It’s happening before our eyes: Fourth Avenue is changing and it’s changing fast.

New construction and more people means there’s a growing need for better services. These changes will be among the issues to be discussed at the Park Slope Civic Council’s upcoming annual public forum, The Future of Fourth Avenue.

This forum, which is open to the public, will be held on Thursday, March 4, 7:00 P.M. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Ninth Street.

A panel of experts will talk to the community about Fourth Avenue – what has been happening, what challenges we face, and the opportunities we have to create a great community here.  These authorities will make insightful presentations, discuss the issues, and give thoughtful responses to questions. Panelists include: Craig Hammerman, District Manager, Brooklyn Community Board Six; Ethan Kent, Vice President, Project for Public Spaces; Ryan Lynch, Senior Planner, Tri-State Transportation Campaign; David Sweeny, Developer; and Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director, UPROSE.

The Park Slope Civic Council has long been working hard to improve Fourth Avenue. Among the projects it has advocated for are:

•    Eliminate the left turn lane from northbound Fourth Avenue to Union Street. The Civic Council, with the enthusiastic support of Assemblywoman Joan Millman, got the NYCDOT to fill in this left turn lane to create a pedestrian refuge, providing safety for those crossing this busy intersection, to and from the Union Street R train station;
•    Include a public garden in the vacant lot at Fourth Avenue and Sackett Street (an access point to the City’s Third Water Tunnel);
•    Fund tree plantings on Fourth Avenue;
•    Reopen the closed entrance to the Fourth Avenue F subway station on the east side of Fourth Avenue (between Ninth and Tenth Streets); and
•    Reopen the retail spaces adjacent the Fourth Avenue F subway station.

This is a forum for ALL who are concerned about the future of the Fourth Avenue corridor, and your attendance and input are needed to build a better Fourth Avenue.  You are welcome to participate even if you don’t live or work in Park Slope.