Community calls for safer streets amid traffic concerns

During a recent community board meeting, residents voiced their concerns and suggestions regarding traffic and safety on Greenwich Avenue. A long-time resident highlighted the street's inefficiencies for vehicles, noting that despite appearing to be a shortcut between 6th and 7th Avenues, it is actually slower due to traffic lights. The speaker advocated for transforming Greenwich Avenue into an open street, which would enhance safety for pedestrians, particularly children exiting nearby PS 41, and reduce congestion caused by fast-moving traffic.

The discussion also touched on the presence of community facilities such as the Jefferson Market Library and Jefferson Market Gardens, which could benefit from reduced traffic. The resident emphasized that calming traffic could potentially save lives, especially given the proximity of a hospital on 7th Avenue.

Concerns were raised about the increasing visibility of homelessness and drug use in the area, particularly near Washington Square Park, suggesting that making the street more open could improve safety and visibility.

The meeting included a dialogue about the feasibility of emergency vehicles accessing open streets. City officials confirmed that emergency vehicles could navigate these areas with the assistance of volunteers to move barricades when necessary.

Another community board member expressed condolences for a recent loss in the community and raised questions about the safety of Greenwich Avenue, which is designated as a truck route. They suggested that the street might be better served as a one-way road to alleviate congestion and improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

Overall, the meeting underscored a collective desire for improved traffic management and community safety measures on Greenwich Avenue, with various proposals aimed at creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment.