Future of Fourth Avenue

Fourth Moving Forward

Why You Should Help Shape the Future of Fourth Avenue

Fourth Avenue is a traffic artery; a key element in the downzoning of the rest of Park Slope; a place where people live; and a location for exciting new coffeehouses, restaurants, and bars. It is a street of contradictions and transitions, with more changes certain to come from Atlantic Yards.

New buildings and construction sites dot the landscape of Fourth Avenue, with more on the way. More people walk the avenue, cross it, and use its subway stations. The current slow economy has led to a lull in activity along this boulevard. We have a real opportunity to weigh in and help build a community in which we can all thrive. Write us to find out how you can get involved.

The Park Slope Civic Council has long been advocating for Fourth Avenue:

* Removal of the left turn lane from northbound Fourth Avenue to Union Street: The Civic Council, with the enthusiastic support of Assemblywoman Joan Millman, got the NYC Department of Transportation to fill in this left turn lane to create a pedestrian refuge, providing safety for those crossing this busy intersection, to and from the Union Street R train station.

* The lot at Fourth Avenue and Sackett Street: The Civic Council has requested that this long-vacant lot, which provides access to the City's Third Water Tunnel, be co-purposed to include a public garden. This request was made many years ago, and we continue to advocate for this change. (Read the Civic News article about the garden planned for the site--way back in 1999!)

* P.S. 133 and the Baltic Street Community Garden: The Civic Council passed a resolution calling for the preservation of the school (a landmark) and the garden (precious green space on a barren avenue). Both, sadly, are being plowed under. (Read the Civic News article about the history of the Baltic Street block.)

* Trees: The addition of planters and trees along Fourth Avenue continues to be a priority for the Civic Council.

* The Fourth Avenue/Ninth Street subway station: The Civic Council has submitted plans to New York City Transit, and continue to advocate, for reopening a long-closed entrance to the F subway station on the east side of Fourth Avenue between Ninth and Tenth Streets and to restore long-closed, adjacent retail space. The community would benefit in several ways: Fewer people would have to cross this very busy intersection to get to the subway, increasing safety for everyone; NYCT would earn needed income by renting the retail space; and a safer, more inviting streetscape under what is presently a dark, dingy underpass.

Learn more! E-mail fofa@parkslopeciviccouncil.org.

Photo by David Herman