Starting in 2020 as a response to COVID-19, Vanderbilt launched an Open streets initiative, closing down Vanderbilt from 4 PM- 11 PM on Fridays and 11AM to 11PM Saturday and Sunday. This is a total of 31 hours that a major Brooklyn traffic artery is shut down to vehicular traffic,including public buses, delivery drivers, taxis and private citizens.
While Open streets has shown to have some benefits to some local businesses, 3.5 days a week for eight months is too large a burden on the community at large.
The PHNDC and DOT need to listen to the concerns of the majority of the neighborhood. During the shutdown days:
Revisit the 31 hours/week, 8 months a year Vanderbilt Open Streets now.
UNPCH sent out a survey to local residents to gather feedback on how these changes have been impacting them. Here is what they have to say:
"As a senior citizen, I cannot gain close access to the supermarket, nor can l park near to stores anymore because of the block being shut down from Atlantic Ave to Park Pl. This is unconscionable inconvenience to the community. City government is supposed to protect the community, not inconvenience it."
"No bus and my elderly mother has to walk many avenues over to catch the bus, can’t grocery shop. And most importantly, our emergency vehicles can’t get through. God forbid it’s a fire or some other emergency. I don’t understand why you need dining in the street when the boroughs biggest park is right there."