I like that fact that it’s almot exclusively mom & pop stores.

From a Ditmas Parker’s perspective, bike lane is pretty unnecessary, and I ride every day. To get to Coney, you can take any of the lovely streets down the west side of the train line down to Avenue X or so, and then switch over to Coney Island.

In fact, the way I discovered DP was on such a ride as I was heading back to Prospect Park. I had no idea that our little haven existed.

Could Coney Island Ave it be prettier? Sure. Is it worth disrupting traffic for? Questionable. And with Coney Island slated to become some corporate playground, I’m concerned that by ‘improving’ the Avenue we’re going to supplant some of the auto repair joints with banks.

I’d be quite happy with banks on CIA. At least I could find a reputable bank ATM near where I live. And sure beats the look of double parked auto shops. Honestly, I think CIA would do well to put the larger anchor stores, banks, what have you, while leaving the mom and pops on the intersection roads (Church, Cortelyou, Ave whatever letter of the alphabet).

@Scott, you make a good point. If we disrupt traffic off of CIA, then they will start rumbling down our precious side streets…

@the poster who mentioned pedestrians crossing against the light at CIA/Cortelyou- one of those lights is VERY quick. It’s too fast and I do wind up jumping it (with my stroller so I can’t move as fast) as soon as I know it’s about to change. Not sure if a little longer to cross would help the problem or not.

The CIA/Cortelyou pedestrian crossing light is indeed MUCH too short – the one in front of George’s Diner. Anyone who is skeptical, please take a look next time you walk there! I wrote to the Dept. of Transportation about it & they basically told me it’s fine. (I’m going to write to them again and send them the link to this discussion.) I’m glad that we have this conversation going – there are so many little things, such as retiming pedestrian crossing signals, that would vastly improve Quality of Life in our neighborhood.

Onalistus, are you offering to maintain my lawn? People’s kindness never ceases to amaze me.

Double parking on a busy street like CIA potentially poses hazards to both drivers and pedestrians no matter how safe you are. Yes one call to 311 can be deemed lame but my SUGGESTION was for others to call in since it was a recurring complaint by some commentators…its called power in numbers.

Oh and I moved on from diapers just last week, tighty whities are the bomb! A beer garden in one of the auto shops with a huge palm tree and some lawn chairs out front would absolutely rule. I’ll buy the first frothy round for the day laborers.