WILLIAMSBURG — A new pedestrian plaza featuring cafe tables, chairs and planters may soon open at Union Avenue and North 10th Street.
The Open Space Alliance submitted an application to the Department of Transportation's Plaza Program — an effort to create public spaces in neighborhoods lacking in open space — for a plaza at the intersection, according to the DOT.
The proposal, which also includes redesigned features at Union Avenue and Roebling Street, is intended to enhance pedestrian safety and has already been presented to Williamsburg's Community Board 1.
Several crosswalks on Union Avenue at both North 10th and Roebling streets will decrease in distance for pedestrians under the plan.
Most notably, the crosswalk at North 10th Street would be reduced from 107 feet to 30 feet to accommodate the plaza.
Farther north, the crosswalk at Union Avenue and Roebling Street would be reduced from 68 feet to 38 feet, the DOT said.
Two crosswalks would also be added across Union Avenue heading toward the plaza, according to DOT.
The proposed plaza would be similar to the one in South Williamsburg, at Bedford Avenue and Broadway, with planters, flexible safety guards, umbrellas, and folding metal cafe tables and chairs.
No streets would be closed to car traffic with the new plaza, which would be maintained by the Open Space Alliance.
Some 390 pedestrians cross the street at the intersections during peak hours, and nearly 840 cars pass through during peak traffic hours, according to a presentation by the DOT.
If Community Board 1 votes to approve the plan next month, DOT would implement the plaza in the spring of 2016.
