Outer Borough Riders Cram Subways

A new report by the Center for Urban Future [pdf] shows that over the past decade, North Brooklyn subways stops have some of the largest ridership increase in the City. The L line alone has 13 stations in the list of top 50 fastest-growing stations, the J line 5, and the G 4. Some local highlights to ponder while you’re waiting to see if you can get on the next train:

  • Ridership at the Bedford station is up almost 10,000 riders per day, a 118% increase
  • Morgan Avenue is up close to 3,000 rider per day, at 128% increase
  • The Metropolitan/Lorimer stop on the G train has seen 6,000 more riders per day, a 103% increase
  • Grand Street on L is up close to 6,000 riders, a 78% increase
  • Graham, Wilson and Halsey are all up 60% or more (over 7,000 more riders per day between the three stations)
  • Marcy Avenue on the J/M/Z is up 50% (3,000 riders per day)

Ridership on the G train north of Metropolitan is up, but not nearly as significantly – Nassau Avenue is up about 1,500 riders per day (23%); Greenpoint Avenue is up 1,000 riders per day (15%)

Here’s another fun fact: the Environmental Impact Statement from the 2005 waterfront rezoning predicted an increase of 1,000 riders per day at the Bedford L stop. Since most of the development from that rezoning has yet to come online, you can expect even more crowding. Of course the EIS had a solution to this overcrowding – widen the stairs into the Bedford L station, and increase the number of trains on the line. The staircase hasn’t gotten any wider (yet another unfulfilled promise), and the L line was already pretty much at capacity when that report was written.

Remember too that the MTA has eliminated service on the Z train, reducing the capacity of the one line that could relieve crowding on the L line.

The Wild Bunch

As bike riding gets safer in NYC, one long-time cyclist says bike riders should learn to play well with others. “Outlaw” (or more accurately, “scofflaw”) cyclists are often cited in anti-bike lane screeds (check the comments section in just about any Kent Avenue blog posting). Anyone who rides on two wheels enjoys a bit more freedom than cagers on four wheels, but as with loud pipes on a motorcycle, there is a not-too-fine-line between freedom and being a jerk.

Greenpoint Courier, R.I.P.

I just got word that the New Corporation, which owns the Courier-Life line of local papers, is closing its Greenpoint Courier edition. The Williamsburg Courier (and, I guess, other local editions across Brooklyn and Queens) will remain in operation.

Unfortunately, the closing of the paper also means that local report Aaron Short has been laid off. Aaron did a great job of covering local stories. And despite all the talk of blogs being the new local news, there is still a place for good reporting on a local level. (I don’t pretend to be a reporter, and most local bloggers probably shouldn’t either, though there is certainly a feeding cycle to blog stories/newspaper stories – we are all sources for each other.)

We will miss you, Aaron. I guess this is one more reason to be pissed off at Courier management.

North Brooklyn Story Project

03/09/2009 | Comment

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NAG (Neighbors Allied for Good Growth) has been doing a series of town hall meetings over the past few months, trying to get people engaged on different aspect of life and activism in Williamsburg and Greenpoint. One of the projects to come out this is the North Brooklyn Story Project, which seeks to compile an oral history of the neighborhood and its denizens. They’re having a meeting for volunteers this week (Wednesday the 11th), in anticipation of a training session at Brooklyn Historical Society later this month.

What: North Brooklyn Story Project Introductory Meeting
When: Wednesday, March 11th, 7 p.m.
Where: Neighbors Allied for Good Growth headquarters: 101 Kent Avenue at 9th Street

The North Brooklyn Story Project is looking for people with stories to share about our community, and people who can listen to and record these stories.

Do you have a story to tell about life in Williamsburg or Greenpoint? A memory, a snapshot of life here today, an interesting interaction with community members? Do you know a neighbor or shopkeeper or friend with a story to tell? If so, you’re invited to become part of the North Brooklyn Story Project.

The first step? To find people interested in telling their stories and people interested in interviewing them. Together, interviewers and storytellers will create an archive of North Brooklyn stories that all of us can use to feel connected to our diverse neighbors and neighborhoods – past, present, and future.

No special skills or equipment required – just ears and a voice. If you’re interested, please come to the North Brooklyn Story Project Introductory Meeting, on Wednesday, March 11th, at 7 p.m. The meeting will take place at NAG headquarters (101 Kent Avenue at North 9th Street). At the meeting, we’ll discuss an upcoming training to be offered to our group by the Brooklyn Historical Society, as well as your ideas for making the project a success.

For more information, please contact Gregor (g [dot] nemitzziadie [at] gmail [dot] com) or Rachel (rachtree [at] gmail [dot] com).



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Biker Killed by Alleged Drunk Driver

On Greenpoint Avenue. SUVs making left-hand turns are usually not healthy for bikers (motorized or not). An SUV making a left-hand turn with a drunk behind the wheel is 100 times worse.

Rezoning Greenpoint & Williamsburg

03/08/2009 | Comment

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At its March 2nd meeting, the City Planning Commission voted to certify the Greenpoint-Williamsburg Contextual Rezoning. This rezoning seeks to preserve the character of 175 blocks in Greenpoint and Williamsburg by introducing height limits and introducing some areas of inclusionary (affordable) housing. The contextual rezoning was originally proposed by Councilmembers Yassky and Reyna during the course of the 2005 waterfront rezoning. Community Board 1 has been working with City Planning staff for almost three years to bring this large rezoning forward (a small area of Grand Street was rezoned separately last year).

City Planning did a couple presentations on this rezoning in the Autumn. A that time (contra Grand Street), most of the sentiment was that this rezoning didn’t go far enough in terms of limiting height or density. Yes, the a lot of the horses have left the barn on the height limit issue, but it is better late than never. (And though it took a while to get through the City Planning process, most of the “finger buildings” in the affected area were grandfathered years ago.) And as with Grand Street (and the 2005 rezoning and its follow-ups), the aim on the density side to be as neutral as possible, which means a small decrease in allowable FAR, but not a downzoning in the classic sense.

City Planning will be formally presenting the plan at CB1’s next public hearing (17 March, 6:30 p.m. at 211 Ainslie Street). Coincidentally, City Planning will be making a presentation on proposed text amendments to the City’s inclusionary housing program – the big change there is the inclusion of an affordable home-ownership option.



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