FORT GREENE —The Fowler Square Pedestrian Plaza is on the way to becoming a permanent fixture in Fort Greene.
Brooklyn's Community Board 2 recently approved a redesign of the plaza — bordered by South Elliott Place, Lafayette Avenue and Fulton Street — to keep it permanently car-free.
"There has been a lot of public support," board member Hemalee Patel said at a CB2 meeting on Wednesday. "We know it's beautiful and it's working."
The redesign includes newly planted trees, lights, planters, seating, tables and pathways — which will preserve some parts of the temporary design that turned the car thoroughfare into a pedestrian mall in May 2012 under the Department of Transportation's Plaza Program.
The plan will go before the Public Design Commission in January and, if approved, construction of the permanent plaza is scheduled to start next fall.
There was "widespread community support" for the permanent design following a presentation to neighbors in October, according to DOT Plaza Program manager Emily Weidenhof.
The new design puts a greater focus on the statue of Civil War general Edward B. Fowler, while the proposed planting colors — red and blue — will call to mind those worn by the general and his soldiers.
The DOT granted more than $2.5 million for the Fowler Square redesign, according to Brownstoner.
