New Task Force Aims to Give Fourth Avenue a Makeover

Fourth Avenue’s transformation into a “” will be more than just pipe dream if Borough President Marty Markowitz gets his say.

Markowitz—who has cthe lesser boulevard as the next Fifth or Seventh Avenue—has formed a new task force to oversee projects that will help transform the avenue from a into a beautiful boulevard, “from Atlantic Avenue to the Atlantic Ocean.”

Among the task force’s initiatives will be enhanced safety measures, beautification of subway median vents, tree planting along the entire avenue, from Flatbush Avenue to Shore Road and designing better use of the newly expanded Times Plaza at the intersection of Fourth, Atlantic and Flatbush avenues.

“This signals a new era for the Fourth Avenue corridor,” said Councilmember Steve Levin of the plan. “Fourth Avenue has so much potential and I look forward to having a safe and vibrant thoroughfare that spans the length of Brooklyn.”

Two months ago, the city proposed a plan that would turn Fourth Avenue into a “ The plan aims to turn Fourth Avenue into a “lively mixed-use neighborhood” with “a vibrant mix of commercial and community facilities” by requiring to developments to devote ground floor space to retail and community facilities, rather than pepper the avenue with the bleak backs of buildings and parking garages.

Markowitz first spearheaded an i the avenue with his “Vision for the Fourth Avenue Corridor,” which was released in May 2010. The plan proposed to transform the avenue into a “Brooklyn Boulevard” through traffic-calming measures, streetscaping, placemaking and wayfinding improvements and community partnerships. He has also earmarked $2 million for improvements to the subway station.

Since then, several city council members as well and neighborhood organizations such as thehave thrown considerable support behind movements to better the avenue.

“For years now, I have called for the transformation of Fourth Avenue into a signature street worthy of the great neighborhoods it traverses, and street-level retail is a necessary requirement to facilitating a vibrant and active street life,” said Markowitz.