Take A Load Off: (Odd) New Seating Appears On Montague

By on February 12, 2013 7:37 pm in Architecture, Brooklyn Heights, Streets

Can’t say we quite get this… A trio of aluminum benches has appeared along Montague Street, randomly in front of Montague Cleaners & Laundry and Ghandi Palace at 140 Montague, across from Grand Canyon. These are the type of seats typically found in front of bus stops… and curiously(?), they face the interior of the street, instead of facing outward. They are, mind you, attractive… Stand by for BHA’s take… (CT)

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  • Joe A

    They are exactly like the one’s that have been on Court Street for some time. And why is it curious that they would be facing the sidewalk and storefronts?

  • Jorale-man

    Yes, I think most of these do face the storefronts as opposed to the traffic. They’re not a bad idea in principal but I’ve noticed that the one in front my office building in Manhattan is often taken over by smokers. Hopefully that won’t be the case here.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlsiLOnWCoI Arch Stanton

    Why is that curious, would you rather sit facing a parked car or truck with people walking behind you?

  • Joe A

    That’s my point, Chuck was the one curious.

  • Madison

    I think they will get used by people waiting for their laundry (in the warmer months).

  • Wiley E.

    Next thing will be a billboard posing as a bench.

  • travy

    this a busy section of sidewalk. not sure this a good idea

  • DIBS

    Only in NYC can people get riled up over benches for sitting.

  • GHB

    Why not put them in front of Connecticut Muffin, Au Bon Pain, etc. so you can sit and enjoy your coffee?

  • Sunflower

    DOT installed this bench, probably at the request of the local BID. I love the bench, especially its wide seats, but it was designed for a more hip and industrial
    type of a neighborhood, and the Design Commission and DOT should
    commission a more historic type of bench design for historic retail
    corridors.

    DOT’s CityBench program provides the citizens of New York City with
    attractive, durable benches in heavily pedestrianized areas such as bus
    stops and retail corridors, and areas with high concentrations of senior
    citizens. Launched in 2011, the program has added 1,500 benches to
    locations through the city’s five boroughs.
    The CityBench had its origins as a bench designed and developed for
    placement at various locations in NYC’s SW Chelsea neighborhood. The seats are extra wide because Ignacio Ciocchini – Vice President, Design of the Chelsea Improvement Company, observed that existing seating did not allow for sufficient social space between
    users, nor did it accommodate different body types.

  • http://twitter.com/duckumu nick

    Wish they’d use the same classic NY benches you see in city parks and the Promenade. Not only are these modern benches tacky and ugly, they’re going to be white hot in the summer.

  • DIBS

    Never ending complaining about the benches!!!

  • travy

    it’s also very crowded during the day and this bench will make it worse.

  • GHB

    I think that they use a material that stays cool in the heat, so no ass tattoos expected

  • MonroeOrange

    Firstly, hardly anyone is complaining…they are pointing out that this may not be a good use of valuable sidewalk space, as it is a main thorough fare for foot traffic….at noon, the sidewalks are jammed packed, too crowded for a bench…its simply a case of not using their judgment when implementing this. Its great for the elderly who may need to sit when walking around, which is great…but maybe not the best places to put them.

  • disqus_mbZoRRXajF

    Accommodate different body types? Fat people got fat by sitting too much in the first place.

  • disqus_S5uJVK2JgO

    au bon pain? where?

  • Joe A

    Catchy screename by the way.

  • GHB

    Sorry… Le Pain Quotidien. I knew there was Pain involved!

  • Knight

    Tattoos? More like branding!