Rethinking Jay Street

City Tech Hosts Symposium Exploring Future of Jay Street in Downtown Brooklyn

Brooklyn, NY—October 1, 2014—City Tech will host a symposium on October 7, 2014, exploring the future of Jay Street as the linchpin of Downtown Brooklyn’s maturation. “Rethinking Jay Street,” will take place on the City Tech campus at 300 Jay Street, Namm Hall 119, 6:00-8:00pm.
Jay Street is one of Brooklyn’s most dysfunctional corridors.  Pedestrians, bicyclists, buses, taxis and private vehicles all compete for space on this chaotic street.  But it’s not a lost cause.  Over the past year, Transportation Alternatives has worked to make Jay Street a safer place to walk and ride, envisioning a future without double-parked cars, constant illegal u-turns, and chronically obstructed bus stops and bike lanes. 

Across the globe, the very nature of urban centers is evolving, with great emphasis on sustainability and energy conservation, knowledge production, health and welfare, economic development, social vitality and civic involvement.

At the Rethinking Jay Street symposium, urban planners, policy makers, and community members will bring their insights to this discussion to help define a new vision for Downtown Brooklyn.  They will consider topics such as the qualities of 21st century cities, remaking streets, urban accessibility, sustainable modes of transportation, place-making, social vitality, and civic involvement.

Speakers include Mike Lydon, The Street Plans Collaborative; Jessica Dailey, Curbed NY; Ryan Grew,Downtown Brooklyn Partnership; Caroline Samponaro, Transportation Alternatives; and Jason Montgomery, City Tech, with opening remarks from Council member Stephen Levin.

Short presentations will be followed by a panel discussion, hosted and moderated by City Tech Professor Ben Shepard.

"Everyone knows Jay Street is a mess. Cars double-park, often in bike lanes. Students navigate between u-turning cars, without clear protections, and there are fewer amenities drawing them to stay in the area after classes.  A rapidly developing hub, located in the downtown of a global borough can and must do better," notes Shepard, who rides his bike to the college every day.  

For more information contact: Benjamin Shepard at 917-586-7952 or Eric McClure at 646- 522-2589.

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New York City College of Technology (City Tech), of The City University of New York, is the largest four-year public college of technology in New York State and a national model for technological education. City Tech has an enrollment of more than 17,000 students in 66 baccalaureate, associate and specialized certificate programs. www.citytech.cuny.edu

When: October 7th, 6-8 PM

Where: 300 Jay Street, Namm Hall 119  

What: Rethink Jay Street
For more information contact: Benjamin Shepard 917 586 7952
Erc McClure 1 646 522 2589