New Clock on Newkirk Plaza

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

Have you seen the new clock on Newkirk Plaza? It’s part of the amenities package that includes the benches, bike racks, planters, and trash cans that are also already placed around the Plaza, and it’s all shaping up really nicely. Can’t wait to see some trees and flowers this spring.

- Mary

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  • chuck

    I have always loved the Ditmas Park area, and finally got to explore a few blocks south from Cortelyou to Newkirk. Newkirk Plaza is a gem! I can’t say that I’ve seen anything like it in NYC. It’s straight out of London – not central London, but the village neighborhoods a couple zones out. 

    I’m very jealous, but hope to see it more this Spring. Congrats on the beautiful space!

    C: 

  • Ocean Ave Resident

    Thanks from a South-Ditmas Parker!  I agree that the Plaza is totally unique in NYC.  I share your hopes that it stays clean and pristine.  I have only lived here a short while (less than 2 years) but apparently the Plaza was not always the nicest place to pass through.  If you go to the parallel streets (Marlborough and E 16th) you can still see some of that grittiness.  But with the variety of businesses located there (awesome shoe repair Alex’s, reliable Pizza from Lo Duca, reasonably-priced organic goods from Plaza Gourmet, etc.) I am very happy and proud to call it my home subway stop.

  • Jeb Hart

    It would be great if the metal high fence on the bridge over the tracks was replaced by the nice iron fence inside the plaza.  The view of the entire plaza is cut off from Newkirk Avenue.  The change would be huge. How can we make this happen?

  • Ocean Ave Resident

     Agreed.  Hopefully this is something that FDC also has in mind and just wanted to work on the interior of the Plaza first.  They have done a great job so far: new bricks laid, the clock, planters, benches, lighting and repainting the walkway to Marlborough, etc.

  • flatbushfred

    Also, note the new doors on the station entrance! 

  • flatbushfred

    Plugging Newkirk Plaza businesses: don’t forget Leon’s haircutting, Newkirk Station Wines and Liquors and Almac Hardware.  Great local businesses.

  • Art Vandelay

    Very true! That corrugated metal barrier is so ugly!! Getting rid of it would completely change the face of the north end of the plaza. 

  • Jamie

    What and where is South-Ditmas Park?

  • Ocean Ave Resident

     It’s a made-up term I use to describe the area south of the “typical” Ditmas Park stretch along and parallel to Cortelyou.  If you don’t buy it, then I guess it’s nowhere…

  • Marguerite

    <3 <3 <3 that new clock!

  • GUest

    I never understand how this is not a plaza full of outdoor cafes

  • Ocean Ave Resident

     Not sure who owns the ground/bricks in front of the storefronts.  It’s probably the city/MTA since it is technically a train station.

  • Jamie

    The stores are in the neighboring private buildings, which front on Marlborough or East 16th Street.  The station itself is MTA  (state) property.  There’s nothing keeping the MTA from entering into a franchise or concession agreement to allow a retaurant to put chairs and tables out.  Unfortunately in most places the plaza isn’t all that wide, given the volume of foot traffic it gets during rush hour.  I really wish they had decked over the express tracks during the renovation.  It could have made a really great neighborhood public space, but that probably would have been prohibitively expensive.

  • Ocean Ave Resident

     But if they did that, where would people throw their empty drink bottles and old clothing?

  • SJ

    I’d give it a week until someone’s car was on the subway tracks.

  • Meredith

    Restaurants have to apply for special zoning permits – I think with the Dept of Buildings and a few other city agencies…but it would be nice!

  • Jamie

    Newkirk Plaza is zoned C2-4, which allows restaurants.  They would  need a Special Permit and Consumer Affairs license to open a sidewalk cafe, but Newkirk Plaza isn’t a sidewalk.  In fact, as state property, they don’t even have to comply with local zoning if the property is used for public purposes, which could be interpreted to include providing commercial amenities to subway riders using the station.