Myrtle Ave. Plaza To Feature Stage, Leisure Space

Architects unveiled their plan for a new pedestrian plaza on Myrtle Avenue that will feature a green space for lounging, as well as a more open area that could accommodate performers on a small stage.

The designers presented the plans for the two blocks between Grand Avenue and Emerson Place to about 45 locals at Benjamin Banneker Academy.

Details were few at the meeting, but the sidewalk will be extended to cover what now is a service road, forming the new plaza. Also, seating of some sort will be in part of the space.  

“We’re focused on not making this feel just like a wide sidewalk,” said Mark Minkley, a landscape architect with the firm AECOM. “We want to make it feel like you’re moving through a variety of spaces.”

The new plaza is the centerpiece of a of the sidewalks and streets of Myrtle Avenue between Hall Street and Emerson Place. Under the plan, the median of the service road (part of it will remain in place) will be extended, as will the sidewalks. New trees will also be planted and bike racks will be installed.

The project will also claim around 60 parking spaces, according to Vaidila Kungys with the Department of Transportation; an issue likely to rear its head again in the future. (Project designers added that they were examining the possiblity of more metered parking on Myrtle Avenue to minimize the loss of spaces.)

But at Tuesday's meeting, many of the locals in attendance were skeptical of the design, saying its aesthetic appeared somewhat disjointed.

“The plaza feels a little divided, it could maybe use a little opening up,” said Doug Bowen. “Maybe less is more with this.”

Michael Haggerty added, “The plaza looks like it’s separated into four areas. Maybe it could benefit from doing four things well rather than a whole lot of things at once.”

Other concerns included the lighting of the plaza, as well as possible security measures to prevent loitering late at night. Architects said that they would reexamine their designs with all the suggestions in mind. Construction of the project is expected to be completed sometime around August 2013.

For the most part, locals lauded the spirit of the design, which is to make the congested and sketchy thoroughfare more pedestrian friendly.

But at least one man, Joe Gonzalez, was opposed to the entire project because he saw it as an unnecessary expense given that the Pratt Playground was only one block away on Willoughby Avenue.

“It’s insane when you build a new park when you have one right around the corner!” Gonzalez said.

Updated on Feb. 2 at 1:10 p.m. to add a necessary attribution regarding parking spaces, as well other minor clarificatons.