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Dear John

Here’s a little traffic update before the new year! We aim to do four of these a year to provide our community with quarterly updates on the traffic issues we’re tackling and hearing most about. We won’t always get to everything in these newsletters, so please continue to reach out about traffic-related issues in your neighborhood so we can help.

Traffic Update

Almost a month ago, on 11/13, 46-year-old Mohammed Hossain ([link removed]) was crossing 37th Street at the intersection with Fort Hamilton Parkway when he was struck and killed in a fatal hit-and-run. Over 220 people have been killed by reckless drivers in our City this year, demonstrating a massive failure of our City’s commitment to Vision Zero ([link removed]) . I have, and will continue, to reiterate my calls for safer streetscapes and more intentional work by all City agencies to build a City where all streets are safe for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.

Truck Traffic

We’ve heard from a number of neighbors that there’s been a noticeable uptick in commercial truck traffic around the Brooklyn Queens Expressway (BQE) in Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, and the Columbia Waterfront. This truck traffic has led to increased congestion on local roads, making many of them much less safe for cyclists and pedestrians. Also, it’s illegal for many trucks to use these local roads instead of the designated truck routes! To combat this problem, I wrote a letter ([link removed]) with other local elected officials asking the NYPD Traffic Bureau to step up enforcement along this corridor to ensure we’re keeping this truck traffic where it belongs.

Beyond truck traffic, we’re still coordinating with local elected officials to ensure the state, and the City, adopt a corridor-wide approach to BQE South.

Union Street

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has proposed changing Union Street from a two-way street to a one-way street eastbound from 8th Avenue to Plaza Street West. While at face value, I support streetscape changes like this to redirect traffic and create more space for cyclists, I have heard numerous concerns from the community about traffic in this area. After consulting with the Transportation Committee for Community Board 6, I encouraged DOT to rethink their proposal, and they are currently in the process of revising the design. We’ll share more information when we have another update!

Community Bulletin
* Join our friends at the Rat Academy for an IRL session tomorrow ([link removed]) , 12/4, at the Brooklyn Public Library. Join the city’s top rat experts in person from 5 - 7 PM to learn more about rat prevention!
* Twenty artists from the Park Slope Windsor Terrace collective invite you to view their work during the weekend of 12/9 and 12/10 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The show will be in a historic warehouse at 481 Van Brunt Street in the lively Red Hook neighborhood, filled with restaurants, microbreweries, and a great view of New York Bay and the Statue of Liberty.
* RSVP ([link removed]) for the Gowanus Oversight Task Force Public Meeting on 12/14 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at P.S. 133! The City has committed to $450 million in total investments in Gowanus. The task force has invited NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA), and NYC Small Business Services (SBS) to present the status of their commitments to NYCHA, affordable housing, small business support, and workforce training for residents. Your participation and expertise is vital to making a positive impact in Gowanus.
* Camp Friendship is still collecting toys for their annual toy drive. Drop-offs are on Fridays (6-7:30 PM) and Saturdays (9 AM - 12:30 PM) at 339 8th Street in Park Slope. Please bring new unwrapped gifts to support our neighbors in need this holiday season. Be sure to bring in your donations before the giveaway on 12/17!
* The application for Open Streets is now officially open! Check out the application and eligibility requirements here ([link removed]) , and be sure to get your application in before 1/31/24.
* Our office is planning a job and volunteer fair for high school students in March! If you are a local employer that will be looking to fill summer jobs, internships, or volunteer opportunities, please fill out our interest form ([link removed]) . Contact our office with any questions or if you need support on the application.
* TheBrooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled ([link removed]) (BCID) has launched a new helpline for disabled New Yorkers. Call Mondays and Wednesdays from 3-7 PM at 929-548-0818 to speak with a disabled peer and get the help you need.
* Although winter is right around the corner, NYC Parks is excited to announce their recruitment drive for lifeguards for our 2024 beach and pool season! Parks is looking for dedicated, mission-driven individuals to play a critical role in keeping a close watch on our pools and beaches, making summer happen for millions of New Yorkers. More information about requirements and how to apply is available on the Parks website ([link removed]) .
* Communities Speak ([link removed]) , a community survey developed by Columbia University, is collecting responses for their recent needs assessment survey. The goal is to understand the impact of our City government's responsiveness to the needs of low-income and minority populations, who are typically most impacted by unanticipated economic and social shocks. The anonymous survey is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Arabic, and Bengali. The results will be shared in published policy briefs and with our community and government partners.

In Solidarity,

Shahana
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