Many Flatbush residents are up furious over a proposal to turn Avenue M and East 15th Street (Elm Ave) into a pedestrian plaza full of cafe tables with umbrellas, and permanently close the street. FlatbushScoop.com has previously published a list of reasons why this may not be the smartest idea.

Now, NYC Councilman Mike Nelson released a statment slamming the idea, citing many reasons why this is a bad idea – including the problems this may cause Flatbush Hatzolah while responding to emergencies in the community:

Council Member Michael C. Nelson strongly opposes a proposed pedestrian plaza (“Dorman Square”) on Elm Avenue at the intersection of East 15th Street and Avenue M in Midwood in response to a loud outcry from numerous concerned constituents. This ill-advised project will only create an “attractive nuisance,” according to Councilman Nelson, serving no useful public purpose, while disrupting traffic patterns in an area already plagued by gridlock, and posing a serious threat to the safety and quality of life of community residents.

In order to convert Dorman Square into a pedestrian plaza, it will be necessary to close Elm Avenue at East 15th Street, preventing the merger of eastbound traffic from Elm Avenue into Avenue M. Tables and chairs are proposed to be set up to allow shoppers to relax, converse and enjoy the outdoors. The idea of such a pedestrian plaza has been successfully established at other locations in an AESTHETICALLY PLEASING ENVIRONMENT. According to the feedback Councilman Nelson has received from community residents, East 15th Street and Avenue M is the WRONG LOCATION for a pedestrian plaza. The proposed location is already congested and is DIRECTLY ADJACENT to both the noise and fumes from the heavy traffic on Avenue M, as well as high idling trucks stopping for the traffic light under the echoing trestle. In addition, there is the Brighton Line overpass with trains continually rumbling overhead with large flocks of birds gathering under the overpass creating an unsanitary condition. “Not the place that my constituents would want to gather to relax and converse,” said Councilman Nelson, who added, “Dorman Square will serve no useful purpose and will not result in any positive contribution to the community.” In addition the Midwood community has a nearby facility, Kolbert Park, on East 17th Street off of Avenue M which provides the opportunity for residents to converse and enjoy the outdoors in a more pleasant environment.

While providing no benefits, the proposed project presents several serious threats to the quality of life of the community. Those driving to Avenue M must presently contend with an unusually heavy volume of traffic particularly from Coney Island Avenue to the location where Elm Avenue currently intersects Avenue M between East 15th Street and East 16th Street. This is the result of cars travelling within the neighborhood as well as visitors from other areas in Brooklyn traveling to the popular businesses on Avenue M, the many schools in the area as well as to residences. Things have become even more complicated because of the recent changes in the filming operation at JC Studios occupying the block on Avenue M from East 13th Street to East 14th Street. The filming operation has changed from filming “soap operas” in a self-contained operation within the building to the filming of feature films bringing additional traffic (particularly large trucks) seriously impacting traffic flow and the availability of parking spaces. Further and more important than inconvenience to drivers is the impact of the disruption of traffic patterns on police, fire and ambulances responding to emergencies.

In addition, our volunteer ambulance service Hatzolah will have even more difficulty driving northbound on East 15th St from Avenue N, with an additional street being closed and the traffic being cluttered. Dorman Square will close an important “safety valve.”

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