Yesterday reader Laura asked:
[There’s] a brand new parking designation on Columbia Heights where it would intersect Middagh St. The two signs and cones just appeared recently forbidding parking in that very small space. I’m wondering, though, if this has anything to do with the proposed bridge/walkway that will connect the promenade to the Brooklyn Bridge Park?
We were able to get a picture of the new signs and cones this morning (see photo). Judy Stanton, Executive Director of the Brooklyn Heights Association, explains the situation:
When Middagh St was closed to cars on the overpass between Willow Street and Columbia Heights ages ago, because it cannot bear the weight of cars; it didn’t occur to the NYC DOT that this no standing anytime signage was needed.
But folks have opportunistically parked [there]. I’m guessing that somebody complained about cars blocking what is being used as a people crossing. I’ve heard rumblings at CB#2 about unsafe crossing there.
In fact the PS 8 kids have been crossing there, accompanied by teachers and parents, to play in Squibb Playground while their playground has been a construction site for the new annex. I imagine it was thought to be unsafe to have cars there blocking easy visibility for adults to lead kids across without being out in Columbia Heights. The latter condition is temporary, because eventually the playground is to be reconfigured, AND as Laura notes, the construction of the pedestrian bridge [from Squibb Playground to Brooklyn Bridge Park] will be underway in the not distant future.
