Church Avenue Reno Includes Dangerous McDonald Avenue & CIA Intersections, Plus More

An enormous project to revamp Church Avenue by early 2015 is already underway in East Flatbush, and the next phase will take place closer to–some of it deep into–Kensington. Church Avenue BID Executive Director Lauren Collins gives us a look at the $3.2 million effort:

The Department of Design and Construction hopes to complete the design for the segment from Flatbush Avenue to Coney Island Avenue by Spring 2014. Then there’s a 6 month procurement cycle, followed by construction scheduled to begin Fall of 2014.

Under the project, the Department of Transportation has also included work on the intersection of Church and McDonald–beyond the BID’s borders, but an intersection in need of improvements.

The renovation will include removal of sidewalk bricks and replacement of sidewalks, creation of curb extensions on several corners, evaluation and possible repair of sewer catch basins to assure proper drainage, and planting of trees and expansion of tree pits.

The addition of curb extensions at the intersections of Church and Coney Island Avenues as well as Church and McDonald Avenues was a winning project of District 39’s 2013 Participatory Budgeting vote.

As for exactly where the catch basins are going on a stretch of road known to flood merchants’ basements, Lauren says the DDC is looking into whether the real issue is the street not being properly pitched. In the meantime, the Avenue’s Ready, Willing & Able crew is making sure to clear existing catch basins during heavy rain to maximize their efficiency.

Work on Church between Rogers and Flatbush Avenues has been rerouting B35 buses in both directions, but was recently suspended until mid-January.

The project, which so far has included the installation of nearly 1,000 feet of sewer, over 300 feet of Shute Connections, 11 manholes, 10 catch basins, and new sidewalks and curbs, is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2014.