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April 25; l%u00a5 li- PHOENl* P*gfe 25%u25a0 %u00bb . * . c e %u2022Refurbishing DistinguishesTwo Downtown ThoroughfaresBY LYNNE GRIFOAmazing things have begun to happen along two of downtown Brooklyn%u2019s major thoroughfares: beautiful little shops are replacing deteriorating storefronts on Atlantic Avenue; trees have sprung up on cobblestoned islands amidst the steady stream of traffic on Flatbush Avenue. And the experts promise that this is only the beginning.Coalitions of brownstoners and merchants have been formed to work with the Office of Downtown Brooklyn Development (ODBD) and the Downtown Brooklyn Development Association (DBDA) to turn the tide away from deterioration and toward renewal for both avenues. The champion for Atlantic Avenue is the newlyformed Atlantic Avenue Committee, while Flatbush has the Triangle Parks-Flatbush Avenue Improvement Committee (TPFA1C) in its corner.In his new book, %u2018%u2018Urban Design as Public Policy,%u201d Jonathan Barnett discusses the proposed Atlantic Avenue Special Zoning District in a chapter entitled %u2018%u2018Preserving Landmarks and Ties to the Past.%u201d He says %u201c Atlantic Avenue is lined with three- and four-story mid-19th century buildings with fine Victorian shop fronts which have survived almost intact because the area has been economically depressed for many years.%u201c Now, however, the adjacent neighborhoods are being restored and improved as the %u2018brownstone revival%u2019 progresses eastward from Brooklyn Heights,%u201d Barnett explains. %u201c The problem is to keep the buildings along Atlantic Avenue from being modernized as they are taken over by new commercial uses and to prevent them from being torn down for parking lots.%u201dIn response to community concern about the future of the Avenue, Robin Burns, ODBD senior urban designer, developed the Special Zoning plan, which covers the area between Court Street and Fourth Avenue.The legislation, which is expected to go before the Planning Commission for approval in mid-June and then to the Board of Estimate, would limit auto service and large commercial uses, as well as public parking facilities; would limit building size consistently on both sides of the Avenue; would revise height and setback rules; and would mandate 20-foot setbacks above a building height of 50 feet.Design regulations for the renovation of certain buildings identified by zoning as characteristic of the Avenue would be provided, as would design standards for new buildings, relating to such things as window area, storefront appearance, and the types of building materials and colors that may be used. In addition, the special zoning would limit curb-cuts for off-street parking and loading, and require screening of such facilities from adjoining properties and streets. Demolition of buildings would be forbidden until redevelopment plans are approved.%u201cThe purpose of the proposal isnot cn much to nrpvpnt larop.cpfllp 1 uredevelopment--which does not pose a threat to Atlantic Avenuebut rather to reinforce a trend toward rehabilitation,%u201d explained Burns. \climate in which more property owners will be encouraged to restore their buildings, with the support of the City, the community, and the merchsnt-tcn?.nts.%u201c Atlantic Avenue%u2019s resurgence began as the result of the brownstoning movement and the community%u2019s concern, and now the focus will be on the City%u2019s activities. Although the storefront vacancy rate is about 18%-high, according to the Housing and Development Administration-I am sure that in the long run, both the Atlantic Terminal and Schermerhorn Housing Projects will create a much higher volume of foot traffic, especially at the eastern end of the Avenue, and thereby spur retailing,%u201d Burns declared.Robert Higgenbotham, owner of a building at 113 Atlantic Avenue and head of a direct-mail firm at that address, is co-chairman of the Atlantic Avenue Committee. He is very enthusiastic about the Avenue%u2019s future. %u201cThe change over thepast five years has been dramatic. So many new shops have opened their doors. The restaurants and mid-Eastern food stores which have always been here are increasing in number. The antique and plant shops are flourishing as their reputation for quality and imaginative selection spreads,%u201d he stated.%u201cThe Committee has 50 business members paying dues of $50 per year. Interested merchants contribute $10 and our membership is up to a total of 200 now ,%u201d Higgenbotham said. %u201c We%u2019ve been able to hire Bob Meyer, a college student, who spends at least three days a week touring the Avenue, encouraging the merchants and residents to keep the street clean.Sally Crane, a volunteer worker from the Brooklyn Heights junior League, has done a major part of the contact with Avenue residents.%u201c Bob's out there to speak softly and help people realize the importance of joint effort to make and keep Atlantic Avenue attractive. The Turn Atlantic Green Committee, headed by Harry Reid, has had trees planted along the entire length of the Avenue, which is an important environmental improvement,\Plans are being made for an Atlantic Avenue Festival, to be held either during the summer or fall this year. The affair will be a joint effort between the Committee, the South Brooklyn-Red Hookcommunity, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Higgenbotham says.Among the other very positive things taking place on Atlantic Avenue are: the YWCA hasannounced a drive to raise $250,000 for capital improvements to its building at 30 Third Avenue. Included in the work will be the brownstoning of the %u201c Y 's%u201d gravstone facade.The Department of Social Services has recently finished substantial renovations to 316-318 Atlantic Avenue, to be used as a Child Reception Center. The Department collaborated with ODBD on the nature of the changes.^ %u00b0Uo\\ce^ f'ent*J g g e M a i W ' * * -l V -.ling to gWe*ndJeio\S a v i n g R e c o u n t s ,CheS e t c ^ C h ecK,ng%u2019% f s o > o a %u00ab s ,^ o ^ S;o v e in e n tL o a n s ,V a S t i o \S l B u s %u00bb n eS.Ss e r v ic e s ,P e v s o n a ^ o t B a %u201e U i n g .Jn f or 8 W%u00abt%u00a3*.h a v e 31t i i e n d a tW h a t e v e r V O - c h 8 ^ \o