Fowler Square Plaza Voted Best New Public Space of 2012

Fort Greene's much-talked about new pedestrian plaza has been recognized by a local transportation blog as the best new public space of 2012. 

Fowler Square Plaza, which occupies S. Elliott Place between Fulton Street and Lafayette Avenue, was selected by readers in the Streetsblog 2012 NYC Streetsies.

With 44 percent of the vote, the plaza beat out other public spaces on the ballot including the permanent 78th Street play street in Jackson Heights, Corona Plaza in Corona and the 171st Street Triangle in Ridgewood. One hundred forty-four people voted in the poll.

The Plaza was recently made a permanent fixture of the neighborhood, with Brooklyn Community Board 2's transportation committee unanimously voting in favor of the project. The committee voted in December 7-0, with one abstention, to support the conversion of the plaza from a temporary public space to a permanent one, Streetsblog reported.

Before the December vote settled the issue for good, the idea of making the plaza a permanent part of Fort Greene was often discussed. Some residents were initially displeased with the development, saying permanent decisions should not be made until the full effect the Barclays Center has on traffic is understood.

The committee vote in December followed a Department of Transportation presentation showing that Fowler Square Plaza has had a minimal impact on traffic and is overwhelmingly popular with businesses, plaza users, and nearby residents, Streetsblog noted.