Hi neighbors. I received the note below from DOT and wanted to let you know about it. There are ample opportunities to see design proposals and share feedback. The ideas will directly impact and improve our buildings, neighborhood and overall quality of life. Please consider attending and spread the word in your respective buildings.

DOT has included Grand Army Plaza and the open streets on Underhill and Vanderbilt in a larger conversation it calls the Grand Army Plaza Prospect Heights Public Realm. It is all connected, and GAP is the keystone.

DOT is considering a range of options for GAP. I advocate for a more radical rethinking of the Grand Army Plaza road configuration to address major pain points: traffic, noise, and pedestrian access to the park and library. However, there are strong opinions on all sides and change is hard. If you care deeply, or simply want to see what they are considering, I suggest attending one of the workshops. They kick off this Saturday at the Greenmarket.

From DOT

We are reaching out to invite you and your community to one of our upcoming public workshops for the Grand Army Plaza and the Prospect Heights Public Realm Capital Visioning. These drop-in events provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions and speak with DOT staff about the proposed concept ideas, as well as provide valuable feedback for the future development of the designs.

• Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket, Saturday, June 15, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

• Vanderbilt Open Street, Saturday, June 15, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Vanderbilt Ave. and St. Marks Ave.)

• Brooklyn Public Library Plaza, Monday, June 17, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• Fort Greene Senior Citizens Council, Thursday, June 20, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (966 Fulton St.)

• Virtual meeting, Tuesday, June 25, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

• Medgar Evers College, Wednesday, July 10, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Crown St. and Bedford Ave.)

Friends of the Berms

Our friend Wendy R. leads the Friends of the Berms group and has been assiduously tending to the berms and verges. Email the group at wr.nyc@hotmail.com if you would like to be on the distribution list for clean-up opportunities. The group meets most Saturday mornings from 10:00 to 12:00.

How you can help PSBA and Grand Army Plaza

I am often asked what folks can do to help. I welcome help in all forms. Here are a few suggestions.

Spread the word. I would like to build up our distribution list again. If you live in a large building on Plaza Street East or West, St. John’s, Butler and nearby, please share this note with your building list or building link.

Focus where your interest lies. We advocate for GAP across multiple police precincts, numerous elected officials, community boards and neighborhood organizations. There are also always opportunities to get your hands dirty and help clean up. If you have a particular interest, or relationships you want to use on the plaza’s behalf, let me know.

Join a few lists. These groups are good at communicating what is going on in the neighborhood: Park Slope Civic Council, PHNDC, Community Board 8, Council Member Crystal Hudson’s mailing list, Council District 39 and the Prospect Park Alliance.