thanks for posting this- the survey took about 4 minutes.

Good points Brenda. I, too, wonder how this survey is going to address some “real change” issues. It’s true that the businesses THEMSELVES need to have a vested interest in promoting the change on their street. Brenda is right: many of them don’t see a need for cleaner streets, trees, better mobility for cars, bikes, or even people, and therefore, any “imposed” changes (unless enforced through fines and such), will be minimal and not truly deal with the problems to make a noticeable difference. For all we know, the business owners are going to complain that they can’t triple park, that there are pesky cyclists, or that things are “just fine the way it is”.

If Paula Crespo or someone from the Pratt Center for Community Development could outline what exactly this survey is going to do and the actions it will spearhead, it may make us all feel like there’s going to be a pro-active stance in REAL changes.

I agree that i would like to see something actually happen, and that means that i am going to participate in every way I can to make that happen.

Brenda, I think the purpose of the survey is to get people who actually live here (us) to start talking about what we would like to see in our neighborhood. I think that no effort or thought has been made in quite a long time and that’s why Church and CIA have a “who gives a crap” appearance. The solution to making our neighborhood a better place for all of us is not to declare trying to start a discussion or make some sort of effort for a neighborhood with “no realistic prospects of change” useless. If you think both of these places are fine the way that they are, than you should fill out the survey with that view. I think you will be in the minority. I for one am willing to do whatever I can to see my neighborhood be a more successful, happier, healthier place. Pratt and Paula Crespo want to help it, let’s let them.

And this isn’t just about Church and CIA. A healthy, happy, successful Church and CIA will do nothing but good for Cortelyou, Flatbush, and Kensington that surround it.

It’s up to us to make it happen. I don’t want to see any more negative B.S. on here.

Harrumph, lest I be obliquely accused of “negative B.S.,” let it be known that I have taken the survey and shared my deathless thoughts in all good faith. I want it to be like the commercial now, instant gratification: “Windows 7 was my idea!”

I took the survey and said I think planting trees and enforcing traffic and parking would be a great start, along with a median strip. Maybe if it looks nicer and traffic is safer, people will actually want to walk along CIA which would attract more businesses etc… I’m still loving the new planting down at the circle. Don’t see why that couldn’t extend up CIA, other than, well $$$.