BrooklynSpeaks session tonight addresses transportation issues; stated focus on subway access, parking (permits), etc. Where's Site 5 loading?

Tonight's session, the second in BrooklynSpeaks' four-week Crossroads initiative to generate a new plan for, and improvements related to, Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park, concerns Transportation. It's at 7 pm; the main presentation and slideshow should be posted soon after, with the opportunity to comment.

(Last week concerned Urban Design, which I covered, focusing on proposals for Pacific Street and for Dean Street. The entire effort is keyed to an expected effort by the developer and state to move the bulk from the unbuilt "Miss Brooklyn" tower, once slated to loom over the arena, across Flatbush Avenue to Site 5, long home to Modell's and P.C. Richard, to enable a giant two-tower project.)

Let's look at an October 2019 session, the only previous BrooklynSpeaks public meeting since 2014, which was something of a preview. From BrooklynSpeaks' summary, After 16 years, it's time for a new plan:

Include a transportation plan that works

The transportation group was led by Michael Cairl, transportation consultant and member of the Park Slope Civic Council. Parking was a key concern of participants. Legislative solutions like residential permit parking and congestion pricing were proposed. Frustration was expressed about the failure of the NYPD 78th Precinct to utilize the 24 parking spaces provided in the garage at 535 Carlton Avenue.

The group discussed ways to improve transit service in the area. Adding countdown timers to bus stops was suggested, as was creating dedicated bus lanes enforced by automated camera systems. Additional cars should be added to subways serving the Atlantic Avenue/Barclays Center station, and the MTA should study increasing local subway speeds to add more trains as well (more R trains were a particular interest). A new building constructed at Site 5 should include an entrance to the subway from Flatbush Avenue, and the existing sidewalk entrance on Fourth Avenue and Pacific Street should be relocated inside the new building. A new, accessible entrance at Fourth Avenue and Dean Street should also be considered.

Finally, pedestrian safety should be enhanced by further reducing speed limits, adding red light and speed cameras, and introducing traffic-calming features like speed bumps, neckdowns and raised crosswalks.

Revised proposals: Flatbush and Atlantic

We'll hear more tonight, amplifying the recently posted set of requests, under 2. Include a transportation plan that works:

The intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Atlantic Avenue has long been considered one of the most dangerous in Brooklyn, and traffic there has only become more congested during the COVID-19 pandemic. New development at this location must be required to contribute to solutions to issues that threaten pedestrian and cyclist safety every day, and clog local streets with cars parking and idling illegally. Likewise, leveraging transit-rich sites to increase commercial and residential density also carries an obligation to maintain the service level of existing subway and bus lines.

Those are reasonable observations, but it should be noted, as I wrote yesterday regarding Pacific Street, that pedestrianizing part of Flatbush Avenue, as has been proposed by Transportation Alternatives, would inevitably put more pressure on the streets around Site 5.

Subway entrances at/near Site 5

From the document:

The developers and NYC Transit should alleviate sidewalk overcrowding at the existing entrances to the Atlantic Avenue/Barclays Center subway station by

• creating an entrance on Flatbush Avenue to be located within a new building constructed on Site 5;
• relocating the entrance at Fourth Avenue and Pacific Street to within a new building constructed on Site 5; and
• creating a new entrance at Fourth Avenue and Dean Street, including an accessible entrance with an elevator.

The first two are uncontestable, and the second likely more contested, since the developers might balk at funding an entrance a block from their building (or buildings). That said, a project equivalent to, say, the Chrysler Building, implies new reliance on transit, so it's not unreasonable to contemplate an additional entrance.

Where's the loading?

As I suggested, BrooklynSpeaks should also address the apparent projected use of Pacific Street for parking and deliveries at Site 5, which would interfere with traffic calming efforts and creation of a "slow street." The document also states:

Site 5 must include pick-up and drop-off within the lot lines of its development, including internal loading docks and bays.

But would that be on Pacific Street or not?

Adding subway capacity

From the document:

NYC Transit should add incremental subway capacity by studying speed limit increases on the subway lines servicing the Atlantic Avenue station, and providing for full-time operation of the B train.
NYC DOT should construct shelters at each bus stop on the arena block, Times Plaza, and any stops added on the block bounded by Pacific Street, Flatbush Avenue, Atlantic Avenue and Fourth Avenue (Site 5). Shelters should include bus countdown timers.

Such studies and shelters should be standard for the city.

Moving parking, and RPP?

From the document:

The City, the State and the developers must agree on a plan to move NYPD and FDNY personal parking off of the streets and sidewalks on Sixth Avenue, Pacific Street, Dean Street and Bergen Street, and repair existing damage.
The State must approve a residential permit parking system within a five-block radius of the arena for implementation by NYC DOT.

Well, the idea floated last week--a new building and parking lot near the 78th Precinct, if the fire station moves--also deserves discussion and sunlight, as I wrote, rather than presented as a fait accompli.

Residential permit parking (RPP) has previously been nixed, likely because city and state officials didn't want to spend political capital and offend the interests of the arena operating company. That has to be acknowledged, and the arena operator needs to be put on the spot.

On Flatbush, new design

From the document:

NYC DOT must implement a design for Flatbush Avenue between Pacific Street and Fifth Avenue that addresses contention for the curb and sidewalk from takeout and delivery operations on the west side of the street.

That relates to the huge business, including deliveries, from Shake Shack and Chick-fil-A, across from the arena. 

It's not directly related to Atlantic Yards, but surely there wouldn't be such volume businesses without the hope of arena crowds--though they're busy on non-event days.

As shown in the photo taken Jan. 17, two days ago, the improvised barriers set up by the 78th Precinct--aimed to bar parking and keep delivery bikes off the sidewalk, as I wrote in October--was compromised.

That said, this situation could/should be addressed even before anything with a clearer Atlantic Yards nexus.