Comments on: If a 26.2-mile, Half-Day Street Closure Generates $188M… http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/11/07/if-a-262-mile-half-day-street-closure-generates-188m/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:31:30 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: someguy http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/11/07/if-a-262-mile-half-day-street-closure-generates-188m/comment-page-1/#comment-10518 someguy Wed, 08 Nov 2006 14:39:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/11/07/if-a-262-mile-half-day-street-closure-generates-188m/#comment-10518 I could NOT believe how quiet Flatbush Avenue was in the closed portion. I crossed at Lafayette Ave (Schermerhorn St) where it was completely closed to traffic. You can't imagine just how silent the air was -- barely a sound. I felt my NYC background stress level melt away, like the feeling I get when I get out of the city for a hike. It was soooooo nice. I think we completely lose sight of just how much noise regular, everyday traffic makes. Speaking of the Marathon, we were watching it on Lafayette Ave in Fort Greene. There was a great energy in the crowd and it felt like the community was really coming together. We headed further up where there was a DJ spinning excellent selections and inviting passing marathon runners to dance, and as the marathon tapered off it turned into a spontaneous dance party in the streets. It was a riot and so much fun. Of course I'm a tried and true streets wonk, but it takes real experiences like the silence of a closed Flatbush Ave and the partying in the streets of the marathon to remember what it is we're fighting for! I could NOT believe how quiet Flatbush Avenue was in the closed portion. I crossed at Lafayette Ave (Schermerhorn St) where it was completely closed to traffic. You can't imagine just how silent the air was -- barely a sound. I felt my NYC background stress level melt away, like the feeling I get when I get out of the city for a hike. It was soooooo nice. I think we completely lose sight of just how much noise regular, everyday traffic makes.

Speaking of the Marathon, we were watching it on Lafayette Ave in Fort Greene. There was a great energy in the crowd and it felt like the community was really coming together. We headed further up where there was a DJ spinning excellent selections and inviting passing marathon runners to dance, and as the marathon tapered off it turned into a spontaneous dance party in the streets. It was a riot and so much fun. Of course I'm a tried and true streets wonk, but it takes real experiences like the silence of a closed Flatbush Ave and the partying in the streets of the marathon to remember what it is we're fighting for!

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