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A BAD KIND OF CHANGE
Board's Dist. Mgr. Says Altered Bus Lines Would Harm Riders
Members of various committees on the advisory body also provided their reports during the Nov. 19 session. Among the items discussed were the potential rezoning of part of Bushwick, groups of smokers congregating near a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center and the formation of a local business improvement district. Bus changes would be negative Altering two bus lines running through Bushwick in order to service the Ridgewood Reservoir and Highland Park on the Brooklyn/Queens border would likely have a negative impact on local commuters, according to District Manager Nadine Whitted. She informed residents that the subject was raised during a recent meeting of Board 4's Environmental and Transportation Committee members and their counterparts at Queens Community Board 5's Transportation Services and Public Transit committees. In a letter, she noted, the Queens Board 5 committees proposed changing the B13 and B20 bus lines to pass Highland Park and the Ridgewood Reservoir. The proposal is intended to provide residents without a car access to the reservoir, which is scheduled to be renovated. As a result of these changes, Whitted stated last Wednesday, the B13 would be eliminated through areas of Brooklyn Board 4, while the B20 would be extended west from its current terminus at Putnam and Fairview avenues in Ridgewood to Myrtle Avenue and Palmetto Street. The district manager took issue with the plan, noting that "it is not a good idea to eliminate bus service in our area" for those residents who rely on public transportation to get around. "I happen to live near that route, and I'm fortunate enough that I have a car, but I see plenty of my neighbors on any Saturday morning taking that B20 to and from upper Myrtle Avenue," Whitted said. "I almost was offended, but I'm a lady of character and poise, so I didn't get really offended. "After further discussion concerning this, it seems that there is a group of people that want to preserve the reservoir at Highland Park," she added. "I think that's a commendable thing to do, but not at the expense of the people of our community, because not everyone has a car." Whitted noted that the MTA has been asked by Queens Board 5's committees to perform ridership studies on both bus lines, adding that Brooklyn Community Board 5 must also be consulted regarding any changes, as the B13 and B20 routes run through their area. "We were told that additional parking spaces would become available," she said. "I just don't understand how anyone can tell me that one of the benefits for us is parking spaces. I haven't hear anybody complain about the lack of parking spaces around here. I was also told that most places where bus stops are have fire hydrants anyway." Rename park for fallen athlete Five years after making their recommendation, Board 4 Chairperson Julie Dent reiterated the advisory body's support for the renaming of the Hope Ball field on Knickerbocker Avenue between Menahan and Grove streets in honor of a youngster who died while trying out for a traveling team. The board contacted City Council members Diana Reyna and Erik Martin Dilan in June 2003 asking them to grant the board's request to rename the park in honor of Randy Carlott. The youngster participated in a number of local baseball organizations and was active at St. Barbara's Church, where he was an altar server. Though the board had provided its support previously, Dent noted, the request has yet to be adopted by the City Council and Mayor Michael Bloomberg. She noted that one of Carlott's former coaches, Joe Ramos, is working to reignite the effort in the weeks to come. Ramos stated that he previously gathered over 3,000 petitions from local residents in support of the renaming effort, adding that the tribute would be "a great thing for the community and family" if it were to become official. Eyes on rezoning New zoning laws designed to limit the height and bulk of buildings to preserve the character of the neighborhood may soon be considered for Bushwick, according to the chairperson of the board's Housing and Land Use Committee. Martha Brown stated that the committee was recently informed by the Department of City Planning that it may consider introducing "contextual zoning districts" to parts of the neighborhood. Under this plan, pockets of the community would have restrictions for the construction and maintenance of specific types of residential and commercial buildings. She noted that the committee would meet further on the topic in the weeks ahead to help come up with a plan addressing the various goals of rezoning, including what areas would be considered, what types of buildings would be protected and what other amenities would be preserved. To that end, the board has been offered assistance through Hunter College and the Brooklyn Borough President's office in forming a planning group to consider new zoning for Bushwick, the committee chairperson added. Smoking on the corner Groups of residents at a treatment center at the intersection of Bushwick and DeKalb avenues have been observed smoking during evening hours several feet away from the building, according to the Health, Hospital and Human Services committee. District Manager Whitted read a report from the committee which noted that the panel met on Nov. 17 with the executive director of the center regarding the situation. Members were informed that since the building is "smoke-free," all smokers must light up at least 50 feet away from the structure. Alternatives to smoking are provided to residents at the center, it was noted, including nicotine patches and gums designed to help them kick the habit. Nevertheless, smokers have been informed that they are not permitted to congregate at the intersection. In reading the committee report, Whitted stated that center residents were observed following the meeting smoking at the corner despite assurances to the contrary. She said the board will send a letter to the center advising them that the advisory body will not tolerate the situation. Other news Merchants along Broadway between Cooper and Kosciuszko streets are working together to form a new business improvement district, announced Odolph Wright, chairperson of the Economic Development Committee. He noted that the East Broadway BID, if approved, would be the first of its kind in the Bushwick area. The U.S. Census Bureau is seeking employees to help conduct the 2010 survey in Bushwick at their Brooklyn office, according to Elvena Davis, chairperson of Board 4's Civic and Religious Committee. The local office is seeking fulltime test proctors and clerical staff as well as part-time surveyors and clerks. Depending on the job, workers can earn wages between $14 and $21 per hour; all workers would be employed for between one and two years. Prospective employees must be at least 18 years old and pass a basic skills exam as well as a background check. Having U.S. citizenship is preferable but not a prerequisite for obtaining a census job. For more information, call the bureau's northwest Brooklyn office at 625 Fulton St. at 1-718-360- 5151. Whitted announced that the city's Department of Transportation has agreed to install "no parking" signs in front of the A.C.E. Pre- School at 1441 Broadway. She noted the board sought the parking restriction since a number of children with special needs attending the campus are bused in and out. Planting trees
District Manager Whitted announced that the Parks Department has approved plans to plant street trees in front of the following locations: The next Brooklyn Community Board 4 meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Hope Gardens Senior Center, located at 195 Linden St. in Bushwick. For more information, call 1-718-628-8400.
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