Will “Slow Nabe” Status Make Prospect Heights Safe for Pedestrians?

B65 new temporary bus stop

Photo: B65 new temporary bus stop by threecee

Brooklyn has slow food, slow wine, and now… slow nabes. And Prospect Heights may lead the way, though some people say it’s a “waste of time” and “band aid” that won’t impact the zoom zones in major thoroughfares like Classon and Vanderbilt, where drivers routinely blow through yellow lights.

Block associations and Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council want to turn Prospect Heights into a “Neighborhood Slow Zone.” The speed limit will drop to 20 mph (down from 30 mph), new speed bumps would be installed, and “slow zone” signs and striping would be painted at neighborhood boundaries.

“Once the Barclays Center opens in September, the influx of “cut-through” traffic from cars avoiding major roads will only make the situation worse,” Danae Oratowski wrote regarding the potential slow zone for Prospect Heights.

Sounds great… but the slow zone would NOT include Atlantic, Flatbush, Vanderbilt, or Washington Aves. “Another waste of time band aid,” one resident says. “The [Barclay’s] center is still under construction and blamed for something that is happening now.”

“Classon is just one of the raceways in the area … Drivers often take full advantage of the yellow light condition and speed thru rather than anticipate the upcoming red signal. Franklin, Bedford, Washington and Vanderbilt not much better. The police need to … Get some officers doing speed monitoring asap.”

If you support the Slow Zone, you can sign this online petition.