From ESD: increased vehicles/pedestrians on Dean Street not "anticipated" to provoke adverse effect on safety

Empire State Development (aka Empire State Development Corporation) has posted (also embedded below) 68 questions and responses from the 6/14/11 public meeting on traffic issues. I've already highlighted some of the questions and responses, including the capacity of sidewalks on Dean Street and plans for the surface parking lot.

No problems from traffic/pedestrian increase?

This one jumped out:

10. Since the introduction of Astroturf to Dean Playground, activity at the playground has significantly increased. Will the increase in traffic and pedestrians make the playground less safe? Will parents still be able to watch their kids play from the sidewalk during league games on the weekends?

No adverse effect on safety in or around the playground is anticipated.

None? Is that why there will be extra cops and security guards around the perimeter of the arena and, presumably, adjacent streets?

As another response explains, there will be about 3000 additional pedestrians traveling between the accessory lot and the arena. It's unclear what fraction will use Dean Street, but it's a main route.

The word "anticipate," as I've documented, has a lot of flex to it.

Safety issue right now

After all, as documented by Atlantic Yards Watch, construction workers periodically rest in the playground, which violates the rule requiring that adults visit the playground only in the company of children.

070811 Response to Questions re Traffic from June 14 Public Meeting