myrtle minutes - Urban Planning & Streetscape

Trilok Students Show Off Their Tree Guard Design!

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:26:00 -0400

Four and five year olds from the 'Grapes and Berries' class at the Trilok Center for Arts & Education were presented with a laser-cut steel proof of their design earlier today. Proofs are made before a design can be manufactured into a tree guard. After that, they can be displayed and enjoyed as artwork. The wee ones' original tree panel design was selected in the second round of tree guard installations on Myrtle Avenue. Awwwww, start 'em young, folks! The students designs were made into a tree bench and installed on Myrtle Avenue and Waverly. Follow us (!) on Instagram for other great pics like this one. Congratulations Trilok 'Grapes and Berries' class! Myrtles tree guards are both functional and durable, and offer a canvas that reflects local creativity. They were created with a modular design so that each set of panels can have a unique, laser-cut design, meeting the Partnerships goal of creating more opportunities to incorporate local public art into the streetscape. The newest tree guard panels were designed by 24 local artists, who were selected through an open call for public art. Phase II was funded by the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn BID, NYS DEC Urban and Community Forestry, and NYS Main Street. Trilok Center for Arts & Education is located at 143 Waverly Avenue, just north of Myrtle Avenue. They can be reached at 718.797.1700 or trilokfusion.com.

Park Avenue Spotlight: News12 Visits Park Avenue

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:50:00 -0400

News12 visited Park Avenue yesterday to report on our efforts to improve pedestrian safety. Reporter Nicole Ryan spoke with MARPs Daniel Scorse, as well as members of the public. The 2-minute piece can be viewed from this page. Simply click on the City working to improve Park Ave. video link. If its not visible, click on the right arrow. The Park Avenue Safety Plan was published in the summer of 2012, after a multi-year community-led effort. Stay tuned for more information.

Spring Planting: Local Schools Help Beautify Myrtle Av

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:50:00 -0400

Yesterday and today, the 7s and 8s (7 and 8 year olds) from Greene Hill School planted ornamental annuals in tree pits along Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn BID provided nearly 1000 seedlings and the tools needed to plant them. Students planted begonias and red salvias in 12 tree pits from Adelphi to Waverly. Spring planting continues later this week. Students from Trilok and PS20 are scheduled to plant annuals in other tree pits along Myrtle. In mid-May, the BID will install perennial plants in Myrtle tree pits that dont already have them. All ornamental plantings are protected by Myrtles award-winning tree guards, which were supported by funding from NYS Main Street and NYS DEC.

Citi Bike Share Info Meeting, 4/24

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:27:00 -0400

Come out and get information and ask questions on the Citi Bike Share Program. When: Meeting is Wednesday, April 24th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Where: Benjamin Banneker Academy, 71-77 Clinton Avenue. Please call Alfred Chiodo at Council Member Tish James office for more information.

Park Avenue Update: Daylighting Approved for 7 Locations

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:17:00 -0400

DOT approved our request to install daylighting regulations at seven locations on Park Avenue! Parked cars near the approach of an intersection can obstruct the visibility of drivers and pedestrians crossing that intersection. Daylighting is a safety measure where parking is restricted within 20-30 feet of the approach to an intersection, allowing drivers and pedestrians a better field of vision. Daylighting can improve safety for both pedestrians and drivers alike. Following are the locations where DOT will install no standing regulations within the next 90 days: Westbound Park Avenue at the approach to North Oxford Street; Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Waverly Avenue; Westbound Park Avenue at the approach to Waverly Avenue; Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Ryerson Street; Westbound Park Avenue at the approach to Grand Avenue; Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Grand Avenue; Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Steuben Street. The Park Avenue Safety Plan was published in the summer of 2012, after a multi-year community-led effort. Stay tuned for more updates...

Info Session to Discuss Upcoming Myrtle Avenue Construction Projects

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:41:00 -0400

Senator Velmanette Montgomery and Council Member Tish James have coordinated an informational session to discuss the two separate, upcoming contruction/redevelopment projects for Myrtle Avenue. Associated Supermarket owners will be present to discuss the upcoming renovations and plans. NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) will be on hand to discuss the upcoming Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza. The information session will take place on Monday, April 15th at 7pm, Willoughby Walk (185 Hall Street/Basement Community Room).

McKinney, MARP Honor Tree Guard Artists

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:12:00 -0400

This morning, Susan S McKinney Secondary School of the Arts gave awards to dozens of students for various academic achievements, such as best grades and most improved. Three students received special recognition for their original tree guard panel designs that were selected in the second round of tree guard installations on Myrtle Avenue. Kayla Lewis, Emily Vilorio, and Lanique Green (left to right in photo), were each called to the front of the auditorium, accompanied by a round of cheers from their classmates. MARP presented each artist with a laser-cut steel proof of their design. Proofs are made before a design can be manufactured into a tree guard. After that, they can be displayed and enjoyed as artwork. Each of the students designs were made into a tree guard and tree bench and installed on Myrtle Avenue. Following are the locations: Kayla Lewis guard is east of N. Portland; bench is at Waverly; Emily Vilorio guard is at 471 Myrtle between Washington and Hall; bench is at N. Portland; Lanique Green guard is at 414 Myrtle between Vanderbilt and Clinton, bench is east of N. Portland. Congratulations to these three artists and all the other students who received awards today! Myrtles tree guards are both functional and durable, and offer a canvas that reflects local creativity. They were created with a modular design so that each set of panels can have a unique, laser-cut design, meeting the Partnerships goal of creating more opportunities to incorporate local public art into the streetscape. The newest tree guard panels were designed by 24 local artists, who were selected through an open call for public art. Phase II was funded by the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn BID, NYS DEC Urban and Community Forestry, and NYS Main Street.

Myrtle Tree Guard Spotlight: "Squiggly"

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:03:00 -0400

Today, we take our first look at one of the student-designed panels, Squiggly, by Vera Arno from Greene Hill School. Says Vera: When I was first trying to create a design, I sat down with my purple marker and paper and the idea just came to me and I started making some squiggly lines. I made it because it was simple and it was something that I thought of at the moment. I like it that it's simple and I enjoyed creating it. I really didn't think I would win, I was just doing it because it was fun. I'm glad that I get to share my art with the neighborhood so that everyone can see it and enjoy it. I think it's cool that anyone who comes to the neighborhood and passes by will get to see something that I made! Locations for Squiggly: Bench is near the new Pharmacy at 355 Myrtle @ Adelphi; Guard is near DC Optics at 390 Myrtle between Clermont and Vanderbilt. Myrtles tree guards are both functional and durable, and offer a canvas that reflects local creativity. They were created with a modular design so that each set of panels can have a unique, laser-cut design, meeting the Partnerships goal of creating more opportunities to incorporate local public art into the streetscape. The newest tree guard panels were designed by 24 local artists, who were selected through an open call for public art. Stay tuned for more spotlights&

Survey: Help Plan Events in the Future Plaza

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:48:00 -0400

Please take a few minutes to fill out this online survey. It will help us plan events in Myrtle Avenues future plaza, between Grand and Emerson. The Myrtle Avenue plaza will create 25,000 square feet of new pedestrian space by reconfiguring two blocks of the four-block service road. Enhancements include: improved crossings, new bus stops, dozens of new trees, large planters with ornamentals, game tables, a water fountain, a permanent art installation, moveable tables and chairs, and more. The plaza will also provide space for community programming. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer and will last over a year. For more information about the plaza design, see this blog post . NYU graduate students completing their Capstone project are helping us plan for programming. Thank you for your time.

Myrtle Tree Guard Spotlight: Groundswell

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 09:49:00 -0400

This is the sixth in a series of posts highlighting specific tree guard designs on Myrtle Avenue. Since 2006, artist Deanna Lee has been making motifs of undulating lines that evoke organic forms, natural patterns like waves and wind currents, geological strata, and topographical maps. Her Groundswell tree guard panel design follows this motif. Says Lee: I think the physical location of the panel, being close to the ground, reminds us of essential relationships in nature: Water and nutrients in soil feed the trees, and the trees feed us oxygen. Groundswell conveys the energy coursing within all forms of life, our connections to nature, and a rise in protecting the presence of nature in our communities. Locations for Groundswell: Bench is in the southbound B69 bus stop, on Vanderbilt just south of Myrtle; Guard near Hardee Chinese Restaurant, 351 Myrtle between Carlton and Adelphi. Myrtles tree guards are both functional and durable, and offer a canvas that reflects local creativity. They were created with a modular design so that each set of panels can have a unique, laser-cut design, meeting the Partnerships goal of creating more opportunities to incorporate local public art into the streetscape. The newest tree guard panels were designed by 24 local artists, who were selected through an open call for public art. Stay tuned for more spotlights&

Myrtle Tree Guard Spotlight: Bridge Crossing

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:22:00 -0400

This is the fifth in a series of posts highlighting specific tree guard designs on Myrtle Avenue. Small Business Services Commissioner Rob Walsh and his 10-year-old son Liam drew upon their frequent walks across the Brooklyn Bridge for inspiration for Bridge Crossing. Just before being asked to design a tree guard panel, Commissioner Walsh read David McCulloughs book The Great Bridge, about the tremendous vision and determination it took to complete the epic project. Says Commissioner Walsh: The Brooklyn Bridge is an icon of Brooklyn, and represents not only special moments for me and my son, but a special symbol for the borough of Brooklyn and the entire City. Locations for Bridge Crossing: Bench near Red Apple Supermarket, 218 Myrtle between Ashland and Fleet. Guard near Connecticut Muffin, 423 Myrtle @ Clinton. Myrtles tree guards are both functional and durable, and offer a canvas that reflects local creativity. They were created with a modular design so that each set of panels can have a unique, laser-cut design, meeting the Partnerships goal of creating more opportunities to incorporate local public art into the streetscape. The newest tree guard panels were designed by 24 local artists, who were selected through an open call for public art. Stay tuned for more spotlights&

Myrtle Tree Guard Spotlight: The Itsy Bitsy Spider

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:09:00 -0400

This is the fourth in a series of posts highlighting specific tree guard designs on Myrtle Avenue. MARPs very own Daniel Scorse designed the The Itsy Bitsy Spider panel. The name was a nod to his 18-month old son, Ari, who enjoys the classic childrens song. But the design itself originated from his feelings about the first round of tree guard panels. Daniel is responsible for installing and maintaining the guards and benches, as well as planting ornamentals. I like the negative spaces, the open spaces, in the tree guards, says Scorse. Additionally, I didnt want an abstract design. So I began to think about real objects that have a lot of open space, like webs. Putting the spider in the center was a design challenge for me, but its a fun touch. Locations for The Itsy Bitsy Spider: Bench near Red Lantern Bicycles, 345 Myrtle between Carlton and Adelphi; Guard near Triloks lot, Myrtle @ Waverly. Myrtles tree guards are both functional and durable, and offer a canvas that reflects local creativity. They were created with a modular design so that each set of panels can have a unique, laser-cut design, meeting the Partnerships goal of creating more opportunities to incorporate local public art into the streetscape. The newest tree guard panels were designed by 24 local artists, who were selected through an open call for public art. Stay tuned for more spotlights&

Myrtle Tree Guard Spotlight: Reverie

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:59:00 -0400

This is the third in a series of posts highlighting specific tree guard designs on Myrtle Avenue. Reverie, by Debra Hampton , utilizes positive and negative shapes from cut up advertisements initially used in collage work for which the artist is most known. The original magazine image is first cut in a stylized manner that reduces the subject to a series of striking lines, latticed patterns, and flowing curves. Then the silhouetted shapes are combined and mirrored resulting in organic yet abstracted forms. The eye-catching and psychedelic patterns are reminiscent of Art Nouveau style and the reference is one the artist took into consideration as the metal guards reflect that delicate relationship between nature, art, and industrial urban life. Reverie is also a staff favorite! "Reverie" locations: Bench near Ingersoll Garden, Myrtle @ Fleet; Guard near Bravo Supermarket, Myrtle @ Washington Park; Guard near Doos Barber Shop, 435 Myrtle between Clinton and Waverly Myrtles tree guards are both functional and durable, and offer a canvas that reflects local creativity. They were created with a modular design so that each set of panels can have a unique, laser-cut design, meeting the Partnerships goal of creating more opportunities to incorporate local public art into the streetscape. The newest tree guard panels were designed by 24 local artists, who were selected through an open call for public art. Stay tuned for more spotlights&

Park Avenue Update: Let There be Light

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:11:00 -0400

We received word from DOT that 9 new streetlights will be added to the Park Avenue corridor! Our project partners at Architecture for Humanity New York conducted a light survey that showed many areas were darker than DOTs standard. We included these findings in the Park Avenue Safety Plan. In response, DOT did its own measurements. According to DOT, the following 9 locations will have new streetlights installed by the end of 2013: North Side of Park Ave: Intersection of Park Ave and Grand Avenue; Intersection of Park Ave and Ryerson Street; Intersection of Park Ave and Clinton Avenue; On Adelphi Street; Intersection of Park Ave and Carlton Avenue. South Side of Park Ave: Intersection of Park Ave and Steuben Street; Intersection of Park Ave and Washington Avenue; On Carlton Avenue; On N. Portland Avenue. This is great news! Please stay tuned for more updates&

Myrtle Tree Guard Spotlight: Break Dancing in the Street

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:33:00 -0400

This is the second in a series of posts highlighting specific tree guard designs on Myrtle Avenue. Myrtles tree guards are both functional and durable, and offer a canvas that reflects local creativity. They were created with a modular design so that each set of panels can have a unique, laser-cut design, meeting the Partnerships goal of creating more opportunities to incorporate local public art into the streetscape. The newest tree guard panels were designed by 24 local artists, who were selected through an open call for public art. For Break Dancing in the Street (top), QNY Creative's graphic designers wanted to honor the influence of breakdancing in street culture as well as in art and design. Since breakdancing originated in New York City in the 1970's, it is also of historical relevance to this region where people of so many different cultures and backgrounds live together and meet on the streets. Their design incorporates the vibrancy, movement, and acrobatics we enjoy when watching dancers show off their moves. Stay tuned for more spotlights&

Myrtle Tree Guard Spotlight: Sequenced Matter and Winding Routes

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:26:00 -0400

This is the first in a series of posts highlighting specific tree guard designs on Myrtle Avenue. Myrtles tree guards are both functional and durable, and offer a canvas that reflects local creativity. They were created with a modular design so that each set of panels can have a unique, laser-cut design, meeting the Partnerships goal of creating more opportunities to incorporate local public art into the streetscape. The newest tree guard panels were designed by 24 local artists, who were selected through an open call for public art. In this inaugural post, we look at a pair of designs from Myrtle Avenues very own Manoela Madera and Gray Edgerton. Their design process is the coming together of opposites. They like to come up with ideas separately then see how they come together. When they chose their individual designs for the tree guards, they wanted them to be at opposite ends of the spectrum with regards to form, yet both with a strong graphic visual style. Sequenced Matter (top) is an ordered crystal-like design that conjures imagery of molecular diagrams. This design is a sharp geometric mirror image. The reflected pattern in the individual panel creates a greater repetition in the final tree guard when the panels are connected. "I wanted something fast, direct and visually eye-catching," says Manoela. The inspiration for Winding Routes (bottom) came from drawings that Gray has been doing for a while. The motif of a cluster of vine-like lines, growing, weaving, and taking over the picture plane is a metaphor for the creative process. "I wanted to create the illusion of the metal surface becoming overlapping lines where the cut out negative spaces appear to intersect and weave over and under each other," says Gray. Look for Manoela and Grays designs kiddie corner (opposite!) from each other on the southwest and northeast corners of Myrtle Avenue at Clinton. Stay tuned for more spotlights&

New Tree Guards All In on Myrtle

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:37:00 -0400

The Phase II tree guard installations are complete! 50 new tree guards and tree benches now line Myrtle Avenue, from Flatbush to Classon. Two tree guard models one with a bench and one without were initially designed through a community process and in collaboration with the Pratt Design Incubator for Sustainable Innovation in 2010. The 50 new guards have joined the 40 from 2011. Details on the full project and its timeline are here.

Myrtles tree guards are both functional and durable, and offer a canvas that reflects local creativity. They were created with a modular design so that each set of panels can have a unique, laser-cut design, meeting the Partnerships goal of creating more opportunities to incorporate local public art into the streetscape. The new tree guard panels were designed by 24 local artists, who were selected through an open call for public art. Designs range from graphic patterns and shapes to abstractions of real-world objects. For this phase of the street furniture program, the Partnership worked with art teachers at neighborhood schools, with 10 of the selected panel designs coming from students at these schools, some as young as preschoolers. Check out the coverage we received in todays (1/4/13) Wall Street Journal: Myrtle Avenue Dresses Up Its Tree Guards Residents walking on Brooklyn's stretch of Myrtle Avenue literally have something to sit and marvel about with the recent installation of more than 40 artsy sidewalk benches and tree guards. The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, the umbrella organization that pulls together the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project Local Development Corp. and the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Business Improvement District, recently started work on the second phase of a street furniture and beautification project on its major thoroughfare mainly between Flatbush and Classon Avenues.

Almost all of the 28 new tree guards and 22 benches have been installed, joining 40 others that were put in place in the summer of 2011.

The guards and benches feature laser-cut sheet-metal panels designed by local artists and students in area elementary and preschools. Among the panel designers were Robert Walsh, the city's Small Business Services commissioner, and his 9-year-old son, Liam.

Click here to read the whole article (subscription required). Phase II was funded by the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn BID, NYS DEC Urban and Community Forestry, and NYS Main Street. In the coming weeks, we will spotlight individual tree guard designs. Stay tuned&

Park Avenue Safety Plan Update: 1,000 Signatures!

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 12:09:00 -0400

Weve officially reached our goal of 1,000 signatures on the petition to implement the Park Avenue Safety Plan. The online petition was effective, but the majority of signatures were gathered on hard copy petitions by our dedicated partners and community leaders. The signatures will be formally sent to the agencies with the power to implement the changes outlined in the plan: City DOT, Parks, Sanitation, and State DOT. The signatures should put some weight behind our advocacy efforts. Bonus Update: we received word from City DOT that pedestrian ramps will be installed at two intersections this summer: Park Avenue at Navy and Cumberland. This is a direct result of the safety plan. Stay tuned for more updates&

Park Avenue Safety Plan Update: So Close

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:26:00 -0400

Weve received over 500 signatures on the paper version of our petition. Combined with the ~400 online signatures, we are very close to our goal of 1000! Help us get there during the holiday season. Sign the online petition and/or share it with friends. Your support will help convince the city to implement the safety proposals outlined in the Park Avenue Safety Plan, including: Retimed traffic lights; More street trees; Bus shelters; Daylighting at select intersections; Repaving underneath the BQE; Median parking (to calm traffic and add on-street parking); Various safety measures at crossings under the BQE; Removal of highway-like design at Navy and Steuben streets; A traffic light and crosswalk on the NYCHA/Commodore Barry superblocks. Happy holidays and stay safe.

Park Avenue Safety Plan Spotlight: Repaving

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:33:00 -0400

If youve spent any time underneath the BQE, you know that the pavement conditions are terrible. There are countless potholes from Navy to Steuben, some very large. In some sections, the asphalt near the raised curb is almost entirely gone. This area has been neglected. Upon our request, DOT did send a pothole crew to this area. Some potholes were filled but many more remain. Fixing this issue may require a complete repaving project. We will keep the pressure on DOT to fix the pavement in this area. You can help, by signing the online petition and/or sharing it with friends. Including hard copy petitions, we now have nearly 900 signatures, close to our goal of 1000! Help us get there. Stay tuned for more updates and spotlights&

Park Avenue Safety Plan Spotlight: Street Trees

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:14:00 -0400

Did you know that a full street tree canopy can reduce automobile speeds by 5-10mph? Its true. Thats why we proposed adding street trees to all available spots on Park Avenue between Navy and Steuben. As you can imagine, a wide open street without trees (like this photo) invites speeding. Trees can help. Besides adding beauty and reducing energy bills, street trees have a calming effect on drivers and vehicle speeds. The New York City Parks Department is responsible for street trees. They received our report and asked that our proposal be refined to include each specific location where a tree can go. As you can imagine, siting street trees in NYC is not easy. In the coming months, we hope to map each location where a tree could be planted. Including hard copy petitions, we now have over 800 signatures, close to our goal of 1000! Help us get there by signing the online version and/or sharing it with friends. Stay tuned for more updates and spotlights&

Park Avenue Safety Plan Spotlight: Daylighting

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:38:00 -0400

Daylighting is the practice of removing visual obstructions (parked cars) at intersections to increase safety. At our meeting with DOT, we learned that the city generally does not daylight intersections with traffic signals. However, DOT does daylight intersections with stop signs. At those locations, daylighting gives drivers (and pedestrians) a better view of the intersection so they know when its safe to proceed. DOT asked MARP to specify which intersections in the project area should be daylighted. Based on DOTs preference to daylight intersections governed by stop signs, MARP formally requested daylighting at the following locations: Westbound Park Avenue at the approach to North Oxford Street. Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Waverly Avenue. Westbound Park Avenue at the approach to Waverly Avenue. Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Ryerson Street. Westbound Park Avenue at the approach to Grand Avenue. Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Grand Avenue Eastbound Park Avenue at the approach to Steuben Street. For more information about daylighting, watch this short film. Including hard copy petitions, we now have over 800 signatures, close to our goal of 1000! Help us get there by signing the online version and/or sharing it with friends. Stay tuned for more updates and spotlights&

Park Avenue Safety Plan Update: Greene Hill School Steps Up

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 11:57:00 -0400

This week we report on some great community work from Greene Hill School. The elementary school is located on Adelphi just north of Park Avenue. Students, parents and teachers cross Park Avenue multiple times per day. They know the issues and care about them as much as anyone else. Second grade teacher James Choi knew about the Park Avenue Safety Plan and thought that his students would like to help. And help they did! James class collected almost 100 signatures for our petition. Each student then wrote a letter to DOT asking to make Park Avenue safer. Many focused on the issue that confronts them every day: inadequate pedestrian crossing time. Read the letter on this page for an example. Great work class! Including the signatures gathered by Greene Hill, we now have a total of 725 signatures! Add you name by signing the online version and/or sharing it with friends. Stay tuned for more updates and spotlights&

Public Design Commission Approves Designs for Myrtle Plaza

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 11:25:00 -0400

After extensive public input and multiple design iterations, the New York City Public Design Commission (PDC) approved the plans for Myrtle Plaza, a $6M capital project to reconstruct the streets and sidewalks of Myrtle Avenue between Hall Street and Emerson Place. The Myrtle Avenue plaza will create approximately 25,000 square feet of new pedestrian space by reconfiguring two blocks of the four-block service road and the southeast corner of Myrtle at Hall. Enhancements include: improved crossings, new bus stops, dozens of new trees, large planters with ornamentals, game tables, a water fountain, a permanent art installation, moveable tables and chairs, and more. The plaza will also provide space for community programming. The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Business Improvement District will be the citys maintenance partner and will be responsible for upkeep and programming. Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2013 and will last over a year. Check out the site plan and renderings here. This project is part of the first round of NYC DOTs capital Plaza Program . Funding was provided by Councilmember Tish James, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and NYC DOT.

Park Avenue Safety Plan Update: Rainwater and the BQE

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 12:43:00 -0400

With Superstorm Sandy in the rearview mirror and a noreaster brewing over the Atlantic, this week we look at rainwater and the BQE. Just a few short years ago New York State DOT completed a major rehabilitation of the elevated portion of the BQE between Navy and Steuben. Lighting was greatly improved (only the area under the BQE at Steuben remains below standard). However, the downspouts that direct BQE runoff to storm drains are already leaking profusely. If you pass under/near the area during a rain storm you will see countless downspouts leaking some heavily onto the roadway below. We call on NYS DOT to fix this eyesore. We also believe that the runoff from the BQE could be used, instead of mixed with sewage and discarded. Innovative planters could be installed at the edge of the parking areas (where these is some sun) and runoff could be directed into them, feeding plants and reducing the frequency/volume of combined sewer overflow events. See the Park Avenue Safety Plan for more details. As a reminder, Please spread the word about the online petition. Stay tuned for more updates and spotlights&

Park Avenue Safety Plan Update: Meeting with DOT

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:45:00 -0400

Earlier this week MARP staff met with representatives from the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT). DOT wants to start an official project addressing many of the issues we outlined in the Park Avenue Safety Plan! However, that would not likely happen until 2014. Some things could happen sooner, before a formal project. Following are some highlights from the meeting: DOT initiated a warrant study to determine if pedestrian volumes on the superblock warrant a traffic signal. DOT captured speed data on Park and is getting volume data. Countdown pedestrian clocks will be coming to all intersections, probably next year. DOT initiated a lighting efficiency study, to determine where light levels are low. Any place that does not meet the minimum requirements will get additional lighting. DOT will look into adding stop signs and no parking pavement markings near the entrance/exit of each parking area under the BQE. MARP have some follow-up to do as well. We will do our part. Will you do yours? Please spread the word about the online petition. Stay tuned for more updates and spotlights&

Park Avenue Safety Plan Spotlight: Bus Bulbs

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:17:00 -0400

In a little over a month since the release of the Park Avenue Safety Plan, nearly 600 concerned citizens have already shown their support by signing the petition, in hard copy and online . If you havent signed already, please add your voice. Bus bulbs are sidewalk extensions at bus stops that improve safety, bus operations, and provide extra space for amenities. The extension improves safety because it shortens the distance that pedestrians need to cross, while calming traffic. They improve bus operations because buses dont have to pull over and then back out into traffic. Lastly, bus bulbs provide extra sidewalk space for things like bus shelters or benches for waiting passengers. Using passenger data provided by the MTA, we proposed four bus bulbs on Park Avenue, at westbound North Portland, Carlton, Washington, and eastbound Carlton. Stay tuned for more updates and spotlights&

Park Avenue Safety Plan Spotlight: Intersection Treatments

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:37:00 -0400

In a little over a month since the release of the Park Avenue Safety Plan, nearly 600 concerned citizens have already shown their support by signing the petition, in hard copy and online . If you havent signed already, please add your voice. Today we look at one of the core proposals to calm traffic and improve safety on Park Avenue: Intersection Treatments. Most crashes occur at intersections. The intersections on Park Avenue are especially awkward due to the parking area under the elevated BQE. In essence, each intersection has three intersections: eastbound Park Avenue, the parking area, and westbound Park Avenue. Proposals at most intersections include: stop signs at exits of parking areas; raised crosswalk/driveway at entrances/exits to parking areas; curb cuts at pedestrian islands; neckdowns (temporary or permanent); and No Parking markings along the cross street under the BQE. We also propose left-turn lanes at high traffic intersections, as well as fully pedestrianized areas of key crossings. Stay tuned for more updates and spotlights&

Park Avenue Safety Plan Spotlight: Median Parking

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 10:49:00 -0400

Its been almost a month since we released the Park Avenue Safety Plan. Over 500 concerned citizens have already shown their support by signing the petition, in hard copy and online . If you havent signed already, please add your voice. Today we look at one of the innovative (and inexpensive) ideas to calm traffic on Park Avenue: Median Parking. Each side of Park Avenue has three lanes: one for parking, one center travel lane, and a travel lane adjacent to a median. During rush hour, traffic volume is significant. However, during off hours volumes are low. What do you think drivers do with wide open space and green lights? They speed. Allowing median parking during off hours will narrow the roadway and calm traffic. It will also provide parking for residents who use their cars during the day but park overnight. This idea is similar but not identical to what DOT recently did on Hicks Street . Stay tuned for more updates and spotlights&

Park Avenue Safety Plan Spotlight: Superblock Crosswalks

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 10:38:00 -0400

Its been less than three weeks since we released the Park Avenue Safety Plan. Nearly 500 concerned citizens have already shown their support by signing the petition, in hard copy and online. If you havent signed already, please add your voice. Now is a good time to examine one of the many proposals in the plan. Our kickoff event was held on Park Avenue at St. Edwards, which is in the middle of a four-block superblock which runs from Navy Street to North Portland. There are no safe pedestrian crossings in this four-block stretch, even though both sides have dense housing, parks, schools, and churches. We propose traffic signals and crosswalks at St. Edwards and Monument Walk. The crossing at St. Edwards is particularly important. Not only is St. Edwards in the middle of the superblocks, but a crossing there would lead directly from Ingersoll Houses and PS 67 to the entrance of the newly restored section of Commodore Barry Park. Stay tuned for more updates and spotlights in the coming weeks&

Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership Wins "Best Tree Guard" in MillionTreesNYC Contest

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 13:29:00 -0400

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership was awarded "Best Tree Guard" in New York City by MillionTreesNYC. The winning tree guard is located near 438 Myrtle Avenue at Waverly. The custom laser-cut artwork was designed by Natalie Apuzzo, while the ornamental plantings were sponsored by St. Joseph's College. This tree guard is one of 40 custom tree guards installed on Myrtle Avenue under our Street Furniture Design Initiative. The modular frame was designed by the Pratt Design Incubator. Panel art was submitted by local artists. Be on the lookout for new tree guard installations this fall! MillionTreesNYC is a PlaNYC initiative with the Parks Department and New York Resoration Project.

Park Avenue Safety Plan - Release and Kickoff Event

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:47:00 -0400

Thanks to everyone who came out yesterday to support efforts to make Park Avenue safer for pedestrians! We had a great crowd help to mark the release of the Park Avenue Pedestrian Safety Plan, including a class of students from Banneker, community leaders from Ingersoll and Whitman, block captains, Architecture for Humanity NY, Transportation Alternatives, Councilmember James and Assemblymember Lentol, and others representing local elected officials.

Press was there, too, and there's already been some buzz in the blogosphere about the initiative, including this piece on Brownstoner and this one on Streetsblog.

If you haven't yet, please sign the petition, and share it with your neighbors and friends! We'll keep you posted on progress as we share the report with city agencies and decision makers. Stay tuned!

photo: A high school student from Banneker monitors speeding traffic on Park Avenue with a speed gun.

Make Park Avenue Safer for Pedestrians! View the report, tour the site and sign the petition!

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 14:08:00 -0400

There are approximately 12,000 residents living just north or south of Park Avenue between Navy and Steuben, as well as six schools, three parks, numerous retail and light-industrial businesses, and churches. Despite this residential profile, Park Avenue is dominated by four lanes of fast-moving traffic bracketing a 300+ space parking area. Speeding traffic has created environmental, travel and sanitation conditions that are unsafe for the many school children, seniors, bus riders and others residents that use the avenue daily. North-south crossings are difficult throughout the site, people are unable to cross during one traffic light cycle, and there is a high car accident rate (76th percentile!).

MARP collaborated with Architecture for Humanity NY to develop the Park Avenue Pedestrian Safety Plan, a set of proposals to improve pedestrian safety and calm vehicular traffic on Brooklyns Park Avenue between Navy and Steuben Streets, creating a safer neighborhood corridor for residents and visitors. Join us for a brief site tour on Monday, September 10th at 2pm, beginning on Park Avenue at St. Edwards Street to highlight site issues, discuss the proposals, and measure vehicle speeds along with Councilmember Letitia James, State Committee Member Lincoln Restler, Transportation Alternatives, and members of the projects Advisory Committee.

This plan recommends interventions like adding crosswalks along the superblock from Navy to North Portland, where there are no safe, controlled crossings for four blocks an area that includes Commodore Barry Park, Ingersoll Houses, Navy Yard Houses and multiple schools. Many other recommendations are simple, but carefully tailored to remedy each blocks issues, like bumpouts to shorten pedestrian crossings, lighting, signage, and re-timed traffic lights to slow traffic.

Sign the petition!
Weve communicated with various agencies throughout the process, but it is important that we continue to show broad-based support for making these improvements as soon as possible. Sign the online petition at www.ParkAvenueSafetyProject.org to continue to build community support for improving pedestrian safety on Park Avenue, and share the link with your neighbors!

The proposals were developed through information gathered at six public meetings, site surveys, and research, with guidance from Community Board 2 and an Advisory Committee made up of representatives from local block associations, tenants associations, residential developments, community-based organizations, city agencies and other stakeholders. Download the full report here.

New B69 Bus Shelter on Vanderbilt @ Myrtle

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 10:42:00 -0400

NYCDOT is installing a new bus shelter for the southbound B69 on Vanderbilt @ Myrtle! Shelters make traveling by public transit more pleasant for everyone. They provide seating and protection from the elements for waiting passengers. Shelters also add light to the street at night. The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership asked DOT to install a number of bus shelters, including this one. Due to the many cellar doors and other obstructions on Myrtle Avenue itself, most of our requests could not be accepted by DOT.

Vote for our tree bed in MillionTreeNYC's Beautiful Tree Bed Contest

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:24:00 -0400

You've seen the fantastic tree guards along Myrtle Avenue. With the support of St. Joseph's College, we installed a fantastic arrangement of ornamental plants in the tree bed at 438 Myrtle. And we've entered MillionTreeNYC's Beautiful Tree Bed Contest. Please vote (via Facebook) for the entry from Daniel of Brooklyn. Vote Here via Facebook Thank you!

CLASSY Awards: Vote for The Doe Fund!

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:30:00 -0400

For over five years, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn BID has contracted with The Doe Fund for all supplemental sanitation services. The hard work of The Doe Fund's street-cleaning crews is paying off in the form of clean neighborhoods, transformed lives, and now - national recognition. We are thrilled to share that The Doe Fund has been selected as a Regional Finalist for the CLASSY Awards which celebrates the greatest charitable achievements by nonprofit organizations during the past year. Voting ends July 26th and the winners will be selected on July 31st, but they can't be recognized as the best in the entire region without your help. Showing your support is easy: - Go to http://www.stayclassy.org/classy-awards/vote - Click on the East region - Vote for The Doe Fund in the Hunger and Poverty Relief category - Submit your ballot Thank you for your support

Myrtle Avenue in today's NY Daily News!

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:03:00 -0400

Myrtle Avenue is highlighted in today's NY Daily News! The featured 2-page center spread is in the 'Best Places' section of the paper and is titled, 'BID Up.' The title refers to the role of BIDs, or Business Improvement Districts, in neighborhood improvement. Four BID executive directors from around the City are included in the article. Myrtle's includes a photo of our executive director, Blaise Backer along with a brief snapshot of current and future happenings on the Avenue. The three other highlighted BIDs, DUMBO, Flatiron and Jamaica Center are in the same format. The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn BID's boundaries runs for 20 blocks, on Myrtle Avenue between Flatbush Avenue Extension and Classon Avenue.

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Submit a design for a Myrtle Tree Guard Contest!

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

UPDATE: New deadline for submissions to the Myrtle Tree Guard Panel Design contest is Wednesday, March 28th at 5pm!

On Myrtle Avenue, were serious about protecting our street trees. We appreciate them not only for the aesthetic appeal they bring to the commercial strip, but also for the important role they play in filtering the air and providing shady respite from the afternoon sun. We worked with the Pratt Design Incubator to design tree guards for Myrtle that are both functional and durable, but also offer a canvas that reflects local creativity. Thats where you come in!

For the second year in a row, were inviting artists and designers (both amateur and professional) to submit designs for the panels of a new Myrtle Tree Guard. Each selected design will be laser cut into the 4 panels of an individual tree guard or tree guard with bench, to be installed on Myrtle Avenue in summer 2012. We may select up to 25 individual panel designs in total this year. In 2011, we selected 19 designs for 38 tree guards and benches that were installed last August. Check out photos of these unique guards on our flickr page here.

How to submit a design to the contest:
Submit your design concepts via email to meredith@myrtleavenue.org by Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 5pm along with a document (PDF) containing your contact information (name, address, telephone, email), brief description of your design (no more than 200 words), and small image of your design.

Design Guidelines
Please read the following closely, as we will not be able to accept submissions that do not meet these guidelines.
1. If possible, please use the Adobe Illustrator template when creating your design.
You can also submit a high resolution jpeg (please follow dimensions listed below). 2. Permissible design area is 11" vertical x 37" horizontal. Full size of artboard is 14" x 40" which includes a 1.5" border on all four sides. No design elements can be in this border area.
3. All design shapes are considered 'holes'. There can be no 'holes' that measure larger than 4 square inches, or longer than 12". No 'holes' can be smaller than 1/4".
4. Solid areas must measure at least 1/2" wide. Thin pieces cannot be longer than 10" as they are prone to warping and breaking.
5. Designs should not have unsupported solid elements (floating pieces).
6. For safety reasons, designs should avoid sharp points and corners. Corners should be rounded wherever possible. 7. Designs cannot include trademarked logos or images, and cannot contain words.
8. Each panel will be repeated four times on the tree guard. It is not possible to design four separate panels for one unit.

By submitting a design, entrants are authorizing the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership to incorporate the submitted design into street furniture for fabrication, and are allowing the Partnership to utilize the design in online and printed materials related to the project. Authors of selected designs will not be compensated, but will be credited on our website and on tree guard signage (not on benches, as they do not have signage).
Photo: Panel design by Genevieve Saucier

Bike Share Workshops: Thursday 6pm and 7pm

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:57:00 -0400

Please join Brooklyn Community Board 2, and local residents and business owners at a roundtable planning workshop to help decide how bike share should work and where stations should go in Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Boerum Hill, Fort Greene, Brooklyn Heights and Clinton Hill. In partnership with Community Board 2, NYC Council Members Letitia James and Stephen Levin, and NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery. Thursday, February 23, 2012 Sessions will begin at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. St. Francis College - Callahan Center 180 Remsen St. (bet. Court & Clinton Sts.) Brooklyn More Info: New York City Bike Share Timeline

Buzzcar to Launch in Brooklyn

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:38:00 -0400

The founder of Zipcar is launching Buzzcar, an innovative vehicle-sharing service, right here in Brooklyn. Basically, local car owners rent their cars to local drivers, with Buzzcar taking care of insurance and technology. Unlike Zipcar, Buzcar doesn't own the vehicles. You do. The idea is to spread the environmental, social, personal and financial benefits of carsharing farther, wider, faster. Car owners get 60-65% of the revenue (Buzzcar takes 15%; insurance gets the difference). That could be as much as $1500 per neighbor that chooses to drive your car regularly. There's more diversity for renters: more kinds of cars, sometimes closer, with things like car seats! & bike racks! Sometime in February, Buzzcar will launch in Brooklyn. (They've been in France for 6 months now.) Signup and spread the word.

Minor B54 Changes

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:50:00 -0400

Last week, the MTA removed two B54 stops and moved a third stop. These changes were made to improve service be creating three-block spacing between stops. Both the eastbound and westbound B54 stops at Kent Avenue were removed. There are existing stops one block away at Franklin Avenue. The westbound stop at Emerson Place was moved one block east to Classon Avenue.

Myrtle Avenue Welcomes New Public Recycling Bins

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:57:00 -0400

Public recycling bins now stand at four busy intersections on Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. The following locations have a bin for paper and a bin for bottles and cans: Ashland and Myrtle (Southwest corner), Adelphi and Myrtle (Northeast corner), Clinton and Myrtle (Southeast corner), Hall and Myrtle (Southeast corner). Each pair is adjacent to a regular trash bin, so pedestrians will have the ability to properly dispose of all items. Recycling bins and clear liners are provided by the New York City Department of Sanitation through their Public Space Recycling Program. On Tuesdays, The Doe Fund will move bags of recyclables to the curb and Sanitation will remove them overnight. However, if a recycling bin becomes full before the pick-up day, The Doe Fund will transport the full bag to the Red Apple Supermarket on Myrtle Avenue and Ashland Place to store until collection. We will evaluate public space recycling on Myrtle over the next year, and depending on the publics response, may expand to more locations in the future. Please help keep Myrtle clean!

Many Ideas for Improving Park Avenue Safety

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:40:00 -0400

Over 50 people were in attendance at last night's Park Avenue Safety Workshop. Everyone had a lot to say about which blocks and which intersections on Park Avenue along the BQE were the least safe, and even more to say about how the city could make improvements. Attendees split into 5 different groups, representing 5 different geographic areas of Park Avenue from west to east, so participants were able to discuss the very specific issues and challenges affecting each block and how to make them safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

The goal of this workshop was to identify, prioritize, and locate specific enhancements that will improve pedestrian safety and calm vehicular traffic on Park Avenue between Navy Street and Steuben Street. Given the number of students that are crossing Park to and from school, and the number of residents that are living on Park or adjacent to it, improving safety needs to be prioritized by city agencies.

This workshop was the first step in creating a community-based plan that can be used to advocate for important changes, both short-term and long-term. A special thanks to Architecture for Humanity New York for putting in countless hours to prepare for and facilitate the workshop, and to now help pull together everyone's ideas into the makings of a draft plan.

Stay tuned for the scheduling of additional meetings where these preliminary findings and ideas will be presented.

Help improve pedestrian safety on Park Avenue! TODAY

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:05:00 -0400

Have you ever tried to cross Park Avenue in Fort Greene or Clinton Hill? If so, you may have walked for blocks to find a safe crossing, or maybe you just decided to dodge speeding traffic. We're sure you've though to yourself, 'shouldn't this street be safer for pedestrians?' Well, we agree. It should be safer!

We've held three previous workshops about the area under and around the elevated BQE in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, and safety was the primary concern at each of them. Have something to share about safety on Park Avenue? Join your neighbors at this workshop!

Park Avenue Pedestrian Safety Workshop Thursday, November 3rd 6-8:30pm Benjamin Banneker Academy (71-77 Clinton Avenue @ Park)

The goal of this workshop is to identify, prioritize, and locate specific enhancements that will improve pedestrian safety and calm vehicular traffic on Park Avenue between Navy Street and Steuben Street. Given the number of students that are crossing Park to and from school, and the number of residents that are living on Park or adjacent to it, we feel that improving safety should be prioritized by city agencies. This workshop is the first step in creating a community-based plan that we can use to advocate for important changes, both short-term and long-term. Architecture for Humanity will be assisting with workshop facilitation and development of the plan.

Hope you can make it! Email dan@myrtleavenue.org or call 718-230-1689 if you have any questions. Download the workshop flyer here.

Help Adopt a Myrtle Bench or Tree Guard

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:58:00 -0400

After just one week, three Myrtle tree guards and one Myrtle bench are fully adopted! Thank you to our generous neighbors, whose donations will be recognized via bench plaques and tree guard signage. Adopt-A-Bench and Adopt-A-TreeGuard funds will go toward 5 years of caring for Myrtle's new street furniture and street trees.

And now we've launched an opportunity for small donors to contribute toward keeping Myrtle green via HelpersUnite, a recently-launched crowd-giving community where you can raise funds for creative and cause-based projects, and sell tickets to your special events, all in one place. You can contribute as little or as much as you want, to help MARP reach its goal of getting all 20 benches and all 20 tree guards adopted.

Visit MARP's HelpersUnite project page to join the effort!

As many of you have seen by now, twenty custom-designed tree guards and twenty tree guard benches were installed on Myrtle Avenue between Washington Park and Classon Avenue. The overall design of the guards and benches is the result of a collaborative process with the Pratt Design Incubator and the local artists who submitted winning designs for the individual, laser-cut panels. Funding for the design phase, which began in 2007, and the first phase of installation came from the NY State Division of Housing & Community Renewal, the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, NY State Council for the Arts, the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, and the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership Business Improvement District.

Myrtle's new tree guards are both functional and durable, providing opportunities to sit for the avenue's pedestrians, and also serve as Myrtles latest public art project, offering a 'canvas' that reflects Fort Greene and Clinton Hills creative spirit. The panels for each tree guard were designed by local artists, who were selected through an open call for proposals in 2010. Designs range from graphic patterns to skylines to maps, and some even reference the former Myrtle Avenue elevated train. The guards will serve as protection for the avenues street trees, while providing much-needed intermittent seating for pedestrians and those waiting for the B54 bus. Street trees not only bring an aesthetic appeal to the commercial strip, but also play an important role in filtering the air and providing shady respite from the afternoon sun.

Through a program similar to the NYC Parks Departments adopt-a-bench initiative, we are seeking sponsors to support our greening efforts and to fund street furniture maintenance. Each adoption commitment is for 5 years, and costs $2,500 for a tree guard bench and $1,500 for a tree guard (without a bench). Sponsors will be acknowledged on bench plaques or guard signage, as well as on www.myrtleavenue.org. Resources raised through this program will provide supplemental maintenance funding for the street furniture, the tree bed, and the tree itself, including: replacement of damaged bench planks, painting of panels and posts, tree bed weeding and mulching, tree fertilizer, pruning, special tree care, as needed, and tree bed plantings.

A full project history of the Myrtle Street Furniture Design Initiative can be found here.

Adopt-A-Bench & Adopt-A-TreeGuard program details and forms can be found here.

BID Annual Meeting w/Speaker Christine Quinn this Tuesday at SoCo

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:08:00 -0400

There are still a few spots available for guests to join us at the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership BID Annual Meeting, with guest speaker NY City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. The meeting is on Tuesday, September 27th, from 5-7pm at SoCo, 509 Myrtle Avenue. Drinks and light appetizers will be served. The meeting is open to the public, but RSVP is required.

RSVP at www.surveymonkey.com/s/MyrtleBIDAnnualMeeting2011.

Tree Guard Sponsorship Kick-off and Artist Reception > 10/3 @ Putnam's!

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:39:00 -0400

The installation of the first phase of street furniture is complete! Next week we will add the signage decals to the tree guards, and soon we will add soil and mulch to the pits to complete this phase of the project. The guards and benches have received a fantastic response from Myrtle merchants and residents, which is exactly what we had hoped for.

Some in-progress photos can be seen on our Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/myrtleavenue/sets/72157627378621281/

Please join us to celebrate on Monday, October 3rd at Putnams Pub & Cooker (Myrtle & Clinton) at 6pm. Interested in 'adopting' a bench or tree guard? We'll also be kicking-off our tree guard sponsorship program that night too in order to help us maintain the tree guards and benches for the next 5 years. RSVP to get two free drink tickets, to Meredith@myrtleavenue.org before September 28th. Hope to see you there!

Tree guard installation - follow on Flickr!

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:23:00 -0400

We're a little more than half way done with installations of new tree guards and tree guard benches on the avenue. Check out progress here on our Flickr site! The panel art pictured here, "Elevation", was created by Genevieve Saucier.

Have you checked out the new tree guards yet?

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:18:00 -0400

Two new tree guards and two tree guards with benches arrived today on Myrtle between Hall and Washington. This one with panel art by James Petras. Stay tuned for more updates...

New on the avenue: tree guards + public art + a place for you to sit!

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:15:00 -0400

By the end of this month, 20 new tree guards and 20 new tree guard benches will dot the avenues block faces between Washington Park and Classon Avenue! The overall design of the tree guards is the result of a collaborative process that began in 2007 with the Pratt Design Incubator, which included a community workshop, field interviews and analysis by Pratt industrial design students, and a series of soft and hard prototypes. No sir, these are not your everyday-run-of-the-mill tree guards. The tree guards were created with a modular design that allows for customization the panels on each of the guards were designed by local artists! We sent out an open call for panel designs last year, and selected 19 artists from the submissions to participate (see all the designs above!). Designs range from doilies to graphic patterns to skylines to maps, and some even reference the former Myrtle Avenue elevated train.

Hopefully youve already spied the prototype tree guard and prototype tree guard bench on the avenue. We installed these prototypes to fine-tune the designs, and to check out how people responded to them. Every day, we see dozens of B54 passengers at Myrtle and Washington enjoying the prototype bench while they wait for the bus. Thats exactly what wed hoped for!

Were serious about protecting our trees, but we saw this street furniture project as an opportunity for public art, too. Myrtles new tree guards are both functional and durable, and also offer a canvas that reflects Fort Greene and Clinton Hills creative spirit. With over 200 trees in the Partnerships Business Improvement District boundaries (were proud to claim responsibility for having over a quarter of those planted on the avenue, btw), were not able to provide guards for all of them in this round. Were continuing to fundraise, and hope to release another open call for panel art early next year, and install additional guards in summer 2012.

Later this fall, we plan present opportunities to support the avenues greening efforts by sponsoring benches, through a program similar to the NYC Parks Departments adopt-a-bench initiative. Stay tuned for more information on this, for details on a celebration/reception in the fall, and photo-updates throughout the installation process! Have questions? Contact meredith@myrtleavenue.org.

Thanks to: New York Main Street Program, the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership Business Improvement District for supporting this project.

The Mechanical Mound

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:59:00 -0400

Counted about three whole bikes, 20 wheels and several bike parts in this mechanical mound on Myrtle at Clinton. It's never less, and is sometimes more. Constantly reconfiguring over the course of many months. We've several calls in--and are hoping to see this mound disappear soon. Will keep you posted. In the meantime, if you want to check the status of your '311' complaint about the heap, click here.

Myrtle's Public Plaza Gets Constructive Community Comments

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:34:00 -0400

Thanks so much to all of you who braved the nasty weather last night to attend the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza Community Workshop, held on February 1st at Benjamin Banneker Academy. The meeting, facilitated by AECOM, the Citys selected engineering and landscape design firm, and sponsored by DOT and DDC, was the final meeting where community members could review and provide feedback on the progress of AECOMs working designs for the reconstruction of Myrtle Avenue between Hall Street and Emerson Place.

For those of you who werent able to make it, the designs that were presented are available in PDF format (You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader, and will probably need to zoom in quite a bit. Please email us any feedback you might have and we'll forward it along to the landscape designers). The structure of the meeting was similar to AECOMs meeting in October 2010. AECOM first introduced Matthew Geller, the public artist selected for the site, and then presented their current design concept for the reconstruction, including the updated street geometry, programming diagram, materials palette for the street furniture, storm water capture concepts, and conceptual plans for the plaza's layout. The audience asked questions about everything from lighting and security and the placement of bike racks to the specific engineering for storm water plans and species of trees.

After the presentation, the 42 attendees broke into smaller groups led by AECOM team-members to mark up and draw on aerial view layouts of the street and plaza, to give specific feedback on the design and amenities of the plaza, and to make recommendations for the design team moving forward. Each group seemed to have different priorities, but a couple of often overheard comments included: moving the eastbound bus stop one block to the west, adding more street lighting throughout the area, adding more bike racks, and ensuring that the plaza didn't try to be all things to all people. Overall, community members asked many thoughtful questions and gave the design team valuable feedback to incorporate into their designs before presenting to the Community Board's Transportation Committee on Tuesday, February 15th. If you werent able to make it last night, but have pressing opinions that you want to share, it isnt too late! Please submit comments to Sarah by email sarah@myrtleavenue.org and we will be sure to pass your ideas along to the design team.

In a separate issue from the design, we also received questions and comments related to MARP/(BID)s involvement. Though MARP helped to promote last nights meeting via flyers, posters, emails blasts, and was at the meeting to welcome attendees, the meeting was facilitated by AECOM, and paid for by DOT and DDC. At this point, MARP/BID will be the ultimately maintenance partner of the plaza after it is built, so we will continue to provide a lot of input, but all local stakeholder input is just as important. The redesign and reconstruction of Myrtle Avenue between Hall and Emerson has been a long-time planning goal that originated from community meetings facilitated by MARP, and has finally been made possible through years of community outreach, fundraising, and the NYCDOT Plaza Program. As a refresher, here is a project timeline:

October December 2005
Working with Pratt Institute urban planning professors and students, MARP held a workshop open to all local stakeholders that sought to gather public perceptions of all public space on Myrtle Avenue and suggestions for improvements. With workshop findings, MARP laid out a multi-year path for both short- and long-term improvements, and formed a strategy for pursuing larger public space and streetscape improvement initiatives.

May 2006 June 2007: Planning for Public Space Improvements at Four Sites
Working with Project for Public Spaces, MARP held two public planning workshops, one each in the fall of 2006 and spring 2007, to solicit more concrete ideas for improving four specific areas along the avenue (which came from the 2005 meeting), and produced four bound documents with recommendations and conceptual plans for each site. See here for more details.

June 2007 September 2008: Assembled Capital Money for Hall to Emerson Streetscape & Pedestrian Plaza
Prior to the existence of the NYC Plaza Program, MARP raised about $3.5 million toward implementing pedestrian improvements between Hall and Emerson: About $2 million was raised in cooperation with NYC Department of City Planning from Federal CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality) funds; $1 million in capital funds were allocated from Council Member Tish James; and $500,000 in capital funds were allocated from Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

September 2008: NYC Plaza Program Award and Presentation to Community Board 2
Via a competitive application process, MARP was awarded participation in the first round of the DOTs NYC Plaza Program, and DOT presented the proposed street geometry for pedestrian and safety improvements for the four blocks of Myrtle Avenue between Hall Street and Emerson Place to Brooklyn Community Board 2s Transportation Committee. The transportation committee voted 8 to 0 in favor of the proposed changes.

June 2009: NYSCA Funding Award to Support Best Practices Research
MARP received some operating support from NYSCA to complete some internal research into best practices of pedestrian plaza design, and to solicit some design ideas from the public while DOT was issuing its landscape design RFP.

August November 2009: Release of Call for Ideas
To ensure that MARP staff was well-informed about creative design concepts, best practices, and the community's priorities for the plaza, we held a call for ideas, asking professional designers and amateurs alike to contribute design concepts for the Myrtle Plaza or submit compelling photos of features from existing public spaces that might serve to influence the design of Myrtle's space.

February 2010: Designing the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza Mini-Exhibition
MARP displayed submissions to the Call for Ideas, photos and research of public space best practices, and a large scale map of the proposed street geometry in order to collect some community feedback. About 80 community members visited to share recommendations for the programming and activities, amenities, greening, and aesthetics of the space.

October 2010: AECOM's First Community Workshop for the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza
Using MARPs community feedback and preliminary research on the future plaza site, AECOM, the DOT-selected engineering and landscape design firm, held a meeting to gather feedback from the community for the layout, programming, design and amenities of the Pedestrian Plaza. There are 60 attendees, whose feedback AECOM gathers to inform their design.

If you have still have any unanswered questions, please feel free to call Sarah. And again, for those of you who werent able to attend, the designs that were presented are available in PDF format, and additional comments can be submitted to Sarah at sarah@myrtleavenue.org for submission to the designers.

Come Review Design Concepts for the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 12:38:00 -0400

Put it on your calendar! The second community workshop for the reconstruction of Myrtle Avenue between Hall and Emerson, including the 2-block-long pedestrian plaza, has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 1st, From 5:30 7:30, at Benjamin Banneker Academy (77 Clinton Avenue between Myrtle & Park Avenues) in the cafeteria.

At the meeting, the City's selected engineering and landscape design firm, AECOM, will be presenting their design concepts for the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza. This is the second community meeting for the plaza. Last October, AECOM held a workshop to gather ideas and feedback from the community on what type of programming, landscaping, and amenities we would like to see take shape at the future plaza. Come Tuesday the 1st, to review their designs and give your input! This will also be a chance for you to meet and speak with Matthew Geller, the artist selected to develop public art as part of the plaza.

Everyone is welcome, but registration is required so we can get a headcount. Please RSVP to Sarah Farwell at sarah@myrtleavenue.org or 718-230-1689.

Community ideas for BQE spaces

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 16:04:00 -0400

We had a great turnout last night at PS 67, with over 50 residents, community leaders and stakeholders coming together to talk about the spaces under the BQE. Through a series of activities and discussions led by Pratt Urban Planning students, attendees talked about maintaining free and convenient parking for residents, traffic and pedestrian safety concerns, ideas for greening and much more. The Pratt students are compiling ideas from this and past community workshops along with site research and will present findings to MARP and the community at the end of the semester. Stay tuned for more info on upcoming workshops and events about the BQE! If you'd like to be added to the BQE mailing list, send your contact info to info@myrtleavenue.org.

Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza Moves Forward

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:00:00 -0400

Thanks so much to all of you who attended the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza Charrette this past Wednesday (10/13). The workshop, facilitated by AECOM, the Citys selected engineering and landscape design firm, was well attended and very successful in gathering ideas for the programming and design of the plaza.
After AECOM presented information about the plaza site and surrounding area, community members gathered in small groups to talk about the proposed plaza layout and brainstorm potential design features and activities for the space. The room was abuzz as groups discussed everything from bus stop placement to public art. As a close to the workshop, groups reported back to all attendees, posting their unique ideas for all to review and prioritizing the ideas they most wanted to see in the plaza. The design team took notes and will move forward with this information to guide their design, creating a plan for the plaza that is representative of the communitys feedback.
Do you have ideas about the plaza, but werent able to attend this weeks meeting? Dont worry! There will be another opportunity for you to meet with AECOM to share your thoughts on the plaza. You can also contact Sarah by email sarah@myrtleavenue.org or phone 718-230-1689 any time to share your ideas for what type of programming, landscaping, and amenities you would like to see take shape at the future plaza.

Your Ideas for the Myrtle Pedestrian Plaza: Workshop Scheduled for Oct 13

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 16:21:00 -0400

The design phase for the reconstruction of Myrtle Avenue between Hall and Emerson, including the 2-block-long pedestrian plaza, has officially begun, and the City's selected engineering and landscape design firm, AECOM, will be facilitating a public workshop on Wednesday, October 13th, from 5:30-7:30pm, at Benjamin Banneker Academy (77 Clinton Avenue between Myrtle & Park Avenues) in the cafeteria. Please join us to share your ideas for what type of programming, landscaping, and amenities you would like to see take shape at the future plaza.

Everyone is welcome, but registration is required so we can get a headcount.

RSVP here.
If you have trouble registering online, please RSVP to Sarah Farwell at 718-230-1689.

DEADLINE EXTENDED! Seeking designs for Myrtle Avenue tree guards!

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:47:00 -0400

UPDATE: We've extended the deadline to August 30th at 5pm. If you haven't already submitted a design, you still have time!

On Myrtle Avenue, were serious about protecting our street trees...but, why do it like everyone else does it, right? Weve been working with the Pratt Design Incubator to design tree guards that are both functional and durable, but also offer a canvas that reflects the spirit of local creativity. Tree guards with a Myrtle twist.

Thats where you come in.

Were inviting artists and designers (both amateur and professional!) to submit designs for the panels of a new Myrtle Tree Guard. Each winning design will be laser cut into the 4 panels of an individual tree guard (visit the prototype, pictured above, on Myrtle between Clinton and Waverly). We may select up to 20 unique designs for 20 new tree guards to be installed this fall on Myrtle!

Download the full application here.
Submit your design using this Adobe Illustrator template. Dont worry if you dont have illustrator contact us if youd still like to submit a concept. Well have a professional designer convert your design to the appropriate file format if selected.

Make sure to submit your design concepts by Monday, August 30th at 5pm (new deadline). Contact meredith@myrtlavenue.org if you have any questions.

Summer Street Trees

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:15:00 -0400

The current feels like on weather.com for New York City is 107 degrees! There is nothing like heat advisories and air quality alerts to make you appreciate the local street trees hard at work reducing heat and pollution. A couple of tree facts on this sweltering summer day:

" Trees can be a natural air conditioner. The evaporation from a single large tree can produce the cooling effect of 10 room size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day. (USDA pamphlet # FS-363)
" Trees clean the air. Remove dust, particulates; absorb ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and other pollutants. (ISA Pamphlet, 1991)

Trees provide enormous environmental, human health and social benefits from lowing blood pressure and street crime to increasing property values and sales in local stores (you can find more facts at TreeLink.org, Plant-it 2020, and Walkable Communities). Thats why the Partnership works year-round to advocate for more trees in the area and to keep our street trees alive and healthy!

Last week, Greenzone Landscape Design cleaned, aerated, weeded, and mulched the tree pits along Myrtle and on corners of intersecting streets between Classon and Vanderbilt. And this week, theyll begin the second phase of the project, continuing their work from Vanderbilt to Prince Street. You also may have noticed that young trees along Myrtle are outfitted with tree gators. These gators, filled once a week, deliver a deep watering by slowly releasing water into the trees roots and soil.

Spring Cleaning on Myrtle

Fri, 21 May 2010 15:58:00 -0400

Were sprucing up the avenue with a few new additions and a little spring cleaning. Next time youre out, check out our work.

On the ground:
The Doe Fund (who you usually see working to keep Myrtle litter and graffiti free) came with their paint brushes - from street lights to fire hydrants- our street furniture got a new coat of paint to keep Myrtle looking fresh.

Five of the newly designed bike racks were installed on the avenue. You can find them between Vanderbilt and Clinton, Hall and Washington and at Myrtle and Classon. Next time you are locking up, try one out! Also, you can help us to free up some additional bicycle parking by taking your rusty, scrappy and abandoned bikes home!

Up above:
New, larger street signs were installed by DOT on Myrtle Avenue and all of its intersecting streets, and this week a crew came back to straighten and perfect their placement. What do you think of Myrtle's new signage?

The BID hired Urban Arborists to climb our trees to prune away deadwood, correct safety issues, remove plastic bags, and generally clean up the appearance of Myrtle's street trees. Help us keep our street trees healthy and looking good by keeping your garbage and cigarette butts out of the tree beds! We have some mulching and annual tree pit and soil care happening in a few weeks, so things will be looking even better very soon.

Final Weekend - Designing the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza Exhibition

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:28:00 -0400

This is the final weekend of the Designing the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza Mini-Exhibition and Pop-up Workshop. Please stop by 352 Myrtle this Saturday, between 12 5pm to view the submissions to the Call for Ideas and best practices complied by the Partnership staff, and to participate in the creation of a vibrant neighborhood public space on Myrtle.

Last weekend, during reception and gallery hours, many community members came out to review and discuss plaza designs collected through our Call for Ideas and our public space best practices. Formatted so that you can respond directly to the proposed plaza designs or use a map of the future plaza site to voice your feedback, the workshop allows you to share your recommendations for the programming and activities, amenities, greening, and aesthetics of the space and see what your neighbors are suggesting.

After the workshop, the Partnership will be sitting down to look at common requests and recommendations, compiling a list of feedback themes and frequently mentioned programs, amenities, etc. Together with the Call for Ideas submissions and best practices, the results of the workshop will be used in our first meetings with the NYC DOT selected design team, taking place in the upcoming months.

The Call for Ideas, released in August of 2009, was intended to gather plaza concepts from professional and amateur designers that would serve as a conversation starter and inform the design process. Though the official call was closed in November of 2009, the Partnership is accepting design proposals on an ongoing basis to be shared for community review online and added to our Design Book, if you are interested in contributing, you can find more information here.

In case you missed the reception, you can view pictures of the event (and see workshop attendees in action) online; the eight designs on display can be seen on our Flickr site as well. We encourage everyone to stop by 352 Myrtle this Saturday, between 12-5pm and if you cant make it, please leave your comments on our Flickr, the projects facebook page or email them to sarah@myrtleavenue.org.

New Tree Guards for Myrtle - A Preview

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:09:00 -0400

Maybe you noticed a new addition to the tree pit on Myrtle between Waverly and Clinton, just between Karens Body Beautiful and Owas African Market a stylized, unique tree guard! This prototype is the result of a street furniture design process that began in 2007 with the Pratt Design Incubator. Were in the hard prototype stage with this piece, which means what you see here is very close to the final design, but were still making small tweaks here and there.

Were hoping to install up to 25 new tree guards along Myrtle this year, with more to come in future years. Initially, well prioritize younger trees, given that they are especially fragile during their first few years and face perils like errant motor vehicles and heavy bike chains.

This is not your ordinary, average cookie-cutter tree guard! Form and function marry here with an opportunity for artists and aspiring graphic designers to submit ideas for panel designs. Check out the panels in this photo well have the opportunity to laser cut unique patterns into panels, and no two tree guards will be exactly alike! The small sign post on the front of the tree guard will credit the person who submitted the idea, as well as offer information on the tree species in that particular pit. Stay tuned for more information on this, and an open call for ideas later in the spring!

Designing the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza Mini-Exhibition and Pop Up Workshop

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:35:00 -0400

Clear your calendars! You are invited to the Designing the Myrtle Pedestrian Plaza Pop Up Exhibition and Workshop from February 5th 13th.

We are happy to announce that a property owner of 352 Myrtle has given us access to their vacant commercial storefront where we will be hosting a brief pop-up exhibition and workshop displaying submissions to the Designing the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza Call for Ideas, along with best practices collected by our staff.

In response to our Call for Ideas , we received many submissions from local and international designers. The entries were diverse and creative, featuring permanent canopy structures, amphitheaters, climbing walls, outdoor markets and more.

Along with the renderings and images, we will have maps and plaza plans where attendees can contribute their ideas for the design, programming and management of the space. Come checkout the submissions, give your feedback and chat with MARP staff about a new, vibrant and inclusive public space for Myrtle Avenue.

Location: 352 Myrtle between Carlton and Adelphi
Friday, February 5th, 5pm 8pm: Opening Reception*. Light refreshments will be served.
Saturday, February 6th and 13th, 12pm 5pm: Open gallery hours.
Monday-Friday, February 7th-12th, 10am-5pm: Group tours and workshops available by appointment*.

Work by the following designers will be on display: Aaron Follet, Christopher Peli, Rodriguez Studio, Edit Leventon, Jaime Roberts Studio, Jonathan Joseph, Gregór Nemitz-Ziadie, Lee Norsworthy, Juliana Schafer and Raza Ali Dada.

*Please RSVP to Sarah@myrtleavenue.org OR at the facebook event page!

Percent for Art: Opportunity on Myrtle Avenue!

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:50:00 -0400

By now we hope you've heard about the upcoming pedestrian plaza on Myrtle between Emerson and Grand. Our plaza, along with five other plazas that will be created by the PlaNYC-initiated NYC Plaza Program, is eligible for funding through the city's Percent for Art program for commissioning permanent works of public art. Each plaza has $100,000 allocated for permanent public art to be incorporated into the public space. The Department of Cultural Affairs has released a Request for Qualifications, which is open to all artists and collaborative artist teams, based locally, nationally, and internationally. Make sure you register by February 22nd if you're interested!

Designing the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza FAQ and Resources

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:07:00 -0400

The deadline for the Designing the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza Call for Ideas is just around the corner. Its not too late to break out the sketch book and jot down some ideas! So far, weve received several inquiries and even a couple of early bird proposals. If you are just getting started on your submission or are putting the finishing touches on your designs, check out the frequently asked questions from the last weeks and a few links that may be helpful in completing your project.

Questions:
1. Can people outside of the neighborhood / NYC area / USA participate in the Call for Ideas? Yes. We welcome Fort Greene/Clinton Hill locals and internationals in the imagining and improvement of public spaces in our community. We are requesting original designs and best practices, so if you are an international participant, feel free to share examples of great public spaces from your community as well as any design work.
2. What is the entry fee? Entry is free, just email or drop-off documents by November 16th and youre in!
3. What is the award? Designing the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza is structured as a call for ideas, not a competition. Though there is not a formal award, the contributed designs will be reviewed by the Partnerships staff of professional planners, the Plaza Design Advisory Committee and will be put on display online and locally to gather feedback from the community.
4. What are the geographic boundaries for intervention? The plaza will be situated on the service road adjacent to Myrtle Avenue (south side), between Grand and Emerson. Designs should address, at a minimum, this area. Designers, however, may incorporate streetscapes and intersections immediately connected to the plaza site or introduce design elements that can be installed or incorporated elsewhere on the avenue.

Resources:
1. Maps and Street views - for the number of contributors designing remotely, we encourage taking a moment to explore the larger neighborhood context via Google Maps .
2. Images - for updated images of the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza site and images of pedestrians enjoying the future plaza space this September, check our Flickr .
3. Facebook - a Facebook group was created where participants and community members can share relevant links, best practices, site images and ideas. As the call for ideas and plaza design progresses, we will share updates via Facebook. You can join the Designing the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza Group here and/or become our fan here .

As always, if you have any questions about the neighborhood, the structure of the Call for Ideas or would like to request the CAD file of the Street Geometry, you can email sarah@myrtleavenue.org or call 718-230-1689.

Call for Ideas Deadline Extended to November 16th

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:19:00 -0400

Good news! You've still got time to pull out the sketch pad, the camera, the laptop, and whatever other tools you like, to submit initial design ideas for the planned Myrtle Avenue pedestrian plaza between Grand and Emerson. Now that the location and geometry of the plaza are more or less set, it is time to focus on the actual features, amenities and landscaping that the community would like to see there.

In the coming months, NYC DOT will assign a professional design team that will work us and the community during an approximately year-long design phase. In the meantime, we are issuing a Call For Ideas (PDF document, about 1.5 MB) to ensure that we have as many creative concepts and best practices at our disposal during the very first meetings with the design team, allowing us to have a better sense of the community's priorities for the plaza. Submissions are due by November 16th, with the full details and instructions explained in the Call for Ideas PDF document. Photos can also be uploaded and shared via our Plaza Design Group if you become a fan on Facebook.

We want to be sure that this new plaza results in a truly well-designed and well-loved public space for the neighborhood. We are asking professional designers and amateurs alike to contribute original design concepts for the Myrtle Plaza, or to submit compelling photos of features from existing public spaces that you particularly like. The Call for Ideas aims to involve the community in the creation of a great public space on Myrtle Avenue, generating design and programming concepts that are progressive and sustainable and that support a variety of user groups and activities while capturing the energy, diversity and dynamic character of our neighborhood.

All entries will be compiled and reviewed by urban planners on the Partnership staff, as well as by the Myrtle Avenue Plaza Advisory Committee, made up of local stakeholders. A selection of the submissions will be posted on our website.

The Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza is the result of a multi-year community planning process that began in the fall of 2005, where improving the avenue's public spaces became a major emphasis as individuals expressed their desire to have public spaces to sit, eat, relax, people-watch, and to otherwise create a better sense of place. This year, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership was awarded participation in the first round of the NYC Plaza Program for our proposal for a plaza between Grand Avenue and Emerson Place on two blocks of the existing service road.

The design and development of the Plaza will be made possible by funds committed by NYC DOT, City Council Member Leticia James, Borough President Marty Markowitz, the US Department of Transportation's CMAQ program, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership BID.

If you have any questions regarding the Call for Ideas, or would like CAD files of the street geometry, please contact sarah@myrtleavenue.org

Park(ing) Day Tomorrow - that means TWO temporary parks for Myrtle Ave!

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:36:00 -0400

Tomorrow is Park(ing)Day and this year, Myrtle will be celebrating with not one, but TWO temporary public spaces for the Avenue. In case you aren't familiar, Park(ing) Day NYC is an international event that reclaims and reimagines parking spots as mini-parks, engaging public spaces and, as Transporation Alternatives describes, breaths of relief from the auto-clogged reality of New York City that spark dialogue about our valuable public space and how we choose to use it. This will be the third year that the Partnership will participate - you can check out pictures from previous years above and find more on our Flickr. Come out, see the action, enjoy the activities and added green space in the neighborhood and participate in an international car detox and public space appreciation day! Myrtle Parks:

Littlejohn Park
Isaac Littlejohn Eddy , NY Times Local blog cartoon-journalist, will join forces with the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and move his Fort Greene studio onto the street. At LITTLEJOHN PARK Isaac will be interviewing, illustrating, and animating passersby all day to showcase what it means to be a citizen journalist and a non-fiction cartoonist.
There will be an area with paper and markers at LITTLEJOHN PARK for people to sit, people-watch, and try out a little non-fiction cartooning themselves and a gallery of the work produced throughout the day. Stop by to learn more about non-ficiton cartooning, check out the gallery (updated throughout the day), imagine city life with more open space and relax outside Kiini Ibura and Tres Elegante!
Where: Between Clermont and Vanderbilt
When: 9:00 4:30
Gnarly Vines Park-
Participating for their first year, Gnarly Vines, featuring Kosher Wine & Bike Repairs:an Unorthodox Pairing for Park(ing) Day. Bring your bike and taste some kosher wine! Bike mechanics from Lit Fuse Cyclery (our new neighbors on Willoughby & Walworth) will be hanging out in our Park(ing) spot from 1-4pm to provide a free diagnosis, quick adjustments, tune your wheels and even fix your flat (while supplies last)!
Where: 350 MYRTLE AVE between Carlton & Adelphi
When: 1 - 4

Call for Ideas Deadline Extended

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:39:00 -0400

Call for Ideas EXTENDED!
There is still time to complete your design or compile examples of best practices for the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza. After receiving requests to extend the deadline for the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza, we have decided to push it back to September 23rd. You can review the originalblog post, the Call For Ideas and the Facebook group for more information.

Greenest Block in Brooklyn Awards

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:01:00 -0400

The Brooklyn Botanical Garden's Greenbridge program announced the winners for the Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest and guess who got an award?!

If you guessed Myrtle Avenue, you're right. This year Myrtle Avenue between Waverly & Clinton tied for 2nd Place in the BEST STREET TREE BED Category! Pictured above is the exemplary tree bed outside of Karen's Body Beautiful (on the awarded block). Congratulations Myrtle and thanks to all of the merchants and residents who provide care for our tree beds! You can check-out the other winners here.

And, speaking of awards, we would like to give our own 'MABP Signage Award' to Root, Stock and Quade. They made this cute sign for the tree outside of their store to discourage animal waste (in case you didn't know, not only is letting your pet use the restroom in the tree beds unhygienic, it kills trees!). Congrats to Root, Stock and Quade!

For the rest of you, there are plenty of our unofficial MARP awards to go around.

See Your Temporary Public Art Installed on Myrtle Avenue

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:03:00 -0400

With the overwhelmingly positive response to the four Tree Hugger Project sculptures that took up residence on the avenue for the past 11 months (and who have now moved on to Pratts Sculpture Garden in case you want to pay them a visit), we are anxious to bring more creative energy to the streets of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. The RFP for Temporary Public Sculpture (PDF document) seeks existing and/or proposed artworks for temporary installation (up to 11 months) at various outdoor locations along Myrtle Avenue. A full list of sites is below, while a map of the avenue and each sites location is within the RFP document. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed quarterly. Artists or teams of artists alike are invited to apply to have pieces installed at any or all of the proposed locations. All interested artists are STRONGLY encouraged to visit Myrtle Avenue to view all the sites in person before applying. Each site has its own character and context therefore a visit is important to truly understand and communicate the impact an artwork will have on the space. The proposed public sculpture sites are located at:
1. Ingersoll Houses: Myrtle near Prince (adjacent to the Community Center)
2. Ingersoll Houses: Myrtle and Navy Street (west side of Navy)
3. Ingersoll Houses: Myrtle and Navy Street (east side of Navy)
4. Ingersoll Houses: Myrtle and St. Edwards
5. Whitman Houses: Myrtle near North Portland
6. Whitman Houses: Myrtle between North Portland and Carlton
7. Whitman Houses: Myrtle near Washington Park (adjacent to commercial building)
8. Northwest corner of Fort Greene Park at the intersection of Myrtle and St. Edwards
9. Northeast corner of Fort Greene Park at the intersection of Myrtle and Washington Park
10. Green Streets Triangle at the intersection of Carlton and Myrtle
11. Wide sidewalks at Clinton and Myrtle
12. Wide sidewalks at Hall and Myrtle

The basic qualities we are looking for in proposed artwork are ARTISTIC MERIT, SITE SUITABILITY, DESIGN AESTHETIC, DURABILITY, and LOCAL. Basically, were looking for work showing creative and technical talent that fit the proposed site while maintaining a strong visual impact. The artwork will be installed outside so it must be able to endure any and all weather, whether it be surprise 80 degree weather in April, snow storms in January or thunderstorms in March! And lastly, preference will be given to local Brooklyn-based artists.

For more information contact Meredith Phillips Almeida at (718) 230-2689 or meredith@myrtleavenue.org.

The Myrtle Avenue Public Art Program is an effort to bring public sculpture, art installations, and creative street furniture elements to the public spaces and sidewalks of the 20-block retail district, increasing access to art for the entire community. The program is supported by funding from Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation and the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership BID, with sculpture siting assistance provided by NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, NYC Department of Transportation, and NYC Housing Authority.

Submit Your Ideas for the Myrtle Public Pedestrian Plaza

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:09:00 -0400

CALL FOR IDEAS DEADLINE EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 16th!

It's time to pull out the sketch pad, the camera, the laptop, and whatever other tools you like, to submit initial design ideas for the planned Myrtle Avenue pedestrian plaza between Grand and Emerson. Now that the location and geometry of the plaza are more or less set, it is time to focus on the actual features, amenities and landscaping that the community would like to see there.

In the coming months, NYC DOT will assign a professional design team that will work us and the community during an approximately year-long design phase. In the meantime, we are issuing a Call For Ideas (PDF document, about 1.5 MB) to ensure that we have as many creative concepts and best practices at our disposal during the very first meetings with the design team, allowing us to have a better sense of the community's priorities for the plaza. Submissions are due by November 16th, with the full details and instructions explained in the Call for Ideas PDF document. Photos can also be uploaded and shared via our Plaza Design Group if you become a fan on Facebook.

We want to be sure that this new plaza results in a truly well-designed and well-loved public space for the neighborhood. We are asking professional designers and amateurs alike to contribute original design concepts for the Myrtle Plaza, or to submit compelling photos of features from existing public spaces that you particularly like. The Call for Ideas aims to involve the community in the creation of a great public space on Myrtle Avenue, generating design and programming concepts that are progressive and sustainable and that support a variety of user groups and activities while capturing the energy, diversity and dynamic character of our neighborhood.

All entries will be compiled and reviewed by urban planners on the Partnership staff, as well as by the Myrtle Avenue Plaza Advisory Committee, made up of local stakeholders.

For those who choose not take part in the Call for Ideas, there will be a number of other ways you can be involved in the plaza's design:

" The Partnership is assembling a 10-person Advisory Committee for the Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza that will meet throughout the design phase to help facilitate communication to neighborhood residents and businesses, and will play a more hands-on role in guiding its design. The committee is made up of local organizations and stakeholders who will help to ensure that the plaza is accessible and amenable to a diverse set of user groups. There are a few spaces left on this committee, so if you have the time and interest, please contact us.

" As the project progresses and a design team comes on board, there will be design charrettes and meetings to update and involve community members. Sign up for our quarterly newsletter, or become a fan on Facebook for more frequent updates, to be sure you hear about these future events.

The Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza is the result of a multi-year community planning process that began in the fall of 2005, where improving the avenue's public spaces became a major emphasis as individuals expressed their desire to have public spaces to sit, eat, relax, people-watch, and to otherwise create a better sense of place. This year, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership was awarded participation in the first round of the NYC Plaza Program for our proposal for a plaza between Grand Avenue and Emerson Place on two blocks of the existing service road.

The design and development of the Plaza will be made possible by funds committed by NYC DOT, City Council Member Leticia James, Borough President Marty Markowitz, the US Department of Transportation's CMAQ program, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership BID.

If you have any questions regarding the Call for Ideas, or would like CAD files of the street geometry, please contact sarah@myrtleavenue.org

Paint the Pavement - check out the vid!

Wed, 20 May 2009 09:34:00 -0400

We were just thrilled to be a part of this fantastic public art project that brought together Livable Streets Education, Community Roots Charter School, P.S. 67 and local muralist extraordinaire Ellie Balk to create a street mural for the community of St. Edwards Street. This mural is the first of its kind in the city, and the very first project under the Department of Transportation's "Arterventions" program.

Check out the fantastic Streetsblog video of the project, or visit Flickr for highlights of the day, including a performance by the precious P.S. 67 cheering squad.

'Green Fort Greene & Clinton Hill' Underway

Tue, 12 May 2009 16:39:00 -0400

Council Member Tish James and Attorney Jed Marcus held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to announce the new Green Fort Greene & Clinton Hill spring greening initiatives. They were joined by students from the Academy for Young Writers (AYW) and other elected officials and community members. AYW students helped conduct research and outreach on several of the green initiatives. Green Fort Green & Clinton Hill is a volunteer organization, which is helping to make our neighborhoods more environmentally friendly through programs which focus on reducing our community's contribution to global warming as well as our use of non-renewable resources. Other subjects discussed at the press conference include recycling in local parks: this project is taking place on a pilot basis in Fort Greene Park, Cuyler Gore Park, as well as Underhill Playground. Bins will be placed first for paper, and then for bottles and cans later this month. Lawn Litter Act signs: GFGCH is distributing free waterproof signs to prevent unwanted paper waste and to encourage businesses to promote themselves in a more green way, such as through their websites. Tree bed expansions: in order to maintain the health of trees that line the streets of Fort Greene/Clinton Hill - GFGCH with Council Member James want to expand tree beds to 50 square feet. This project called Take Back the Pavement will create longer living trees and more shade, safer sidewalks, as well as jobs for the community.

Meet Me Under the BQE

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:12:00 -0400

It was surprisingly cool under the BQE on our first 80 degree day, as over 75 people turned out for our first workshop looking at creative uses for the space beneath the BQE. The Spacebuster, our temporary inflatable home, played a perfect host for the community gathering, and attracted area residents and curious passersby.

Browse the photos below, and check back soon for a compilation of ideas from the workshop.

Update: here are some conceptual drawings from workshop attendees:

...and some birds-eye views of the site:

You + ideas + SPACE BUSTER on April 25!

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:33:00 -0400

The area under the BQE has long been seen as an eyesore its dark, dirty and generally, well, unpleasant. If youre like us, youve probably looked at that area and thought, Look at all that space! That would be the perfect place for ______. We want to hear your ideas!

Join us on April 25th for a community workshop under the BQE.

Thats right, we said UNDER THE BQE.

The workshop will take place inside the SpaceBuster, in the area under the BQE in Clinton Hill

at Park Avenue at Washington Avenue
Saturday, April 25th
from 3-4:30pm

SpaceBuster is a mobile inflatable art installation that expands and organically adjusts to its surroundings (like a highway overpass).

We invite you to participate by brainstorming creative permanent and temporary uses and physical improvements for the space under the BQE with the help of volunteer facilitators from Pratt Institutes Planning program. The event is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are strongly recommended as space is limited.

To RSVP to participate in the community workshop, click here.

Cant make the workshop? Stop by during the Open House after 4:30pm, and mingle with SpaceBuster architects raumlaborberlin.

Sponsored by Storefront, the SpaceBuster will travel throughout New York City hosting various community events from April 17th to the April 26th. For the complete SpaceBuster schedule visit www.storefrontnews.org.

Great Wall of Brooklyn, on its way up!

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:18:00 -0400

Yesterday mornings sunny weather was the perfect backdrop for the inaugural installation of the Great Wall of Brooklyn. Charlotta Janssen, owner of Chez Lola, artist and founder of the Great Wall, filmed (movie forthcoming!) as the crew hung the first mural to be featured at the site, Achtung Baby& Here Comes the Next great Depression.

The Great Wall of Brooklyn, new to Fort Greene, is an artist-run public art organization that will host quarterly artwork and showcase the work of local, Brooklyn-based and international artists.

The project aims to create dialogue between artists, local audiences and public spaces. You can check out the Great Wall in person at Myrtle Avenue and Vanderbilt or if you prefer cyber-space, greatwallofbrooklyn.org. Either way, feel free to report back to us here with your comments!

Great Wall of Brooklyn, this weekend

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:16:00 -0400

A large public art installation is going up on the eastern side wall of 387 Myrtle, the home of Chez Lola's, over the weekend. It was slated to go up today, but with the rain and all, looks like the project will be delayed a bit. Stop by the corner of Myrtle and Vanderbilt this weekend and take a peek. In the meantime, read more about the Great Wall of Brooklyn project here: greatwallofbrooklyn.org.

New Yorkiest Block: Myrtle Avenue btwn Clermont & Vanderbilt

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:52:00 -0400

Myrtle Avenue's in this weeks TimeOut New York. The block between Clermont & Vanderbilt is billed one of the "New Yorkiest" blocks in the city. Lots of wonderful small businesses mentioned, including Kiini Ibura, Tres Elegante, Duncan's, Chez Lola, RC Discount (aka Home & U), Benhadi Supermarket (aka Hala Hala), and Century 21 Nail Salon. Check out the full story here!

R.I.P. Myrtle Street Trees

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:59:00 -0400

Myrtle Avenue has recently seen two street tree casualties. On Tuesday, a street tree between Hall and Washington was struck and about a month ago, another young trees trunk was split between Vanderbilt and Clermont. These trees were amazing additions to our Avenue; they worked to improve the neighborhood in every way possible and, sadly, were plucked too soon from our world. Today, to memorialize Myrtles beloved street trees and to encourage tree love in the neighborhood, we have prepared a list of a few of the benefits of street trees: " Street trees extend the life span of our infrastructure, in some cases by 40 to 60%. They absorb precipitation, allowing it to evaporate back in the atmosphere, minimizing storm water runoff. They also shade the pavement and asphalt, which reduces heat, and all of the expansions, contractions and cracks that accompany it. " Street trees raise property values and profits (businesses on streets with trees show 20% higher incomes). Not only do they help you earn, they help you save. Overtime, trees reduce required street maintenance and, by providing shade and cool air, they save you money on energy bills. " Street trees are good for you inside and out (they block the sun and lower your blood pressure). They also lower the air temperature (5-15 degree temperature differentials are felt under trees), protect you from the elements and reduce harm from tailpipe emissions and ozone (pollutants linked to asthma) by converting these dangerous gasses back to oxygen. That is good for you and good for the environment. " On trees with streets motorists and pedestrians enjoy a higher level of security. Treescaped streets facilitate slower traffic and create well defined roadways. As a pedestrian, this distinct edge protects you from car traffic and provides a pleasant space to stroll the avenue. In honor of our fallen trees, I encourage you to request a street tree for your block! Call 311 to request a tree or report any tree damage.

Love Your (NYC) Block Contest, Ends 2/15

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:42:00 -0400

Mayor Bloomberg and Citizens Committee for New York City invite volunteer-led neighborhood groups to apply for a $1,000 cash award to transform the public spaces on their block. Twelve groups from across the five boroughs will be selected as finalists, and each finalist will receive a $1,000 grant to beautify their block. The group that demonstrates the most impressive transformation will win an additional $3,000 to be used towards future block improvements. Groups will also be supported by services from multiple city agencies including the Mayors Office and its Community Affairs Unit, and the Departments of Transportation, Sanitation, and Parks. Download the Love Your (NYC) Block Contest application For more information, contact Arif Ullah at aullah@citizensnyc.org

Myrtle Windows Gallery presents Anne Lafond

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:50:00 -0400

Yesterday was the opening reception for Anne Lafond's work in the just launched Myrtle Windows Gallery. The show will be exhibited until November 18th. A preview of the pieces is below, but please come by Myrtle between Clinton and Hall to see the pieces in person. A guide to the gallery and pricing is available inside each gallery storefront.

More information on our Myrtle Avenue Public Art program is here.

Northeast entrance to Fort Greene Park gets a makeover

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:39:00 -0400

As part of the Partnerships effort to improve or create new public spaces for community programming and for the neighborhood to enjoy, weve taken on the restoration of the Belgian Block plaza at the northeast entrance to Fort Greene Park at Myrtle Avenue and Washington Park. This underutilized entrance to the park has long been a treacherous path with uneven Belgian blocks sticking up out of the ground this way and that. We approached the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation a number of months ago to see if we could take on a basic and affordable renovation of the plaza using funds we had raised for streetscape improvements on Myrtle Avenue. The Parks Department and the Fort Greene Park Conservancy liked the idea, we put the project out to bid, the permit came through on Tuesday, and work has already begun.

If you walk by the site, you will notice that a group of diligent workers have been removing the Belgian blocks at the entrance, creating organized piles of blocks in the central oval. The scope of work for this project includes removing and resetting the Belgian blocks (by hand no machines for this delicate job) using the existing pattern, and creating larger pits around the trees in the central oval to give adequate space to the tree roots. The blocks will be removed completely in the area immediately adjacent to the parks stone wall, and that area will be mulched and eventually planted. Neither the hex pavers nor the granite stairs into the Park will be touched at this point given our limited budget. Of the $30,000 total project budget, $25,000 is being paid for via MARPs New York Main Street Program, which is funded by New York States Division of Housing & Community Renewal, with the Myrtle Avenue BID contributing the $5,000 remaining balance. Work should be completed in three weeks.

The driving force for this project really came from community members who attended our community planning workshops in 2007, facilitated by Project for Public Spaces and co-sponsored with the Ingersoll and Whitman Tenant Associations. These workshops were organized to get local input on improving public spaces on Myrtle, with one workshop in particular focused on the Ashland Place to Carlton Avenue area. Participants felt strongly about improving this entrance, and saw potential in the possibility for a vibrant public space. We started small by using the plaza this year as the distribution site for the Fort Greene CSA every Wednesday afternoon and evening. We hope be leveling the Belgian Blocks, there will now be opportunities for more and diverse programming and activities. If you have ideas that would help us to activate this newly renovated public space, drop us a line!

Celebrate Public Art on Myrtle With Us!

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:32:00 -0400

For the next month, three blocks of Myrtle Avenue will play host to the artwork of Fort Greene-based artist Anne LaFond as the first exhibit in our new Myrtle Windows Gallery program. Myrtle Windows Gallery aims to create an open-air art gallery that breaks down the walls of the traditional private art gallery to bring two-dimensional art to the public arena via the storefront window, where it is accessible to anyone simply walking down the street.

Come celebrate this inaugural exhibit with us on Tuesday, October 21st from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Five Spot Supper Club at 461 Myrtle between Washington and Waverly. During the opening reception, LaFond will be on hand to discuss her work, and will lead a walking tour of the exhibit immediately following the reception. The reception is free and open to the public (RSVP here) and light refreshments will be served.

LaFonds paintings touch on issues of social justice and consciousness like the effects of violence and the New York working class experience. Paintings in the Subway Series exhibit are dynamic and colorful depictions of everyday people on their daily commute on the New York City subway with a focus on how they interact with each other and the daily news.

The paintings will be on display until November 17, 2008 in the following ten storefronts, all located within three blocks on Myrtle Avenue between Hall Street and Clinton Avenue: Anima (458 Myrtle); Five Spot Supper Club (459 Myrtle); Joseph Tyler Salon (456 Myrtle); Karens Body Beautiful (436 Myrtle); Karrot Health Food (431 Myrtle); Miracles Unisex Barber Shop (473A Myrtle); Move with Grace Dance & Yoga Studio (469 Myrtle); Optimum Care Rehab (474 Myrtle); Thai 101 Restaurant (455A Myrtle); Three Stars Laundromat (439 Myrtle). The paintings are all available for sale by the artist, with a printed guide to the gallery and pricing inside each participating storefront.

Speaking of public art, youve probably already noticed that we have a few new residents on Myrtle Avenue the Tree Huggers!

At the end of the summer, we kicked off our Public Art Program with the temporary installation of four pieces from the internationally-known Tree Hugger Project at two locations on Myrtle: the Carlton Green Streets Triangle (Carlton and Myrtle), and the Ingersoll Houses (Myrtle between Prince and Navy). This project was a collaboration between the Partnership, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, New York City Housing Authority and the Ingersoll Tenants Association. Tree Hugger pieces will be exhibited on Myrtle Avenue until July 2009.

Artists Wiktor Szostalo and Agnieska Gradzik have installed the Tree Huggers in parks and public spaces all over the world. From material to concept, the Tree Huggers send a message that we all have an important role as stewards of public space and the environment, and Myrtle Avenue is excited to be part of this global movement.

Next time youre walking down Myrtle take a moment to check out our whimsical visitors from the skateboarding tree hugger at Carlton to the flying red balloon family at Ingersoll, these characters will surely brighten your stroll and bring a smile to your face.

We hope to bring more temporary public sculpture installations to Myrtle Avenue in the coming year.

Calling all aspiring urban planners!

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:42:00 -0400

Come take part in the MAS free training workshop, the "Livable Neighborhoods Program", at Pratt on Saturday, October 18th. The Livable Neighborhoods Program, which first launched in May, 2007 at Hunter College, was created to provide communities with the knowledge, tools, and training needed to transform local vision into effective plans. This workshop is hosted by the Municipal Arts Society, the Pratt Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment, and the Cornell Urban Scholars Program. Students and community members will have an opportunity to receive NYC?specific, in?person training and reference materials on a number of planning topics, and access to a web?based network for ongoing discussion. When Is the Training? Saturday, October 18, 2008 8:30AM 1:00 PM Who Can Attend? Registration is open to students from GCPE, CUSP, and local residents. What Is The Cost? Participation in the program is free. Where Is The Training? The training will take place in Higgins Hall at Pratt Brooklyn with special assistance from The Pratt Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment. Please see attached campus map. What Should I Bring? Please remember to bring a notebook and a few pens and/or pencils. Will Food Be Served? Yes. We will provide lunch. How Do I Register? Email Sideya Sherman at ssherman@mas.org. Can I Bring My Child? Yes. The LNP is designed to be as convenient for participants as possible. We will have a supervised childrens activity room available for children school age children and up. Where Can I Find More Information? Click here for more information on the Livable Neighborhoods Program. To learn more about the MAS and the Planning Center visit www.mas.org. Also, you can contact Sideya Sherman via email at ssherman@mas.org or via phone at 212.935.3960 ext. 259 for more information.

Myrtle Streetscape Improvements Move Forward

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:00:00 -0400

New public space is on the way! This past Tuesday at CB 2's Transportation Committee meeting, the NYC DOT presented proposed street geometries for pedestrian and safety improvements to the four blocks of Myrtle Avenue between Hall Street and Emerson Place. The plan calls for widening the sidewalk and median between Hall and Grand, essentially turning the service road into more of a driveway, and creating a landscaped pedestrian plaza between Grand and Emerson. Click for a larger image. These ideas were originally developed through a number of community workshops we hosted over the last three years with Pratt Institute's urban planning program and the organization Project for Public Spaces. DOT really liked the concepts and has taken them to the next step, having their engineers and street designers do a more in depth study to come up with the plans shown. The transportation committee voted 8 to 0 in favor of the proposed changes.

We have already raised about $3.5 million toward implementing these improvements: $2 million was raised in cooperation with City Planning from Federal CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality) funds; $1 million in capital funds from Council Member Tish James; and $500,000 in capital funds from BP Marty Markowitz. We hope to raise the final amount if Myrtle Avenue is selected as a winning proposal for the NYC Plaza Program.

For a look at DOT's presentation, click here. (1.5 MB in PDF format)
And to see some of the background on our work on this site, its challenges, and our conceptual concepts, go to our Placemaking and Public Space Enhancements page.

Myrtle Park(ing) Day - Picnic Space, Performance Space, Public Space!

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:34:00 -0400

From picknickers to spoken-word poets, Myrtle Park was packed from start to finish with folks looking for a place to just...be. Residents, visitors, even high school classes stopped by to check out the scene, to relax, to enjoy, and to imagine the possibility of public space. Visit our Flickr site for photos of Myrtle Park!

Join Us At "Myrtle Park" This Friday, 9/19

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:56:00 -0400

Join us this Friday, 9/19, as we participate for the second year in National Park(ing) Day. We roll out the sod on two parking spaces on the Avenue, add chairs, tables, and hopefully YOU. Park(ing) Day is a day to celebrate parks in cities and to promote the need for more public space by creating temporary public parks. Come out and enjoy. Bring your lunches to eat, your newspapers to read, instruments to play, your poetry or spoken word to share--or hey, even your lawnchair. Come out, relax, enjoy. Local restaurants, Kum Kau and Liberty Pizza will provide tastings around lunchtime. Furniture and plants courtesy of Anima, Optimum Care and Root Stock & Quade. And there will even be treats and water for the precious pooches courtesy of NYCPet.com. Where: Myrtle Avenue (between Washington Avenue and Hall Street), 9a - 5p. After you stop by to say hello to us, please visit other nearby Fort Greene/ Clinton Hill Parks: bocce ball at "Gutter Ball Park" at Myrtle and Hall (directly in front of Bergen Bagel) and environmental workshops at "Habana Works" at Fulton and So. Portland Streets, both until 7pm.

Myrtle, Amongst Brooklyn's Greenest!

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:19:00 -0400

Back in June we entered three blocks on Myrtle (between Clinton Avenue and Hall Street) in the Greenest Block in Brooklyn Competition, the boroughwide "friendly" contest sponsored by Boro Hall and Brooklyn GreenBridge. Well, we emerged winners! The south side of Myrtle between Waverly and Washington Avenue placed third. The north side of Myrtle between Washington and Hall garnered an honorable mention. A BIG thank you to the many Myrtle Avenue merchants who armed with green watering cans took to the pits and watered and watered, some with great zeal like Gustavo at Clinton Hill Hardware. Thanks to Optimum Care Rehab for the treepit signs (see photo). Optimum works with children, and engaged the children in an art project where they designed and painted about 30 pit signs. Also a big thank you to John and Kerry at Root Stock & Quade for all of the urban gardening tips and logistical guidance. Thanks to our volunteers-- Elizabeth Flesher, Sarah Francis, Stephanie Porto, Noreen Sumpter and also, Corinne Weiner (who joined later in the game). Read more about the 2008 winners of the Greenest Block in Brooklyn competition here. We are so ready for next year!

Tree Hugger Project installation this Saturday at Ingersoll Family Day

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:45:00 -0400

We are kicking off the new Myrtle Avenue Public Art Program by teaming up with NYCHA and the Ingersoll Tenant Association for a community build this Saturday, August 30th, from 12-3pm on Myrtle near Prince Street. Please come by to help the artists install the pieces they've designed for the Ingersoll Houses grounds, and then enjoy the food, drink, music, and games, courtesy of the Ingersoll TA and NYCHA.

Tree Hugger Project (www.treehuggerproject.com) artists Wiktor Szostalo and Agnieszka Gradzik will be installing a total of four pieces on Myrtle Avenue as a part of their ongoing public art project that combines environmental sculpture made of natural, found and free materials such as twigs, vines and tree branches with a simple environmental message. The Project is an ongoing work of Environmental Art designed to help us re-discover our relationship with nature at a very personal and intimate level. The focus on the stewardship of public space demonstrates that standing up for the environment can be done in a fun and non-political way, and that contemporary art can be entertaining and make a difference in how we view our world. Community participation in the construction and installation of the Tree Huggers helps to highlight the role that we all can play as stewards in our very own neighborhood, reminding us that we humans are still very much a part of our natural surroundings. The Tree Hugger Project has been brought to cities and parks all over the world as a way to bring attention to the environment and to bring communities together, and Myrtle Avenue is excited to be part of this international movement.

The Partnerships new Myrtle Avenue Public Art program is an effort to bring temporary (up to 11 months) public sculpture, art installations, studio art, and creative street furniture elements to the public spaces and sidewalks of the 20-block retail district, increasing access to art for the entire community.

These art installations are part of the larger Myrtle Avenue Arts & Enterprise Initiative which represents a multi-faceted effort to establish the retail corridor as an access point to visual art and cultural activities for community members of diverse socio-economic backgrounds. The Tree Hugger Project serves as a kick-off for the Partnerships new public art program, launching both a soon-to-be-released open call for proposals for additional temporary sculpture pieces for locations along Myrtle Avenue, as well as a request for sponsors to support future artists and their installations. Seed funding for the new program was provided by the Lily Auchincloss Foundation and Myrtles Business Improvement District.

Keep it clean, folks.

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:31:00 -0400

Usually, the trash we notice on the street consists of the usual suspects; plastic bags, beverage cans and bottles, paper flyers, receipts, candy wrappers etc. But there is another kind of trash that is actually one of the most prominent forms of street garbage. What is that item? Cigarette butts. Small in size but prevalent in number on our city streets, over 100 cigarette butts can be found on any given sidewalk along our very own Myrtle Avenue. Cigarette trash includes partially smoked cigarettes, matches, disposable lighters, packaging and cigarette butts. These days, being anti-litter is really a no-brainer; not many would purposely throw a can or bottle on the ground or a plastic bag or their bag of potato chips from lunch. In elementary school they would say; Would you throw that on the floor of your living room? But still many of us flick our cigarette butts onto the street without a thought. Why are we concerned with these little rolls of tobacco and their filters? Besides their unsightly nature on our sidewalks which are effectively, as city residents, our front lawns and public gathering spaces, cigarette butts can have a harmful effect on the environment and our health. Cigarette butts left on the street and in the gutter can be easily carried in storm water runoff to local streams, rivers and waterways. Cigarette filters contain a form of plastic that does not biodegrade. This plastic is harmful to the natural environment and in return to humans by finding its way into our water supply. Help us to curb cigarette litter on Myrtle Avenue. The Keep America Beautiful initiative has provided free pocket ashtrays to help prevent cigarette litter from being discarded on our sidewalks and tree pits. These, along with general information on cigarette litter prevention, will be available at local Myrtle bars and restaurants, including Rope, Tamboril, Maggie Brown and Vesper. If you dont see a trash can, you can use this portable ashtray as temporary storage for your litter until you find one. If youre interested in more information on the cigarette litter initiative or would like a pocket ashtray for yourself or a friend please contact meredith@myrtleavenue.org.

Myrtle: Greenest Block in Brooklyn

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:32:00 -0400

The blocks on Myrtle Avenue (between Clinton Avenue and Hall Street) have been entered in the Greenest Block in Brooklyn Competition. Keep an eye out over the course of the next few weeks. The tree pits are being planted with ivy and impatiens. Merchants are greening up their storefronts. The remaining tree pits on Myrtle in the district will be mulched. There is even a growing list of volunteers who are stepping in to 'adopt-a-tree pit,' through watering a pit or two on a daily basis throughout the summer-- and hopefully, beyond. If you are interested in adopting a tree pit, please give us a call at 718.230.1689. Free watering cans, reusable Myrtle shopping bags (MyrtleBags), liberal thank yous and bragging rights on your blossoming pits for all those who sign up for the effort. Keep an eye on the blog for updates...

Hearing on G train service, Tuesday

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:51:00 -0400

NYC Council will hold an oversight hearing on G train service on Tuesday, April 8th at City Hall. City Council Resolution #1262 (Sponsored by Council Members Tish James, Liu and Mendez) calls on the MTA to immediately improve service on the G line and to suspend implementation of service cuts. Growth dictates that the G will become more needed, not less but the MTA has no plans to make any improvements. Many of us ride the G train and have been frustrated by its limited service--infrequent schedule, short trains, lack of transfer and connection opportunities. Come out to the hearing on April 8th and tell the NYC Council about your experiences, your commute and the places you have had trouble getting to because of poor service between Brooklyn and Queens: Time/Date: Tuesday, April 8 at 1:00pm Location: Council Chambers, City Hall Re: What is the MTA doing to improve service on the G line? Spread the word!

G Train Petition

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:48:00 -0400

Councilperson Letitia James is asking the MTA to study whether the G Train at Fulton Street could be connected to the Atlantic Avenue transportation hub via an underground tunnel. If the stations were linked, the G train would directly transfer to 10 additional lines. A group of G train commuters are circulating a petition in support: petition

City Bike Racks Competition

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:45:00 -0400

NYC Department of Transportation and the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum presents CityRacks, a national bike racks design competition. Think you can design an "elegant, innovative and durable" bike rack? What are you waiting for, register here: http://nycityracks.wordpress.com

Creating the City We All Want

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 03:56:00 -0400

The Task Force for Community-Based Planning, of which MARP is a member of its executive committee, is hosting the following series of panel discussions.

Park(ing) Day on Myrtle Drives Business Activity

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:58:00 -0400

The one-day Adami Park on Myrtle between Washington and Waverly was a huge success, and brought out a great mix of both planned and spontaneous street life. Additionally, in an important part of the story that seems to have been under-reported in other stories covering Park(ing) Day, the temporary park and the people it attracted were a boon for the two businesses in front of which the park was setup. Il Torchio, the new Italian restaurant at 458 Myrtle, reported a 20-30% increase in its lunch business as compared to a typical weekday, with almost half of its lunch crowd being new customers. Joseph Tyler Salon, a high-end salon at 456 Myrtle, did double the business it expected to do for the day, with the majority being walk-ins and first-time customers.

In addition to a Pratt industrial design class holding its morning session in the park, musicians, avenue merchants, and local residents spent time enjoying the greenspace. During lunch, what seemed like the entire Adami family showed up to have lunch from Il Torchio. Many local residents gave feedback on our recently-released Placemaking Reports from which we hope to create permanent pocket parks or neighborhood plazas in the future.

Additional photos from Myrtle Avenue's Park(ing) Day are available for viewing and download at our flickr site.

Pratt Announces New Academic Building for Myrtle Avenue

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:18:00 -0400

After a considerable amount of planning and negotiations, Pratt Institute has made its plans to build a second building on Myrtle Avenue official. Pratt will be building a 120,000-square-foot building at the former "KFC site", with 15,000 square feet of ground floor retail. The new building will further extend Pratts presence on Myrtle Avenue, joining the Prattstore, the Institutes art supply and bookstore, which opened in 2005 at Myrtle and Emerson. Pratt will be aiming to achieve a LEED Gold certification for the new building, and recently received a $75,000 Kresge Foundation grant to help plan for integrating green building technologies. Green features currently being considered for potential application include a landscaped roof to help insulate the building and prevent water runoff, photovoltaic solar panels, and a geothermal climate control system. Pratt's new building will house several academic programs and administrative offices, including the offices of admissions, financial aid, the bursar, and the registrar; the Pratt Center for Community Development, (formerly PICCED); the offices of the Institutes Division of Development; The Department of Digital Arts and the Digital Arts Lab; and studios for graduate students. The building is being designed by the multi-disciplinary architectural and engineering firm of Clinton Hill resident and Pratt alumnus Jack Esterson, Studio A and WASA. The firm is designing the new building to serve as a connection between Pratts campus and Myrtle Avenue with an atrium allowing views into and through the building from both sides. Excerpted from Pratt's press release: We are committed to the idea that the building be exemplary, both as architecture and in its environmental performance, said Jack Esterson, partner in charge at Studio A and WASA, who received a bachelors degree in architecture from Pratt in 1975. The North façade is highly insulated and finished in brick and glass, in order to complement the 19th century commercial architecture of Myrtle Avenue without imitating it, added Esterson. On the South side, a glazed wall with ultra high-performance clear and translucent glass and solar shading is designed to bring daylight into the building year round, while keeping summer heat out. The firms Director of Sustainable Design and the point person for this project, Tony Daniels, is one of New York Citys most well known experts in sustainable architecture. His work has been recognized for excellence by numerous organizations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the World Renewable Energy Congress, and the New York Society of Registered Architects, among others. Pratt plans to break ground on the new project in spring 2008 with an anticipated completion date sometime in summer 2009. Stay tuned for further details, as the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership will be working closely with Pratt to integrate the new building into the commercial corridor, and to make major streetscape improvements along that part of Myrtle Avenue.

Flatbush Avenue Building Boom

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:41:00 -0400

Today's New York Post provides a good overview of what is reported as $3.1 billion worth of real estate construction taking place along Flatbush Avenue between the Manhattan Bridge and the Williamsburg Savings Bank building. The construction includes almost 4,500 residential units, 645,000 square feet of retail, and 190,000 square feet of office space. More details at the link. We'll have more info in the near future on site numbers 7, 8, 9, and 12 from the map.

MARP Board Endorses PlaNYC 2030

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:33:00 -0400

On last Friday, June 15th, the MARP LDC board of directors voted to support the goals of Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC 2030, including the concept of congestion pricing, with the stipulation that four important concepts are included or considered:

1. Residential permit parking for those neighborhoods outside the congestion pricing zone, including but not limited to Fort Greene and Clinton Hill
2. Creation of a transparent and public agreement between the MTA and the City requiring the MTA to use all revenues from congestion pricing to improve public transit access to areas of the city not currently served, especially the outer boroughs
3. Consideration of special treatment in regard to congestion pricing for vital service employees, or encouraging employers in the vital services sector to offset the cost of entering Manhattan for those who must drive as part of their job
4. Consideration of special treatment in regard to congestion pricing for the sick and infirm, or those who must routinely visit hospitals within the congestion zone for specialized treatment

The MARP board of directors is made up of a diverse mix of locally-based residents, business owners, academic institutions, banks, corporations, and community leaders. MARP believes that the initiatives included in the Mayor's plan will have positive effects on Myrtle Avenue's retail district, as well as its surrounding neighborhoods. Given the proximity of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill to the bridges, a considerable amount of automobile traffic on Myrtle Avenue is through-traffic, bound for the Manhattan bridge, not our small business corridor. Reducing this non-local traffic will only serve to help the commercial strip, making it safer for pedestrians, more convenient for drivers whose destination is Myrtle Avenue, and speeding up service on the B54 bus.

Other elements of PlaNYC that coincide nicely with some of MARP's current priorities include: the faster roll-out of muni-meters for street parking, the planting of more street trees, the creation of new neighborhood plazas, the promotion of cycling as a means of transportation and the creation of new bicycle infrastructure, and the improvement of mass transit, including buses and the G train.

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership BID board of directors has not yet had an opportunity to discuss the Mayor's plan, and will take it up at a future meeting.

New Bike Lanes in the Neighborhood

Tue, 22 May 2007 18:37:00 -0400

The installation of new bike lanes on Willoughby, Carlton, and Washington Park, looks to be complete. The changes include modifying Carlton Avenue between Myrtle and Park to a two-way street, with a painted median and bike lanes in both directions. A full description of the new changes is spelled out at NYC DOT. Check out the City's new 2007 NYC Cycling Maps which include the updated local routes.

Wallabout in the News

Wed, 02 May 2007 16:20:00 -0400

Our neighborhood blocks north of Myrtle have been getting some attention in recent days, both at Curbed and The Real Deal, much of it due to the recent announcement of the winners of HPD's Brig Site RFP and the expansion of Steiner Studios timed for late summer. While much of this attention strives to compare a future Wallabout to a current day DUMBO by speculating that the handful of large manufacturing buildings could someday become luxury housing, the fact of the matter is that these blocks between Park and Flushing Avenues are not the "industrial wasteland" that The Real Deal states. While we can appreciate the fun in speculating where the "next DUMBO" will be, the majority of Wallabout's buildings are occupied by a diverse mix of manufacturers, food distributors, industrial designers, artists, and warehousing companies, from Sweet'N Low to small furniture makers. While the area truly is a mixed-use zone in many senses of the term, it is currently zoned for manufacturing and is still viable as a manufacturing zone with a lot of the necessary infrastructure already in place. After all, Flushing Avenue is a designated truck route, there's easy access to the BQE, it borders the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and the subway access isn't great - none of which make for a destination residential district. With the planned CB2 rezoning intentionally excluding these blocks from its scope, and the Mayor's Office of Industrial and Manufacturing Businesses likely to oppose any BSA variances for viable manufacturing space, we see this area more likely expanding on its current mixed-use foundation, with job growth coming from businesses that compliment Steiner Studios, specialty food manufacturers, industrial designers, and artists already based in the general vicinity of Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. We'll be completing a survey of the existing manufacturers based in the area this coming summer in order to get a more accurate count of the number of firms and employees in Wallabout, so check back then for more info. For those interested in more of the history and architecture of the area, check out our Wallabout Cultural Resource Survey.

This Weekend: Historic Districts Council Conference

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 12:27:00 -0400

HDC's 13th Annual Preservation Conference, Preserving the Past, Planning for the Future, will be taking place this weekend, March 9 to March 11. This year's conference will focus on how preservation relates to other urban environmental concerns such as green architecture, smart growth, and urban planning in New York City. The conference weekend consists of an opening night reception on Friday at the Children's Aid Society's Greenwich Village Center, a day of panels and other educational sessions on Saturday, and walking tours throughout the boroughs on Sunday. The main conference program will be held at Hunter College School of Social Work. For information on this year's conference events, please visit the HDC website at www.hdc.org. You may register directly online, or call HDC at 212-614-9107.

Brooklyn Town Hall Meeting for PlaNYC 2030

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 12:08:00 -0400

The Mayor's Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability is hosting a town hall meeting open to the public to get some response and feedback on its framework for planning for the City's growth over the next 25 years. More information on PlaNYC 2030 is on the City's website. Brooklyn Town Hall Meeting
6:30pm, Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Long Island University, Metcalfe Building, Paramount Gymnasium
1 University Plaza, at intersection of Flatbush and DeKalb Avenue (across from Juniors)
Directions: 2,3,4,5 at Nevins Street, and Q,B,N,R at DeKalb
The City's framework focuses on three major issues: Housing (we need more of it), Infrastructure (it's getting very old), and Environmental Sustainability (the city's at risk due to global climate change, and could use some major greening to improve access to parks and enhance quality of life). Our initial thought: it's a good start, but what about JOBS? Economic Development? Small Businesses? Sure, all of this housing construction and infrastructure improvement will create jobs, but we feel strongly that adopting a proactive strategy to retaining living wage jobs in the city, be it through small business development, retention of the manufacturing sector, etc., is key to keeping a healthy and growing middle class in New York. But we applaud the administration for asking some hard questions, and for pushing the city to think long-term. I'm sure everyone has an opinion on how you'd change the city, and what would ensure you don't move out, so hopefully that's part of the reason for these town hall meetings. We encourage everyone to be part of the discussion. If you can't attend the meeting, you can provide feedback online at PlaNYC's vision page. If you're interested in broader efforts at improving community-based planning in New York City, check out the Community-Based Planning Task Force, housed at The Planning Center at the Municipal Art Society.