Third Ave. Merchants take big step forward for ‘Summer Stroll’
A proposal from the Merchants of Third Avenue business group to hold another “Summer Stroll on 3rd” event in Bay Ridge this July and August cleared its first major hurdle when a key committee of Community Board 10 voted unanimously in favor of the plans Tuesday night.
A negative vote by Board 10’s Traffic and Transportation Committee could have stopped the project in its tracks.
But following a public hearing at PS 102, 211 72nd Street, the committee voted to recommend to the full community board that the project be given the go-ahead. The full board will vote on the plan when it meets on Feb. 25. The measure is expected to pass. The board will send its recommendation to the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), which has the final say. The event would be part of DOT’s ‘Summer Streets” program. Under the program, major thoroughfares around the city are closed to vehicular traffic to allow pedestrians to enjoy outdor activities.
The Merchants sponsored “Summer Stroll on 3rd” on four Friday nights last summer. Cars were banned from an eight-block stretch of Third Avenue from 81st Street to 89th Street, leaving the avenue open for pedestrians to stroll, shop, eat ice cream, and listen to strolling musicians.