Fifth Ave BID presents vision for corridor
It’s already a bustling neighborhood, packed with more than 500 small businesses and thousands of residents.
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The Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District says it’s looking ahead to upgrade the 30-block stretch in Park Slope.
It’s already a bustling neighborhood, packed with more than 500 small businesses and thousands of residents.
However, after the Department of Transportation’s offer for street improvements on Fifth Avenue — the BID partnered with WXY Studio to develop a strategic vision for its streets and public spaces, through a grant from the New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Health System.
“We did extensive community engagement,” said Joanna Tallantire, executive director of the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District.
“The key concerns are pedestrian safety, lack of greening on Fifth Avenue, and for the small business owners, they want help with operations like delivery and loading, but also foot traffic," says Tallantire.
Part of the near-term goals also include more public spaces and outdoor seating areas, and even new public art installations.
“We see a place where you can come and you can stroll,” said Tallantire. “That you can go into small businesses and spend some time and spend some money and keep the corridor thriving.”
News 12 spoke with some Park Slope residents who shared some suggestions of their own for the near future of Fifth Avenue.
“No more tall buildings,” said Steve Glisson, a resident of 30 years. “More safety, especially bicycles. I would say definitely monitoring the electric motorcycle and bicycle world because that's gotten completely out of hand. They should be licensed and insured.”
“Not everyone rides bikes,” said another Park Slope resident of 50 years. “You have some elderly people that use their car and a lot of other people, not elderly, needing to drive where they go and you’ll still take away spaces for them. I don't think it’s fair.”
In the long term, Tallantire says the BID is committed to traffic management, easing congestion and even installing raised crosswalks.
The BID will work closely with DOT and the community board as the process moves forward.
