Goodwill Arrives on West 14th St.

Here’s the pretty big news about upcoming traffic redesign and new pedestrian areas in and around Union Square:

A plan to reshuffle traffic around Union Square and add a new pedestrian plaza nearby has been given the final green light after months of contentious debate.

Community Board 5 voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Department of Transportation’s plan for the square despite continuing cries from a group of vocal residents who say the changes will only make traffic in the congested neighborhood worse.

The revised plan, which the DOT will begin implementing in the coming months, will restrict traffic to one-way westbound on E. 17th Street between Broadway and Park Avenue South.

Broadway will be narrowed to one lane from 17th to 23rd streets, and a new pedestrian plaza will be added to the east side of Broadway between 17th and 18th streets. The exact design of the plaza, including whether or not it will have tables and chairs like Herald Square and Times Square, is still up for debate.

To improve traffic on Park Avenue South, southbound cars will be prohibited from turning left at 18th Street, while northbound cars will be banned from turning left onto 19th and 23rd streets, among other restrictions.

Numerous dedicated turning lanes will also be added, in addition to new protected bike lanes and revised parking schemes.

The DOT’s Ryan Russo said the department hopes the plan will make the stretch more pedestrian-friendly, less chaotic and cut accidents in half.

Nonetheless, a handful of residents continued to complain that they’ve been left out of the decision process and haven’t been given enough time to consider the changes.

“I think this plan is being rushed to the extreme and rammed down neighbors’ throats,” lawyer Milton Meyers, 63, a 20-year resident of 18th Street and Irving Place, told the standing room-only crowd at the CB5 meeting Thursday.

Artist Silvia Kolbowski, who has collected more than 300 neighborhood signatures opposing the plan, accused the DOT of caring less about improving safety than pushing through another pedestrian plaza as part of a larger city plan.

“If the issue was safety at the crossings, then surely this plan is overblown,” said Kolbowski, 56, who has lived on East 18th Street at Park Avenue South for a decade. The plan, she said, will create “nothing but chaos.”

While such opinions were overwhelming when the idea was first presented back in April, opposition has faded as the DOT has made revisions, including dropping an initial plan to completely shut down Broadway to traffic between E. 17th to 18th streets at certain times of the day.

Numerous organizations, including representatives from New York University, the Union Square Green Market, the Union Square Partnership, and Transportation Alternatives have now joined in support of the plan.

“This neighborhood has a chance to have some significant safety improvements that other neighborhoods are clamoring for,” dance instructor, Detta Ahl, 31, who lives in Morningside Heights but frequently cycles in the area, told the audience.

The plan was ultimately adopted on a ‘pilot’ basis, with a provision that the DOT return in three and six months after implementation to report on the results.

What is a Winter Warrior, you ask? For our dedicated neighbors who have braved the rain, sleet, snow and Polar Vortex to find the perfect butternut squash, you are a Winter Warrior! The friendly farmers at the Union Square Greenmarket would like to show you some appreciation.

You can pick up a Winter Warrior card at the Market Information tent and every time you check in, you’ll be able to earn rewards from these producers:

• Andrew’s Local Honey – Free Baby Honey Bear
• Anthony Road Winery – $2 Off any Bottle of Wine
• Consider Bardwell Farm – $1 Off any purchase of $5 or More
• Greener Pastures – Half Price on 1/4 lb of Sprouts
• Healthway Farm – 10lb Bag of Potatoes
• Hot Bread Kitchen – Free Chocolate Cherry Roll, Concha, M’smen, or Bialy with any purchase
• Lucky Dog Farm – 1.5lb Bag of Onions
• Martin’s Pretzels – Free $2-bag of Pretzels, or a Chocolate Pretzel
• Northshire Farm – $4 Off Any 4lbs of Vegetables
• Terhune Orchards – 5lb Bag of Baking Apples
• Troncillito Orchards – Half Gallon of Cider, or a Bag of Apples

The promotion runs through March 31st

If you’re curious about the plans for the New School’s new construction on our block, there will be a public presentation on February 17. Here’s how the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Presentation is billing it:

On Wednesday, February 17 at 6:30 pm The New School (TNS) will make a public presentation of its current plans for a new development at 65 Fifth Avenue, between 13th and 14th Streets. Having originally proposed a 300-350 ft. tall building rising straight up over the entire site which would have required several zoning variances, TNS is now proposing a much smaller, 16-story, 189 ft. tall (plus mechanicals) building which will set back above the 6th floor and which conforms to the existing zoning for the site. The presentation will be similar to that which was made to GVSHP, other community groups, and elected officials in December. The plans are not yet finalized at this time, but do contain significant details about TNS’ thinking and progress on the design.

The fact that the mass and height of the proposed building has been reduced significantly from prior proposals in a very positive development. However, GVSHP does have concerns about the metal and glass design currently being contemplated for the facade of the building. The public presentation to Community Board #2’s Institutions Committee will be an opportunity to learn more about TNS’ plans for the site, ask questions, and provide feedback about the project.

Attend the public presentation on Wednesday, February 17th at 6:30 pm at the St. Vincent’s Hospital cafeteria on 12th Street.

Bon Jour to Patisserie Fouet on 13th St. just steps away. High-end delicacies with a Japanese twist. You can read all about them in their liquor license application.

P.F. Chang’s has finally opened on the corner of University and 13th, golden horse included. However, Eater.com hates it. A lot.

Here’s the news: “The New York City Water Board voted on Friday morning to approve a 14.5 percent increase for water and sewer rates, the largest increase since 1992. When the new rate is in place on July 1, according to the city’s Independent Budget Office, water rates will have risen a cumulative 77 percent since 2001, and double-digit increases are expected to keep coming for at least a few more years.”

This is one of those uncontrollable costs that bedevil the co-op’s budget every year. The only thing we can do about it: use less water. We’ve already taken steps to examine our infrastructure and make sure we have discovered any sources of waste and leaks. Other than that, it’s all about less consumption.