February 12th, 2016

Mr. Thomas Prendergast

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
Polly Trottenberg
Commissioner
New York City Department of Transportation
55 Water Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10041
MaryAnne Gilmartin
President & Chief Executive Officer
Forest City Ratner Companies
1 MetroTech Center North
Brooklyn, NY, 11201
RE:

Redevelopment of Times Plaza in Brooklyn

Dear Chair Prendergast, Commissioner Trottenberg, and President Gilmartin:

We write to request that your organizations work together to develop and implement a
comprehensive plan for Times Plaza, and the intersection of Atlantic/Flatbush/Fourth Avenues,
that improves safety for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and passengers and creates a great public
open space that is not diminished by agency boundaries.
On Wednesday, January 27th, 2016, during a public meeting at the Brooklyn YWCA, the New
York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) presented a preliminary proposal for the
redesign of Times Plaza to more than 50 community members from the surrounding
neighborhoods of Park Slope, Boerum Hill and Fort Greene. Residents have long awaited plans to
improve the safety and usability of this heavily trafficked public space, which lies at the
intersection of Atlantic Avenue, Flatbush Avenue, and 4th Avenue, across from Atlantic Terminal
and Barclays Center. However, despite the well-intentioned additions of pedestrian amenities,
like chairs, benches and bike racks, public feedback on the project has spotlighted two important
issues that must be addressed.
NYC DOT must develop and implement a plan to address traffic safety concerns by incorporating
increased pedestrian protections in the final design of the plaza. Anecdotally, the experience of
crossing both Atlantic Avenue and Flatbush Avenue from Times Plaza is nightmarish, with many
pedestrians describing their experience as taking their life into their hands. Unfortunately, this
experience is borne out by data: between January and July of last year, there were nearly 100
crashes at Times Plazas three cornersand, on July 13, 2015, a cyclist was killed and seven
people were injured by an SUV driver traveling on Atlantic Avenue between Flatbush and Fourth
Avenues. Without incorporating the necessary safety provisions, the plans for the redesign of
Times Plaza are dangerously incomplete.

Furthermore, we were disappointed to learn that the NYC DOT, Forest City Ratner Companies,
and the MTA NYC Transit have not yet worked together on the redesign of Times Plaza,
considering that the station house building under MTA jurisdiction amounts to approximately half
of the plaza space. From both a design and safety point of view, it is a missed opportunity and,
frankly, irresponsible to leave this area out of conversations about the plaza's future. Creating a
comprehensive design that incorporates both pieces of land under the NYC DOT and MTAs
jurisdiction will only augment Times Plazas potential to serve the community as a pedestrian
refuge and a vibrant public space. We strongly encourage all three of your organizations to work
together to incorporate the community's feedback into the redesign of Times Plaza.
While we acknowledge that this increased collaboration could extend the timetable for the Times
Plaza projects implementation, we believe a well-designed plaza that meets the needs of the
community is well worth the wait.
Thank you for your time and attention. If you require further information, please contact Susie
Charlop in Council Member Landers office at 718-499-1090 or at scharlop@council.nyc.gov.
Sincerely,

Brad Lander
New York City Council Member

Jo Ann Simon
New York State Assemblywoman

Laurie A. Combo
New York City Council Member

CC:

Velmanette Montgomery
New York State Senator

Walter T. Mosley
New York State Assemblyman

Stephen T. Levin
New York City Council Member

Veronique Hakim, President, MTA New York City Transit