With the exception of changes in the storefronts and the occassional repaving of the street surface, the look of Brookline Boulevard has remained essentially the same since 1966, when the trolley tracks that dissected the roadway were removed. After 40 years, things will soon be changing as the Boulevard is scheduled for a major reconstruction project that will dramatically alter the look of our main street.

The date for the project's beginning is still a bit up in the air, but the best estimate is that sometime in the year 2007 or 2008 our Boulevard will undergo a nine million dollar transformation that will feature many modern amenities, yet preserve much of the current convenience of the heavily traveled roadway.

Design plans were introduced back in the spring of 2000, and neighborhood residents were invited to express their wishes for the new Boulevard Design (from Pioneer to Queensboro Avenues). Once a consensus was reached, design firm LaQuatra Bonci Associates provided sketches based on these proposals (shown below).

The new Boulevard will feature curb "bump outs" at major intersections to narrow the crosswalk distance; a safety zone for cars parked in the diagonal slots; new sidewalks, curbs, lighting, benches, landscape and other amenities; new infrastructure including utilities and sewer hookups.

A redesign of the intersection of Brookline Boulevard and Pioneer includes transformation of the island into a landscaped peninsula and a expanded parklet at the Cannon monument at Queensboro Avenue.

Baker Engineering has been selected for the project. Once the construction contracts are signed, approximately 18 months are needed for the engineering design phase, with two full construction seasons planned for completion, weather permitting. Environmental studies are currently underway.

As a requirement of their contract, Baker Engineers will assign a project coordinator who will be contacting every business owner affected by the reconstruction, detailing their hours of operation, and coordinating issues, problems and maintaining accessibility to their stores during the construction period.

The reconstruction will be undertaken in three phases to minimize the disruption of normal business. The City’s intent is to make the reconstruction project as unobtrusive as possible.

Funding for the project was obtained from the state by Representative Michael Diven back in 2001.

The sketches below show the intersection of Pioneer Avenue and Brookline Boulevard before and after the reconstruction. There is also a before and after sketch of the Cannon area near Queensboro, and proposed sketches of the intersections of Flatbush and Stebbins Avenues. Included is a before and after rendition showing a ground level view of the Boulevard from near the intersection of Stebbins Avenue (near the National City Bank) looking westward towards Flatbush.

These photos reveal much of how our main road will change after the project is complete. As stated, it will take a year or two to complete the environmental impact studies and other preliminary work. We may see some engineers from time to time taking measurements. Once this phase is complete, construction will begin and the process will move at a much quicker pace.

Thanks to Clay Fulton of the City Department of Planning and Engineering for this glimpse into the future.

* Last Modified - March 28, 2005 *