David Yassky

Pols Press Nets Traffic Fix (New York Daily News)

BY JOTHAM SEDERSTROM DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

IN THE FIRST comprehensive plan to tackle an expected traffic glut near the proposed Nets arena, two lawmakers are calling for a Grand Army Plaza-style circle near the site, among other ambitious measures.

In an April 2 letter to city and state officials, Councilman David Yassky and Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries laid out a wide-ranging list of remedies to handle the 3,000 extra cars an hour expected to flood downtown Brooklyn at peak times once the controversial $4.2 billion project is completed.

"Everybody who lives near the area knows that traffic is already a nightmare on Atlantic and Flatbush Aves., but when the arena is built, the traffic will be utterly disastrous," said Yassky (D-Brooklyn Heights), who said that if developer Forest City Ratner refuses to fund the ideas, the money should come from the city and state.

The recommendations, ranging from tunnels and overpasses to increased parking meter fees and express buses, comes as a response to an environmental impact statement that anticipates gridlock at intersections near the project but offers no solutions.

Among the most ambitious ideas are three options to combat traffic at Flatbush, Atlantic and Fourth Aves., including a circle, a tunnel under Atlantic Ave. and an overpass on Flatbush Ave.

"The core point is that that intersection is already impassible for hours each day, and it will only get worse," Yassky said. "I don't think you can deal with traffic in the area without first dealing with that intersection."

The recommendations are outlined in a letter sent to Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff and Pat Foye, the new chairman of the Empire State Development Corp. They include:

• A Park Avenue-style overpass on Flatbush that would rise over both Atlantic and Fourth Aves.
• Designing the arena so that all loading and unloading of trucks takes place off the street.
• Express buses on Atlantic and Flatbush Aves.
• Reducing tolls at the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to divert traffic away from free bridges such as the Manhattan Bridge.
• Free LIRR, MTA or ferry passes with each Brooklyn Nets ticket sold.
• Raising the cost of parking meters in the area to discourage commuters from driving.
• Readjusting traffic lights to allow pedestrians more time to cross Atlantic and Flatbush Aves.

A spokesman for Doctoroff said city officials would not rule out the recommendations, but declined to discuss specific ideas in the four-page letter.

"As with any large project, the city will consider the recommendations of local elected officials and proposals to help mitigate traffic problems," said spokesman John Gallagher. "We have budgeted funds to improve infrastructure in the area and will comply with the [environmental impact statement]."

The 22-acre project calls for a Frank Gehry-designed pro basketball arena for the Nets and 16 towers with residential and commercial space.

Daily News
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