FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 20, 2014

NINE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS RE-IMAGINE BROOKLYN

4TH AVENUE/9TH STREET TRANSIT HUB
Park Slope/Gowanus: On November 21, nine local community groups will display mock canvas
store fronts, way finding signs, cardboard props, examples of public art, and interactive media
focused on improving the street level appearance of the 4th Avenue/9th Street transit hub. Created at
workshops sponsored by Park Slope Civic Councils Fourth on Fourth Avenue Committee
(FOFA), and partnering community organizations (Arts Gowanus, Brooklyn Center for
Independence of the Disabled, the Fifth Avenue Committee, Gowanus Canal Conservancy, Make
Brooklyn Safer, the Old Stone House & Washington Park, Park Slope Neighbors, and
Transportation Alternatives) the materials help illustrate ways the MTA could respond to a growing
public demand to Fix This Public Space
Noting that the transit hub daily serves over 13,000 commuters, FixThisPublicSpace project
coordinator Grace Freedman observes, Simply put, we deserve better. The station is a gateway to
the vibrant Gowanus and Park Slope neighborhoods. Its time to open a constructive community
conversation with the MTA and elected officials about livable street amenities that could improve
the station without big ticket capital expenses. And we need a time-line for planned work.
The event will take place between 2 pm and 7 pm on November 21 at 4th Avenue and 4th Street
(outside the JJ Byrne Park). A press conference, with community comments, will take place
from 2:30 to 3:30 pm and Assemblywoman Joan Millman (who has secured past funding for
station improvements) is scheduled to attend.
The event has been made possible, in part, through a matching grant from ioby (In Our Back Yard)
and the Transit Center. Originally scheduled as a pop-up installation at the station, the location was
changed because of MTA notification that scaffolding removal was scheduled to take place on the
day of the event. The public is urged to stop by during the day and contribute ideas about transit
hub improvements.
For more information, and photos/videos from past workshops, go to parkslopeciviccouncil.org.

Media contacts: Grace Freedman, grace@5freedmans.com 718 858 4847

SJ Avery savery9823@aol.com 917 509 1613
(co-chairs, FOFA)