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Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park infographics: what's built/what's coming/what's missing, who's responsible, + project FAQ/timeline (pinned post)

Barclays Center rep, at meeting for first time, promises to follow-up on longstanding concerns (gridlock, illegal parking, etc.). We'll see.

This is the fourth of eight posts regarding the 1/28/20 Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Quality of Life meeting. The first regarded delays in B12/B13, the platform, and Site 5. The second concerned progress at B4, B15, and the railyard. The third concerned parking on the southeast block. The fifth concerned the Community Liaison Office, and impacts from workers. The sixth concerned the next Atlantic Yards Community Development Corporation meeting. The seventh concerned questions for the Department of Transportation. The eighth concerned DEP digging.

Unlike at the previous meeting last November, when no Barclays Center attended to hear neighbors describe gridlock caused by a cluster of recent Disney On Ice performance, this time the arena sent a rep.

In fact, a big-time rep, Jeff Gewirtz. Executive VP, Business Affairs and Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, with his first visit to such meetings. He wasn't particularly up on concerns, but affably promised to address the issues raised.

First he was told about the Disney On Ice gridlock, with neighbors' observations that there seemed to be fewer arena-paid traffic officers than previous. He said they still hire such monitors, though it wasn't clear whether the volume is the same.

One test will be this month's nine Jurassic World Live Tour family shows over four days, with three shows on Friday, Feb. 21, three the next day, and two the day after that.

Other issues

Gewirtz was also told that the cars from the ride-hail app Lyft are combat-parking along Atlantic Avenue, in what's supposed to be a dropoff and pickup zone.

"We’ll look at that and we'll also talk to DOT [Department of Transportation," he said, though surely current practices further their business model.

Resident Steve Ettlinger again brought up the city's failure to enforce illegal parking during Barclays Center events, with driver parking in bus stops, in front of fire hydrants, and in no-standing zones, and asked if the arena coordinated with the NYPD.

"I will follow up," said Gewirtz, who noted that another staffer would be at the next meeting. He said the arena did coordinate with the 78th Precinct.

He was also asked by Erika Clark to ensure that private events are included in the monthly community calendar, "especially on Saturdays," when youth basketball can mean "chaos in Barclays plaza."

"I’ll pass it on," Gewirtz said.

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