When Traffic Is Good

In Brooklyn, planning tools can be used to harness increased neighborhood traffic for good.

1 minute read

March 1, 2005, 9:00 AM PST

"Mega-developer Forest City Ratner's plan to build a 19,000-seat arena and 7.7 million square feet of new housing, office and retail space at Brooklyn's Atlantic Railyards doesn't have to be a quality-of-life cataclysm for the neighborhoods of north Brooklyn."

Although some in nearby neighborhoods are concerned that the stadium will negatively impact their area, it could benefit them if a concrete series of planning techniques are utilized. The developer must acknowledge that potential traffic congestion is a quality-of-life issue that, if reduced, could be good for business and good for the neighborhood. "The arena must include minimal parking...and event tickets should include discounts and incentives for transit users...[it should also] require London-style tolls for those who wish to drive on the gridlocked streets of downtown Brooklyn [and funds should] be used to improve mass transit and cycling access, to make it even easier to get around the city without a car."

Thanks to David Gest

FULL STORY: Quality of Life: Not About Squeegie Men Anymore

Wednesday, February 23, 2005 in New York Press

Transportation New York

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