‘A Creative Solution with a Practical Application’
Design approach
* View the intersection as a celebration of coming together of different users
* Reverse existing user hierarchy and bring pedestrian and bicyclists to the heart of 4th Avenue
* Rethink 9th street as a unique neighborhood street and 4th avenue as a vibrant activity corridor
* Transform existing sidewalk & bikeways into special recreational spaces

Field observations that guided design
* Bicyclists prefer sidewalks over bike lanes due to perceived unsafe conditions
* Lack of dedicated left turn signal leading to increased user conflicts
* Absence of commuter amenities such as bus shelter, bike racks, benches

9th Street Improvements
*Pedestrians: Proposed widening of northern sidewalk to create Prospect/Gowanus Way - a 38’ wide green corridor envisioned as an extension of Prospect Park running through residential neighborhoods and extending upto the Gowanus Canal. It accommodates a 22’ wide landscaped pathway with seating and allows recreational opportunities for the local residents. *Bicycles: Combines the existing 1-way bike-lanes into a 10’wide 2-way bike path and becomes an attractive link that connects local attractions. This creates a safe, dedicated bike path away from moving vehicles, while eliminating existing issues such as bike accidents, pedestrian & bike conflicts on sidewalks and double parking incidents. *Vehicles: Proposed Serpentine Street with a 3’ wide landscaped median helps address problem of speeding and gives the street a unique identity

4th Avenue Improvements
*Pedestrians: Proposed ‘Median Way’- a 31’ wide activity corridor envisioned as a linear plaza including vendors, recreational spaces, seating, bike racks and other amenities that will add drama, provide economic stimulus and give a unique identity to the thoroughfare.*Bicycles: Introducing a secured, dedicated bike path expanding connectivity to local destinations in north-south direction * Vehicles: Introduction of left turn signals reduces traffic conflicts. Dedicated left turn lane reduces traffic blocks created by large trucks and helps streamline traffic flow. Proposed AM/PM peak hour travel lanes & restricted parking regulations will address peak hour car back up (identified as a major problem in survey) and help manage travel demand.

Intersection as a Multi-modal Plaza: Proposing a textured pavement raised to the sidewalk level. This design of the intersection area as an elevated plaza would have painted bike lanes and cross-walks, cautioning all road users of the multi-modal conflict areas. As motorists are gently led up the ramp onto the plaza, they would be encouraged to slow down and take notice of the approaching intersection. This would lead to a situation of vehicles entering a pedestrian space rather than other way round.

Subway Treatment – suggested collage of paintings using themes of Industrial Gowanus and residential Park Slope, celebrating the history of adjacent neighborhoods

While the proposal successfully establishes a circulation hierarchy of pedestrian first, cyclists second and vehicles third, the strength of this design lies in the fact that basic needs of all travel modes have been addressed and many aspects of the design have the potential of being applied at other intersections and streets throughout the city.