Grand Army Plaza Public Realm Study
Summary of November Workshop and Survey
Background & Overview
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Prospect Heights Study Public Realm Study Overview
Background
As part of the 2023 budget, the city allocated $1.8M to conduct a Capital Project Scope Development (CPSD) study for: – Grand Army Plaza – Vanderbilt Avenue – Underhill Avenue
DOT is partnering with the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and local stakeholders to conduct this study over the next few years
DOT and DDC Public Outreach Strategy:
– Presentations to city agencies, local organizations and community boards, as well as elected officials – Initial idea gathering workshops, workshops of initial designs, and final presentation of study findings – Initial Grand Army Plaza Workshop held on Nov 16 th – Initial Grand Army Plaza Survey open November 8th through November 30 th
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Community Background – Prospect Park Surrounding Communities (2014-2018 ACS)
Grand Army Plaza draws people from and influences a large portion of Brooklyn
Race & Hispanic Origin
Population Age (Median age (years) 36)
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Quick Facts & Indicators*
Commute to Work (Mean Travel Time: 42 Minutes)
*Data Source: 2014-2018 American Community Survey (ACS) NYC Planning Labs. NYC Planning Population Fact Finder. New York City Department of City Planning.
Workshop Summary
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Workshop Participation
Where Did Participants Come From?
Approximately 270 members of the public attended the open workshop (remaining attendees were DOT staff). Most attendees (72%) were predominately residents who live in Park Slope or Prospect Heights.
Workshop Participation
How do people travel through the Plaza?
During the workshop introduction, participants were asked to identify how they travel to, or through Grand Army Plaza. Participants were able to select all that apply.
Most participants walked, bike, or used public transit.
How do you travel to or through Grand Army Plaza (Choose all that apply)
Workshop Participation
General thoughts on the existing conditions at Grand Army Plaza
In general, participants noted that the improvements made over the past decade have made Grand Army Plaza better. Most participants noted that there were still things that could be improved. Some participants thought the current conditions were fine.
Difficult and complex crossings was one of the most noted issues identified.
Congestion on Union St was repeatedly mentioned.
“Past changes have made things much better, but more is needed”
“The complexity of the existing plaza make it uncomfortable to navigate on foot”
“The pedestrian experience is frustrating”
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Workshop Participation
General thoughts on the CPSD Study Goals
Participants noted high level issues that should be considered as part of the study, including:
• Broader view of effects to surrounding communities
• Study of park space in addition to roadway space
• Comprehensive outreach strategy to stakeholders
“Any substantial traffic closures/reroutes should study impacts to adjacent neighborhoods”
“Human scale should be considered, the scale of the space is too big to understand and plan ahead”
“Would additional public space be disruptive to surrounding residents?”
“The study should be comprehensive, and include the berms and parkland”
Workshop Participation
General thoughts on the “Range of Ideas” presented for discussion
“This would make the spaces look better, but not feel better”
“We can dream bigger than this”
“Makes sense and would be an improvement”
“Tradeoff’s between improving the southern side of the plaza at the expense of the north side should be identified and studied”
“Option three is the only one worth studying”
Workshop Participation
“Range of Ideas” Poll
At the end of the workshop, participants were asked to pick one “Idea” that best fit with their vision of Grand Army Plaza.
Most participants (60%) preferred option 3. A notable percent of participant think another concept should be developed.
Workshop Participation
General thoughts on the workshop structure, outreach, and materials
- As Grand Army Plaza influences such a large portion of Brooklyn, more focused outreach to smaller communities
was suggested
• Expand identified stakeholder list to include more organizations and interested parties borough wide
- Work with local Community Boards and Elected’s to ensure notice of future engagement sessions is shared
- Improve graphical representation of the “Big Ideas” to provide more information and clarity, and allow for more
detailed feedback
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November 2022 Survey Results
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Survey Participation
Where Did Participants Come From?
A total of 2,077 people participated in the Grand Army Plaza Public Realm survey. Most
respondents (over 91%) who participated in this survey were residents of Brooklyn. Responses were
also gathered from the other four boroughs.
Approximately 73% of respondents live within 1.5 miles of Grand Army Plaza Response to survey question: “What is the closest intersection to your home?“ nyc.gov/dot Results from 1,973 out of 2,077 (95%) participants that provided a valid home intersection
Survey Participation
What are respondents’ relationship to Grand Army Plaza?
A majority of respondents visit the nearby institutions, Prospect Park, or GrowNYC Greenmarket. Many respondents live nearby.
Most respondents (77%), are daily or weekly users of Grand Army Plaza.
Relationship to Grand Army Plaza Public Realm (Select all that apply)
Results from 2,077 participants
Survey Participation
A majority of respondents (87%) walk to Grand Army Plaza. Most bicycle (63%) or take transit (55%).
Please indicate how you travel to and from Grand Army Plaza. Select all that apply.
Survey Participation
What do people like about the current conditions of Grand Army Plaza?
A majority of respondents (79%) like the current programming in the plaza.
A variety of other items were included in the openended responses.
What are the best things about Grand Army Plaza currently? Select all that apply.
“Great location to observe neighborhood changes and people watch“
“Historic charm and beauty.”
“A palace for the people, especially when combined with the Central Library and Brooklyn Museum. A fulfillment of the belief that the people deserve it all. A great place to meet your friends before heading into the park. A great place to people watch. A Central Brooklyn crossroads. One of Brooklyn’s most iconic places. A gathering place for protest and political dissent.”
Survey Participation
What do people NOT like about the current conditions of Grand Army Plaza?
The most selected item (78%) that respondents do not like about Grand Army Plaza is the interaction points with vehicles.
A variety of comments were included in the open-ended responses.
“It’s a mess”
“Feels very disconnected from surroundings due to the traffic and sheer size of the streets… intimidating to navigate”
“Long waits to drive through the circle”
it is a traffic circle that doesn’t flow because of all the confusing, restricted lane barriers and the improper placement of traffic lights.
Survey Participation
What do people want to see in Grand Army Plaza?
The most selected item (78%) that respondents want to see implemented in Grand Army plaza is additional protected pedestrian space.
Which specific public realm amenities or traffic calming elements would you like to see implemented in the Grand Army Plaza study area? Select all that apply.
Open Response
Are there additional ideas that you would like to see implemented in the project study area that would address traffic safety concerns for all road users?
Common Written Comments in Support of Larger Scale Changes (445 comments)
» Make it Car Free (215+ mentions)
• “I think Grand Army Plaza should be car-free, and be an extension of Prospect Park”
» Bury the Roadways or Build Pedestrian Overpasses (40+ mentions).
• “Create a way for pedestrians to easily cross roadway w/out contact w/cars: bridges, underpasses, etc.”
» Improve Pedestrian Connections and the Public Space (90+ mentions)
• “As a pedestrian, the plaza should connect to the park and feel seamless between the plaza and the neighborhoods.”
» Make improvements while maintaining vehicular access (30+ mentions)
• “I think the traffic patterns and signal timings should be reworked but I don’t believe making it completely car free is just for the surrounding neighborhoods and connection points.”
• “I bike through Grand Army Plaza multiple times a week, and the traffic pattern is so confusing.”
• “Please make it easier to get to the park or cross Grand Army Plaza”
Common Written Comments in Support of No Changes (60 Comments)
» It’s fine as is (40 mentions)
• “Leave it as is. It’s fine.”
» Maintain vehicular access (2 mentions)
• “lease leave it alone. Making it pedestrian P-only would severely impact too many commuters and area residents that drive or depend on disability vans and buses. Pedestrians already have sidewalks and the entire park.”
Open Response
Are there additional ideas that you would like to see implemented in the project
study area that would address traffic safety concerns for all road users?
Other Common Written Comments (299 comments)
» Maintain Vehicular Access (70+ mentions)
- Comments written that simply state vehicular access should be maintained, but don’t mention if any changes should be made » Increase Enforcement (60+ mentions).
- Many comments calling for increased enforcement, either of vehicles speeding or running red lights, illegal motorized vehicles in bike lanes, or pedestrians crossing against the signal » Calls for a comprehensive study (20 mentions)
- “I am concerned about doing something that creates open space for predominantly white communities while pushing traffic and more pollution into black and brown communities. Open spaces and street closing aren’t equitable in NYC.”
- “I want to make sure that neighbors who live south of the plaza and depend on this artery are considered in this decision. Many who depend on cars because public transportation is not reliable/available.” Out of 1,270 responses nyc.gov/dot
Next Steps
- NYC DOT will continue working with DDC and local stakeholders at outreach events in 2023
• Outreach events will seek input from communities that are not directly adjacent to
Grand Army Plaza • NYC DOT will undertake study to reduce
congestion on Union St (repeatedly mentioned both in virtual workshops and survey)
• NYC DOT will continue to review for additional short-term improvements within the plaza
Out of 1,270 responses nyc.gov/dot
Thank You!
Questions?
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