The Department of Transportation, accompanied by Borough President Eric Adams, business owners, and members of the Nostrand Avenue Merchants Association, will add longer metered parking times for Nostrand Avenue, the departments Brooklyn commissioner announced on Thursday, July 28.
The addition of longer meter parking times and the reduction of truck-loading on Nostrand Avenue — from Empire Boulevard to Parkside Avenue — will allow drivers to park longer and shop more along the busy B44 Select Bus Service route.
“Nostrand Avenue is also one of Brooklyn’s most vibrant commercial strips and we were happy to follow-up to ensure that parking and loading regulations meet the needs of the community,” said Keith Bray, Department of Transportation’s Brooklyn commissioner.
“We continue to remain committed to working with local businesses and their customers while at the same time addressing concerns about keeping vehicle and bus traffic moving. I think we have struck a proper balance.”
The Nostrand Avenue Merchants Association, a local organization committed to the livelihood of local businesses, reached out to the Department of Transportation in 2015, to discuss how truck-loading, short meter times, and the Select Bus Service was affecting shoppers and businesses. With research, the Department of Transportation decided effective changes for Nostrand Avenue. Local businesses owners were delighted with the news.
“Over on Rogers Avenue — what we were experiencing with the lane being taken away during morning and afternoon commutes — was that we were getting ticketed on a regular basis,” said Danii Oliver, owner of House of Juice. “I hope to get meters on Rogers Avenue, so people can come and park all day.”
The new parking regulations will prolong meter times and reduce truck-loading, increasing the number of potential customers for businesses, as drivers will not have the fear of getting ticketed for traffic violations, one local business owner said.
“It takes a lot of from my business — people will double park, up and down block — sitting in their cars, to avoid truck loading restrictions and the bus lane,” said Mark Schwartz, owner of Little Mo Wine and Spirits.
“Getting rid of that will let people actually park their car and not worry. That will encourage more people to stop by and see what’s going on.”
