Brooklynites will have the opportunity to share their thoughts about the contentious BQE rehabilitation plan at a town hall on Wednesday, April 3.
The Brooklyn Heights Association and A Better Way NYC, which both oppose the Department of Transportation’s plan to replace the Brooklyn Heights Promenade with a temporary six-lane highway, will host a meeting at 7 p.m. at Plymouth Church, located at 57 Orange St.
On the docket: updates on the project, discussions of alternative plans, guest speakers, a presentation of action steps and a question-and-answer session.
Flyer via Brooklyn Heights Association
There have been a few alternative plans suggested since the city’s plan for the six-lane highway was released in September, when it was met with intense backlash from the community. You may have missed one or two, so here’s a roundup:
Create a parallel highway that would move traffic to a temporary two-level structure just west of the existing triple cantilever. This plan, designed by Heights-based architect Marc Wouters, was commissioned by the BHA.
Eliminate cars from the BQE and create a two-lane thruway at the bottom level of the triple cantilever for trucks. Then turn the rest into an elevated park.
Turn the decrepit section of the BQE into a three-level Tri-Line park, similar to the Highline Park in Manhattan. Route cars and trucks along a new, enclosed highway at ground level along Furman Street’s road bed.
Repair the BQE section by section — this is another idea presented by the city, labeled the “traditional approach.” DOT has said, however, that such repairs would be more expensive and take longer than the “innovative” Promenade approach, which they prefer.
BHA and A Better Way hope to attract a large crowd to get their message to the city across.
“Your presence at this informative meeting is vitally important to sending an unambiguous message to Mayor [Bill] de Blasio, Commissioner Trottenberg and our elected officials that we will not accept DOT’s current plans to rebuild the BQE,” the BHA wrote on Facebook.
At a town hall back in September, angry residents yelled out in opposition as Polly Trotenberg, DOT commissioner, presented the agency’s proposed plan.
Borough President Eric Adams, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and City Councilmember Stephen Levin plan to attend, as does Comptroller Scott Stringer (who has recently released his own plan for the BQE rehab project — the one that would eliminate cars and create an elevated park).
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Those interested are asked to RSVP to [email protected].
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
