BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
MARCH 21, 2013
ATTENDANCE:
D. ABRAHAM J. ARMER W. BLUM
J. COHN D. DECOSTANZO D. GORDON
S. LONIAL E. MCCLURE G. REILLY
R. RIGOLLI
EXCUSED:
E. ANDERSON M. CHIRICO D. GIULIANO
K. KRASE A. MCKNIGHT T. MISKEL
M. PETIT M. SILVERMAN R. SLOANE
J. THOMPSON M. VERRET
GUESTS:
C. HRONES – REP. FROM DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
A. INGLESBY – REP. FROM DEPARTMENT OF TRNSPORTATION
T. WRIGHT – REP. FROM DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
R. WONG – REP. FROM DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
N. MUSAMECI J. COLANGELO B. GRAY
H. LORD K. KRANCOURT L. COHN
A. PAVIL N. BUDNICK N. VENUGOPAL
***MINUTES***
Presentation and review of a proposal by the Department of Transportation to install two new on- street bicycle parking facilities (bike corrals): (1) in front of 153 Columbia Street (between Kane/Degraw Streets), and (2) in front of 787 Union Street (between 5th/6th Avenues).
Presentation was made by Chris Hrones and Fubar Kishoni of the NYC Department of Transportation.
Proposal of bike corrals: • Two already exist in CB6 • They are to provide bike parking and daylighting. • Can be done on demand at times with a maintenance partner • There is no typical bike corral – each one is customized for the location.
1. Request by Brooklyn Greenway Initiative on Columbia Street. - Would take up 1 parking space - BGI will maintain planters as well – they double as traffic calmers - Can fit 4 bike racks - Columbia Street has been changing – more people, more bikes
- Businesses on block signed in support, as did landlord of property and Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association.
2. Request by Rose Water Restaurant on Union Street. - On Union and 6th Avenue - Does not remove parking because it is at a loading zone which is being shifted slightly. - Will be adjacent to a new City Bench. - Testimony of owner, John Tucker was read, which asked the Community Board for full support.
Q: What type of trucks use the loading zone and will it affect that size? A: Loading zone is shifted but will be exact same amount of space. The fire hydrant nearest it was larger than typical so not even a full legal spot of parking is lost.
Q: Neither of these locations are daylighting at end of block? A: Daylighting is not the only purpose and not a requirement.
Jerry Armer made a motion to support two proposed bike corrals at 787 Union Street and 153 Columbia Street. The motion was seconded by Doug Gordon.
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
Presentation and review of a proposal by the Department of Transportation to install a new pair of bicycle lanes on Union Street (eastbound) and Sackett Street (westbound) between Van Brunt Street and 3rd Avenue.
New bicycle facilities at Union and Sackett Streets presented by Kim Nycourt of the Department of Transportation.
Community request for a bike connection across Union Street Bridge (at Council Member Lander’s Participatory Budget Hearing). It will provide greater connectivity between Brooklyn Greenway and Grand Army Plaza.
Currently: Degraw Street bike lane stops at 3rd Avenue – can’t cross the canal. Union Street bike lane has no paired lane west of the canal.
Proposed: • Contraflow lane on Union Street between Nevins and Bond Streets • Already 25% of cyclists ride contraflow. • Similar to newly installed contraflow lane in Chicago, also now part of Federal ASHTO guidelines. • Nevins to Union Street via sharrow, same with Bond to Union Streets • Continue Degraw bike lane to Nevins Street • Sackett Street standard class 2 bike lane to Van Brunt Street
Q: Why not parking protected bike lane on Union Street?
A: Road bed configuration does not allow it. Department would rather continue existing bike lane. Parking protected works better on wide streets.
Q: One block is near precinct. A: DOT will work with NYPD and probably add sharrows on that block.
Bill Blum made a motion to fully approve DOT request for Union and Sackett Streets bike lanes as
presented by the DOT. Gary Reilly seconded the motion.
MOTION APPROVED: UNANIMOUSLY
Presentation and update from representative for New York City Transit on the ongoing Culver Viaduct Rehabilitation work, including an update on the reopening of the Smith-9th Street subway station, rehabilitation of the 4th Avenue subway station, etc.
Andrew Inglesby of NYCT gave an update on the Culver Viaduct rehabilitation. • Structure is painted and rehabbed nothing falling at Smith/9th Street any longer • All work at 4th Avenue station should be done by May, thanks to money from Borough President Marty Markowitz and Assembly Member Joan Millman. • Looking to get tenants in new street level storefronts at 4th Avenue by 2014. • Full rehab of Smith/9th Streets will be done soon, very soon. • April 22nd week – it will be open. • Currently doing final work on station agent area and mezzanine. • All remaining viaduct work will be done by the end of 2013 • Soon issuing RFP for the storefronts.
Q: Bike storage area at base of station since Red Hook is transit isolated? A: No feedback yet with stations operations but MTA will inquire for follow up.
Update: 7th Avenue station • Planning phase of repairing stairs – may take out 1 if not 2 at a time to speed up completion – starting in June. Whole job would take 6-8 months.
A motion was made by Jerry Armer – we support the DOT extension of Greenway as presented by DOT at the February meeting. The motion was seconded by Bill Blum.
VOTE: 9…..YEAS 0…..NAYS 1…..ABSTENTION WITH CAUSE
MOTION APPROVED
A motion was made by Billl Blum to ask DOT to further study and get community input for • Conover Street one way NB from Beard Street to Sullivan Street; • Beard Street one way WB from Van Brunt to Conover; and • Reed Street one way EB from Conover to Van Brunt.
VOTE: 8…..YEAS 1…..NAYS 1…..ABSTENTION
MOTION APPROVED
A motion was made by Eric McClure and seconded by Doug Gordon to adjourn.
The minutes were submitted by Dave Paco Abraham.