And Here’s a Look at the Potential New 13th St. Permanent Bike Lane and Temporary Changes to 14th St.

On Saturdays Aug. 3, 10, and 17th, enjoy 8 hours of car free streets on Park Avenue S, Union Sq E and 4th Ave, with countless programs and activities from 7AM to 3PM. Summer Streets provides space for healthy recreation and encourages New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation.

Say sayonara to Sumile Sushi on 13th St. near 7th Ave. Started out as super high-end Japanese and morphed into expensive sushi. It always seemed overpriced, even before the recession. Here’s hoping something new and interesting will take over the space.

Are you aware of the proposed MTA/DOT “L” train closure plans?

The MTA/DOT plans include a vehicular ban on 14^th Street (between 3^rd Ave & 9^th Ave) for 16-21 hours a day:

 The ban will seriously impede the daily activities of thousands of 14^th St. residents and businesses and will divert cars and trucks to residential side streets – with a 50% projected increase in traffic

The increase will be felt by the West Village, Village, East Village, Chelsea and the Flatiron Districts.

The proposed plans also includes a radical re-design of 13th Street with a two-way Bikeway:

MTA/DOT projects 2,000 – 5,000 cyclists DAILY on 13^th Street 

The bikeway, coupled with a 50% increase in traffic, will seriously impede residential, educational, and emergency services on the street placing pedestrians and bicyclists at risk

The 14th Street Coalition is a growing group of residents and business that was formed in response to the MTA/DOT plans.

We ask the MTA/DOT to balance residential and transportation needs in a more equal way. They MUST consider the impact that will be felt on the quality of life concerns including air pollution, noise, congested streets and increased risks to pedestrians and bicyclists. 

We understand that the Canarsie Tunnel must be repaired.  We seek a temporary solution that is EQUALLY fair to residents, businesses and commuters. 

It’s Time to Take Action – Sign our petition (go to www.change.org and browse: 14^th Street Coalition), join the 14^th Street Coalition on Facebook for links to sample letters to send to our elected officials,

Email us at  14thstcoalition@gmail.com for more information.

The flowers are back on sale at the corner deli on 13th. Problem solved.

What used to be Wok to Walk on University Place between 12th and 13th is now Sausage Inc. selling…sausages.