Safety Improvements?

For weeks the Cobble Hill Association has been vocal about the need for dramatic safety improvements to the Columbia/Furman/Atlantic intersection that provides access to the the newly opened Pier 6 waterfront park.  The Dept of Transportation heard our concerns shared amongst many civic groups and electeds officials in the area and agreed to make short term changes and plan long term improvements.

Our friends at the Brooklyn Heights Blog caught a sight of this sign, one of the short term changes that should tame traffic and remind drivers they need to yield to pedestrians and cyclists.  But they also noticed driving behavior has remained the same. And realistically, does the 'NEW' text go far enough at all? The driving laws of NYC already require

• When making a turn, yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk;
• At a red light or STOP sign, come to complete stop before you get to the crosswalk;
• Violation of these laws could cost you a $100 fine and 3 points on your license.

New York City already leads the nation in the number of pedestrians killed in motor vehicle crashes and sadly over one-half of pedestrian fatalities occur at intersections with traffic signals. Perhaps this  cautionary message simply gets lost amongst the half dozen other signs posted. Bigger, bolder changes like visually bold textures or raised crosswalks are needed in the street, coupled with neckdowns on the sidewalks to shorten crossing distances.

The Cobble Hill Association remains committed to having a safe approach to our neighborhood's waterfront. We encourage all residents to contact Community Board 6 and area councilman Brad Lander about this problematic intersection. And if you have ideas or specific concerns you'd like to share with us, drop us a line at cha@cobblehillassociation.org.

Fix the Ditch - Workshop #2

The kick off workshop for the BQE 'Fix-the-Ditch' was a tremendous success. Now it's time to bring that energy back for Round 2 when the project team will present initial conceptual plans and ask for feedback.

When: Tuesday, July 20th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Long Island College Hospital (LICH), Avram Conference Center, Rooms A & B, 339 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201

Please see two presentations that have been posted on EDC’s website for background on the project, including:
1)    The presentation from the 5.4.10 meeting on EDC’s website.
2)    A draft summary of the 5.4.10 workshop--we will refine and present it on 7.20.10

Cobble Hill Concert Series

Thanks to the work of organizer Rudy Kamuf, the CHA's annual series of summer concerts in Cobble Hill Park is about to begin again in August. The concerts are always free to the public and a great way to enjoy the park and meet your neighbors.

This summer's series will feature FOUR FREE CLASSICAL CONCERTS, all scheduled for Thursday evenings in August beginning at 7p.m (rain date for each is following night, Friday)

August 5 The Claremont Strings (Viola-Violin-Cello)
August 12 The Wadsworth Strings (Guitar-Violin-Cello)
August 19 The Gene Drop Ensemble (2 Violins- Cello)
August 26 The Cady Finlayson Ensemble (Guitar-Violin-Cello)

The "Music in the Park" concert Series is sponsored by the Cobble Hill Association & The Cobble Hill Community Fund with the generous support of Long Island College Hospital,  Ridgewood Savings Bank and Ted & Honey Café and Market.

LICH gets a little Greener

While our local institution, Long Island College Hospital, has been in the news recently for its likely merger with SUNY-Downstate, we didn't want to let this little green nugget go silent. After enrolling in the Energy Curtailment Specialists' (ECS) PowerPay! New York Program in 2008, the hospital has gotten a bit more eco-conscious and implemented a hopsital wide notification system that, among many benefits, helps reduce energy use during critical periods when grid supply is low.  When asked to shed 1200 kilowatss during a 'test period' LICH...

went above and beyond by curtailing 2120 kilowatts; 920 kilowatts more than expected.... When the doctors, nurses, and other staff are notified of the event, they may shut off lights when a room is not in use as part of their own commitment to reducing electricity.
"Long Island College Hospital is an ideal customer for our program because they are so motivated to help within the community all while taking the necessary precautions to assure patient safety," said Glen Smith, president, chief executive officer and co-founder of ECS.

The Cobble Hill Association is very glad to have LICH taking care of both the patients inside the building and the community's energy needs around it.
image courtesy of Ruby Washington/The New York Times

Pier 6 Safety Improvements on the Way

Many residents and park-goers have been worried about the incredible dangers of the approach to Brooklyn Bridge Park's new Pier 6. The Cobble Hill Association responded quickly, speaking with local elected officials to urge the Department of Transportation to implement changes immediately, and plan a safer approach for the future.

Word came through this State Senator Daniel Squadron's office that help is on the way because DOT has 'heard his and our constituents' cries for improved safety'.  DOT outlined the following steps in response.

-“Stop Here on Red” sign on Atlantic Avenue at the eastbound approach to the on-ramp, to communicate to drivers that they do not have a free left turn when the light ahead is red and the pedestrian indication across the ramp is WALK.

  

-“Turning Vehicles Yield to Pedestrians” sign on Atlantic Avenue at the westbound approach to the on-ramp, to emphasize  to drivers that  they must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

  

- Conducting a traffic study to determine if further signal or regulation changes that will reduce vehicle-pedestrian conflicts at this location are feasible.  Additional recommendations will be shared publicly in near future.

  

- Evaluating medium term opportunities for more significant reconfigurations to the street network around Pier 6 that will assist with bicycle and pedestrian park access, including the intersection of Columbia Street and Atlantic Avenue, and Atlantic Avenue west of  Columbia Street.

The Cobble Hill Association appreciates DOT's response and feels the changes cannot come quick enough.  While the simple signage change may not be a game-changer, the "Stop Here on Red" adjustment could be significant now... and the future plans could prove immensely effective. Without a doubt we will stay on top of the situation.

Hey Cobble Hill, How GREEN are YOU?

Even before the Gulf of Mexico became an oil swamp, Green was the new black. We've all got to be thinking sustainably and now here's a chance to flex your eco-muscle and prove you're doing your part for a cleaner tomorrow.
NYSERDA, ConEd and Councilmember Brad Lander Challenge You to Reduce Your Use in the 39th District!

There are many quick and easy things you can do to bring down your family's electricity usage - from switching to compact florescent light blubs (CFLs), to buying energy efficient appliances, to unplugging power charges when they aren't in use. We want to help as many people as possible to make these kinds of changes.

Our competition begins on August 1st
Simply fill out the online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/reducetheused39
Or, contact Michael Curtin at 718-499-1090 or mcurtin@council.nyc.gov
 
We will send you monthly updates with who has saved the most energy, and with tips to further green your home!

Double D pool will stay OPEN!

Last week we posted about an unfortunate pool closing in our neighborhood, the Douglas-Degraw pool. Fortunately, after local residents and electeds rallied support, the 4 pools which had been set for closure thus summer will instead be open for everyone to enjoy. The City Council and Mayor have agreed to a budget that may not be perfect, but does spare the much needed source of recreation for our residents.  The Brooklyn paper has the full story

CHA calls for safety improvements

At the base of Atlantic Avenue, sits the newly created Pier 6 playground with beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline and active amenities for Brooklyn children to run, jump, climb, dig, and play on. The waterfront spot could be a tremendous resource for our green-space starved borough – if only there was a safe way of getting there.

The Cobble Hill Association has long supported a completely public park with active recreation, and delights seeing neighborhood children using the brand new Pier 6. However, there have been many concerns from the community regarding access to the park. The Atlantic Avenue – Columbia/Furman Street intersection has long needed traffic-calming measures, and now the situation is severe.  Children dart across the swath of asphalt without any pedestrian refuge islands, and stroller moms must wheel carriages hurriedly to avoid speeding traffic from Furman’s excessive road width, while also contending with entering/exiting traffic on the BQE.

Representing the neighborhood’s concerns, CHA board members are pushing for immediate improvements. Association President Roy Sloane brought a motion to the Community Board 6 Transportation Committee asking NYC Department of Transportation to begin temporary safety improvements now, and pursue a long-term traffic plan that would ease crossing for all users.

The Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund along with CHA officers Roy Sloane and Murray Adams met with Councilman Brad Lander to request urgent remediation of the dangerous conditions. He shares our concerns and asked DOT to design safer pedestrian routes from Cobble Hill to Pier 6 to navigate the trip down either Columbia or Atlantic, across the BQE entrance ramps, across their Pier 7 truck gate.  Thankfully, DOT is aware of the problem and working to design solutions.  They indicated they would have some designs within weeks.

Rally to Save the B71

The MTA service cuts are just days away, and we'll be losing one of our vital lifelines connecting Cobble Hill to Prospect Park - the B71. Our good friends by the Columbia Waterfront are organzing a rally to keep support high and momentum strong for avoiding mass transit disaster.

Landmarks Meeting for Cobble Hill

Community Board 6's Landmarks/Land Use Committee will be meeting to discuss 2 items in our borders this week. Please attend and make sure our neighborhood keeps its character.

THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2010.   6:00 PM @ PS 32, 317 HOYT STREET

Agenda
- Presentation and discussion of a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for alterations to lower portion of front areaway, infill on rear elevation third floor, realignment of windows at rear elevation, and dormer addition to attic at 227 Clinton Street (between Amity/Congress Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District.

- Presentation and discussion of a Certificate of Appropriateness application submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the creation of a storefront at 194 Atlantic Avenue (between Court/Clinton Streets), Cobble Hill Historic District.

SUIT UP TO SAVE DOUBLE "D" POOL

Put on your bathing suit (bikinis, yes! Speedos, not so much) and join Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz (who will be donning his swimming trunks) and Councilmember Stephen Levin at a demonstration protesting the city's decision to close of one Brooklyn's most popular outdoor swimming pools!

Please bring inflatable kiddie pools, goggles, and inner tubes, beach balls and handmade, colorful ("SAVE OUR POOL") signs to show the media and elected officials your support for the Douglass-Degraw pool, which serves thousands of local residents and inner city kids.

WHEN: Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 10:00 AM
WHERE: Thomas Greene Park in front of the Pool (Douglass Street between Nevins Street and 3rd Avenue)

WHO: All your neighbors including US Representative Yvette Clarke, Assembly Member Joan Millman, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, City Councilmember Stephen Levin, Boerum Hill Association, Friends of Douglass/Greene Park, Wyckoff Gardens Tenants' Association, Gowanus Houses Tenants' Association, Brooklyn Boulders, Homage

Skateshop, PS 38, PS 261, Math and Science Middle School

Help Keep D & D Pool Afloat

The Cobble Hill Association got recent word that the NYC Parks Department plans to shorten the outdoor pool season by two weeks citywide as well as pull the plug entirely on four pools with low attendance in order to save the city $1.4 million dollars. One of them unfortunately is our closest option, the Douglas - Degraw Pool. Though the Red Hook pool is wonderful and will remain open, the D & D pool is a much more realistic walking destination from Cobble Hill, especially with young children.

There is now a petition up which you can add your signature in just seconds, without any need for submitting donations.

"DON'T CLOSE THE DOUGLASS/DEGRAW POOL IN BROOKLYN"
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopclosureofddpool/

UPDATE!!! Councilman Levin has come out in support of keeping the pool open. Read about it here...
http://brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/25/dtg_gb_levinonpool_2010_06_18_bk.html