The Q at Parkside

(for those for whom the Parkside Q is their hometrain)

News and Nonsense from the Brooklyn neighborhood of Lefferts and environs, or more specifically a neighborhood once known as Melrose Park. Sometimes called Lefferts Gardens. Or Prospect-Lefferts Gardens. Or PLG. Or North Flatbush. Or Caledonia (west of Ocean). Or West Pigtown. Across From Park Slope. Under Crown Heights. Near Drummer's Grove. The Side of the Park With the McDonalds. Jackie Robinson Town. Home of Lefferts Manor. West Wingate. Near Kings County Hospital. Or if you're coming from the airport in taxi, maybe just Flatbush is best.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

You Want Good News? I'll Give You Some Good News

Some of you may recall the Q opining that the primary problem (and there are many) with traffic on Flatbush is that there just ain't room for six slots - parking on each side and two lanes of traffic each way. Just one double-parker and it's like a House of Cars; pretty soon everything just falls apart. I fantasized that the long awaited Congestion Corridor project would reduce the driving lanes and create turn lanes where needed, thereby effectively telling dollar vans and speeders to cool it with the crazy lane changes and vroom vrooms. I've been biking up and down Flatbush and watching traffic closely (I know I know after my accident I should be riding on Bedford, but the Q is Qurious like a Quat), and I'm convinced that it would actually make traffic snarls less likely not more.

So how great was it to have DOT come down to the Ed Fanning-led Transportation Committee on Monday and propose EXACTLY that? They'll lay out the plan for the public at the full Board meeting. It's a no-brainer, though I'm sure the Scarecrow will be there complaining about reduced lanes of traffic.Hopefully the Lion and Tinman and Toto will have the votes needed to send the strawman packing. Here's a picture from the presentation, taken by none other than Ed's much younger brother Quest:



When the work to be done? SEPTEMBER! THIS September. Dang, that's gonna be a huge change, for the better I reckon.

There's also a plan to fix the boondoggle that is Lincoln/Washington/Flatbush, and to create a dedicated right turn lane when traveling south on Flatbush when you hit Empire.


Which leads me to the topic of the Flatbush Trees.

Folks.............DOT loved the application. We've been approved! That means, as soon as we finish raising the money (they're giving us as much as $2,000 to start) we can create a truly beautiful piece of art out of those ugly green eyesores. WE GOT APPROVED! The trees are going to finally get a make-over, and it may be that this becomes a revolving art project every couple years, as well as the beginning of reclaiming the whole plaza. They're going to help us at every step of the way. If you don't recall, PLG Arts signed on as partners, and we'll be working with middle-schoolers to create the hexagons needed to create le piece. So tired. Must sleep. Sleep.


11 comments:

Jade said...

Great news!
After all the shooting which left me sad, and in a depressing state, I’m happy to receive some happy news.
Q- As always, you are the champion of our lovely neighborhood (despite the latest incidents). I am grateful for all the time and work you’ve put in to making it even better. I for one appreciate you. Thanks!

Lalid said...

This is wonderful news for the community! Thank you Q for all you do to improve this community and please let us know how we can contribute to the fundraising efforts for the tree project!

Anonymous said...

Re: Just one double-parker and it's like a House of Cars; pretty soon everything just falls apart.

Why not have some traffic enforcement and get the double-parkers to stop it? As you pointed out, Flatbush Avenue isn't wide enough for that nonsense.

Otherwise, this sounds interesting. I'm glad the trees are staying.

Alex said...

Awesome news!!! This is so exciting. I hope that my near constant nagging for the last year of Dr. Eugene's office helped. I cannot wait to see what's in store for Lincoln/Flatbush/Washington.

JDB said...

Wow. That is really good news! What org is set up to accept donations for the tree project?

Clarkson FlatBed said...

Tax-deductible donations will go through "Friends of CB9" which we just got up and running last year for just this sort of project. We'll let you know when we're ready to relieve you of your green.

We'll also do a Kickstarter campaign for the Trees. There'll also be one for the Q Plaza at Parkside. So...don't you worry, there will be plenty of opportunities to chip in...ten bucks, a hundred bucks, whatever fits your budget. Then you get your name on a plaque! (well, maybe it'll be more like a nice piece of industrial tape, but still...)

Clarkson FlatBed said...

Disco: Traffic enforcement? You mean, there are traffic laws on Flatbush? I thought Flatbush was exempt?

JMB said...

awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome

Anonymous said...

Now if we could only get the B train to stop on Parkside! Parkside is treated as if it were insignificant.

Anonymous said...

Parkside is not an express stop... that's like asking the 4/5 to stop at Astor place.

ElizabethC said...

I don't care if the B stops at Parkside but it would be great if it ran over the weekends. The Q is mad crowded on saturday and sunday mornings.