BKLYN. BD 4 OKs STREET PLANS

Two projects spearheaded by the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council to renovate part of the Knickerbocker Avenue streetscape and a local intersection were recommended for approval by Brooklyn Community Board 4 at the advisory body's Nov. 19 meeting.

With the recommendation of its Economic Development Committee, the board recommended sending a letter of support for the RBSCC's application to receive grants provided by the New York Main Street program to make aesthetic improvements for one block of Knickerbocker Avenue between Hart Street and DeKalb Avenue.

Following that vote, the community board also threw its support for the organization's request for funding from the New York City Department of Transportation's Public Plaza Program to renovate the intersection of Myrtle and Knickerbocker avenues near the entrance to the Knickerbocker Avenue subway station.

Making avenue a 'Main Street'

The RBSCC previously applied for and received grants under the New York Main Street program in 2004 and 2006 to make improvements along various sections of Knickerbocker Avenue. Earlier this year, the organization also received a grant to cover a portion of the shopping strip between Starr Street and DeKalb Avenue.

The Main Street program is directed by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal and directs funds annually to non-profit organizations to improve façades, buildings and streetscapes in business districts throughout the Empire State.

Grants are provided to and distributed by the community groups covering up to 75 percent of the costs incurred by business and building owners to renovate their stores and properties. Landlords and/or business owners would be responsible for footing the remaining bill.

Reportedly, the grant program offers up to $30,000 per commercial unit and up to $30,000 per affordable residential unit. No more than $120,000 may be provided to any one building.

In the latest application, the RBSCC is seeking $500,000 in Main Street grants to create "a strategically-located commercial destination in this near-empty block" to "attract pedestrian traffic towards the northern portion of the commercial strip," according to information provided by the RBSCC to Board 4's Economic Development Committee.

The project, as noted by the nonprofit group, would bring "economic and social benefit to the target area and to all businesses and residents of Knickerbocker Avenue north of DeKalb Avenue.

Some of the details of the oneblock improvement plan are as follows:

• Creating four commercial units in seven currently vacant buildings between 314 and 334 Knickerbocker Ave. Residential spaces above the ground floor in each building would be transformed into 38 "privately funded, market rate" condominium units.

The retail spaces would feature large storefront windows as well as open interiors, storefront lighting and street greenery, as noted in the RBSCC plan.

• Renovating a vacant threestory structure at 323 Knickerbocker Ave. to include a new ground floor storefront and retail or office space on the upper floors.

• Improving 12 apartment units (including seven currently vacant dwellings) located within 317 and 319 Knickerbocker Ave., including upgrades to heating, security and fire safety systems. The project would also feature the renovation of two ground floor retail units.

• Improving the appearance and services within an eight-family apartment building located at 313 Knickerbocker Ave. Two of the apartments would be transformed into affordable housing units.

Should the RBSCC receive the grant—which may be awarded as early as this spring—the project may begin in Fall 2009. Under this timeline, all work would be on track for completion by no later than Spring 2011.

Bushwick's public plaza

With the intersection of Myrtle and Knickerbocker avenues burgeoning with foot and vehicular traffic on a daily basis, the RBSCC submitted a plan to the DOT to create a public plaza at the crossroads, noted District Manager Nadine Whitted during last Wednesday's Board 4 meeting.

The DOT, as noted, administers the New York City Plaza Program, in which the agency collaborates with community groups to develop plazas along generally underused streets in neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs.

According to Whitted, the RBSCC proposal specifically focuses on creating the public plaza at the northwestern corner of Knickerbocker and Myrtle avenues, close to the northern entrance to the Knickerbocker Avenue M train station. This space, as described, is currently empty.

Rachel Fuentes of the RBSCC told board members that the plan would bring additional sanitation and security services to the corner while providing a safe passageway for pedestrians crossing the street. The group is seeking support from other agencies and groups in the area, including the 83rd Precinct, the Parks Department, the Myrtle- Irving and Knickerbocker Avenue merchants associations and the Northern Bushwick Residents Association.

Under the program, Fuentes explained, funds would be allocated to create the public plaza; additional funding must be sought to operate programs at the location after the project is completed.