The News | 6.24.10
A day doesn't go by without news about some development conflict in North Brooklyn. The New York Observer reported the latest about the fight between community groups and the city over The Broadway Triangle housing development: The city offered to settle the lawsuit brought on by the groups, the groups rejected the offer and called for major changes to the project, and then the city rejected that offer, calling for a judge to issue a decision.
Bike lanes across Brooklyn have caused quite a stir. In Red Hook, the IKEA manager protested against a bike lane that would bring cyclists in front of the mega-store. According to Gothamist, the manager was described as "confrontational" during a community board meeting. One bike land supporter said, "IKEA has enough enemies as it is in that neighborhood, I don’t know why they would stand up and oppose a safety project."
The Brooklyn Eagle covered the dispute over proposed bike lanes in Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights. Two major civic organizations and Community Board 10 called for a halt to construction of the lanes, citing safety issues. The lanes are set to be installed this October.
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Paper reported on troubles caused by the new Prospect Park West bike lane. Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians have been fighting over the lane since it was first proposed. Many pedestrians feel that the bikers are rude, careless, and act like they own the road.
Pedestrians traveling to the new Pier 6 are facing problems as well, but not because of cyclists. Park-goers must cross Atlantic Avenue to get to the park, and the NY Daily News says the drivers are often oblivious to the pedestrians. On one side, they must cross an on-ramp to the BQE where cars speed around the corner even when "Walk" lights are on. On the other side, there are two BQE exits with no pedestrian signals.
Photo credit: NY Oberserver
