To Whom it may concern,
My name is Dr. Desmond Browne. I run a family practice on Washington Avenue and I love Prospect Heights! What a special place. I immigrated to the US from Saint Vincents to go to college. I worked my way through college, then medical school. Eventually I launched the family practice on Washington Avenue in 2003. I do general and family medicine. We have the full range of medicine from all the way to tertiary care and back down.
My patients come from all over. Locally of course, but also Long Island and New Jersey as well. Most of my patients drive to my office. When Vanderbilt is shut down for the Open Streets program, the traffic is diverted to Washington. My patients have a much harder time getting to my office due to the congestion. It is awful and makes no sense. They also redesigned Underhill Avenue, which also adds to the traffic on Washington Ave. as the changing direction of one way to two way and back again, forces cars to come up around Washington. So to me, I cannot see how the redesign makes people safe, I actually think the contrary is true that it makes people less safe. I had never heard of many accidents or dangerous issues on Underhill. They should return it to the way it was. I understand they would want to reduce cars, but then they have to think about other people who have different livelihoods.
I am affiliated with Presbyterian, which used to be methodist Brooklyn hospital and downstate Hospital. I’m an attending physician. I admit patients there. I need to be mobile between the different places I work. I think the congestion actually makes it more dangerous as the people are zipping by with their bikes, and in and out of traffic.
I actually think Vanderbilt and Underhill really needs to be rolled back and there has to be a higher level of sensitivity for the merchants. Open Street does affect not only the street that the event is happening on, but it affects the entire neighborhood. There has to be a lot more consultation and greater thought process. The businesses on Washington are losing business due to the congestion by Vanderbilt and Underhill.
Sincerely,
Dr. Desmond Browne
Washington Avenue Medical Office
778 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11238
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