One of the most unfathomable DOT decisions in recent Prospect Heights history — leaving aside for a moment the virtually useless and largely ornamental expansion of the “pedestrian island” where Flatbush Avenue meets Grand Army Plaza — is the decision to renovate a massive stretch of the Eastern Parkway median and yet somehow neglect the last few blocks from Brooklyn Museum up to Grand Army Plaza. That stretch, pretty much the public face of Prospect Heights to the millions of outsiders who come to visit the Museum, zoo, botanical garden and library.
As Robert Witherwax wrote: “Those of us who traverse this god-forsaken path every day, on foot, by wheel, or with paws, know that it is in DESPERATE need of repair between Washington and Plaza … the intersection at Washington is DANGEROUS, and that the median is a shameful welcome mat to put out for the millions of guests coming to our neighborhood, and our cultural institutions.”
So the money finally came through, and yesterday in front of the Brooklyn Museum, Mayor Bloomberg and Congressman Owens jointly announce their funding of the $5.9 million dollar project to renovate the Eastern Parkway median and the Washington Avenue/Eastern Parkway intersection.
This is good, right? If you don’t own a car, yes. We’ve heard that part of the plan involves taking away parking spots from Eastern Parkway, a move that could force more Prospect Heights residents to garage their cars in expensive and scarce lot space. [Update: This may be a scurrilous rumor… EasternPkwy reports: “The plan will actually ADD spots, on the eastern end of the block, since the currently zebra-striped area will become actual median (about 8 car lengths on both sides of the street). Still undetermined are the number and location of bus stops, and whether we will have loading/unloading zones at other points along the strip, which may mean no parking during the day…”]
Also, as Ben says: “I was disappointed to see that construction will not start until the fall of 2007 – 2 years from now – and will not be completed until 2009.”
While insiders say some parts of the project might begin and finish earlier than the 07-09 window, one can’t help but wonder why Bloomberg chose to make this announcement now, just 3 weeks before an election… FLUTE points out the need for time to design the project, do bidding and awarding of contracts, and so on: “A year for that is not entirely unlikely … But I do agree, the timing of the announcement is a bit suspect. I guess those are the benefits of being Mayor.”