More Details on Myrtle Ave. Pedestrian Plaza
[nggallery id=”53261″ template=galleryview] Last night was the second community workshop for the planned redesign of Myrtle Plaza. The photos above show preliminary renderings that will eventually be vetted by CB2 and the Public Design Commission. A lot of options are on the table to revamp the stretch running from Hall to Emerson that includes a…
[nggallery id=”53261″ template=galleryview]
Last night was the second community workshop for the planned redesign of Myrtle Plaza. The photos above show preliminary renderings that will eventually be vetted by CB2 and the Public Design Commission. A lot of options are on the table to revamp the stretch running from Hall to Emerson that includes a two-block pedestrian plaza between Hall and Grand. Among the possibilities mentioned by the DOT were a farmers market, game tables, cafe seating, and a shade structure or a kiosk. A performance space was a popular idea batted about during the first community workshop, so that will likely be included in the plans. Also, plans are to have artwork from Matthew Gellar incorporated throughout the site. Not included in the plaza are public bathrooms and bike lanes, although there will be bike parking. While some attendees of the meeting last night voiced concerns about businesses getting pushed out and money being spent on the plaza while “buses are shutting down, schools are shutting down,” DOT and the Myrtle Avenue Bid still plan to present the plans to CB2 later this month. (No businesses along this strip of Myrtle will be altered directly through the pedestrian plaza.) Construction on the plaza should last until August 2013.
Sorry, I would have clarified had I known another Blaise was in charge.
Best of luck you guys! I’m relatively new to Clinton Hill but I hope progress is made on this proposed pedestrian plaza.
jelly donut-
the commenter on this post going by “Blayze” is not the director of the Myrtle BID or MARP, who’s name is Michael Blaise Backer. Not sure why “Blayze” wouldn’t have clarified that on his/her second comment. As a general rule, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership staff does not post comments on blog posts pertaining to our work unless it is to specifically address a question asked, make a correction, or dispel an incorrect rumor.
Thanks, and hope that clears that up.
Well, it’s an awkward setup of brand new (Pratt’s giant glass building), a few pleasant prewar tenements, and postwar-style leftovers (Associated Supermarket, Blockbuster, and that sad post office) that make up this stretch. That and a White Castle, which to me is hilarious as Pratt’s new building has a giant window that basically looks down onto it.
So yeah, basically that nice stretch of shops that ends on Hall Street basically turns into a mess, picks up again on Classon (Square Root Cafe, Dope Jams, Dive Turkey all brighten it up), then fizzles again by the time you get to Kent.
Don’t get me wrong, I shop at Associated, love Bergen Bagels, and the gaggle of restaurants there like the Pillow Lounge are usually frequented quite well. It could be a wonderful continuation of Myrtle if the pedestrian plaza opened up new restaurant or cafe space, or a garden of some sort. Basically, make it anything but the dead road that only the b54 uses and often gets stuck in.
So Blayze, I agree with you, but aren’t you a little biased? i mean being the head of the BID and all…
But seriously, this stretch of Myrtle (could be worse) could use the help.
I live basically next door to this proposed plaza, and believe me. There’s plenty of b54 bus service on it that would not be interrupted. It’s a giant snow-ridden dump with vacant and derelict condos on some of the nearby sidestreets. Not to mention, it’s basically used as pedestrian plaza already, minus the fact that it’s ugly and crowded by cars. So please, do turn it into something pleasant. That stretch of Myrtle could use it, as it’s basically the most unattractive part of the strip.