heights, parking, and pedestrian-friendly design.
- The group discussed planting trees along the avenue, which would be an excellent way to slow traffic, beautify the street, and improve air quality all at the same time.
“All in all,” the report comments, “most everyone agreed: The future of Fourth Avenue can be extremely bright with limitless possibilities … but only if we take the proper steps, action and planning … Now.”
The report is available here. For updates about Fourth Avenue, please send your e-mail address to fofa@parkslopeciviccouncil.org.
Photo by David Herman
from the December 2010 Civic News