Tonight: Speak Up for Safer Crossings at Flatbush/Atlantic/Fourth

Forest City Ratner and DOT want to turn Times Plaza by the Barclays Center into an attractive public space. Photo: Google Maps
Forest City Ratner and DOT want to turn Times Plaza by the Barclays Center into an attractive public space. Photo: Google Maps

A DOT public workshop tonight aims to get the ball rolling on safety improvements at the monstrous intersections where Flatbush, Atlantic, and Fourth avenues converge.

At a meeting in January, Barclays Center developer Forest City Ratner showed a proposal for benches, tables, and planters in Times Plaza — the pedestrian island in the middle of Atlantic, Flatbush and Fourth. Attendees questioned the wisdom of moving forward with public space enhancements without first making it safe to walk to the plaza. Last year alone, six pedestrians and one cyclist were injured at the intersections around the plaza, according to Vision Zero View.

Since then, advocates with Transportation Alternatives’ “People First on Atlantic Avenue” campaign have pushed for safety fixes at the location. This past Saturday, TA volunteers set up a temporary public plaza to draw attention to the space’s potential and the treacherous conditions inhibiting it.

At tonight’s workshop, you can tell DOT what’s wrong with the intersections and brainstorm safety improvements. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Brooklyn YWCA, 30 Third Avenue.

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