Saturday's parting shot

A moment during this afternoon's "interactive data-art performance" on Avenue B between Seventh Street and Eighth Street ... featuring Jen Ray and data designer Jason Forrest ... read more about Open Date Week activities in the East Village here. 

Thanks to Stacie Joy for the photo!

Zumba on the open streets of Avenue B this afternoon

The Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition is hosting a post-holiday zumba event on Avenue B at Ninth Street today from 1-3. 

Per the invite: "Warm up in the cold 🥶 with some FREE #Zumba Saturday All levels welcome (masks & distancing required)."

New barricade placement along the Open Streets of Avenue B

[Photo last weekend by Vinny & O]

In an effort to improve access for the FDNY along Avenue B, the
Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition announced new placements of the wooden and metal barricades that help keep the Open Street free for pedestrians and cyclists.



Per their social media posts from yesterday: "Please don’t move them out of these positions. We want #Loisaida Open Streets to continue & we need your help to ensure that!"

Reps for Engine 28/Ladder 11 at 222 E. Second St. between Avenue B and Avenue C had previously expressed concern about accessing Avenue B with barriers placed in certain positions. (Not sure how they navigate Avenue B between Second Street and Fourth Street when it is closed for outdoor dining on weekends.)

The local volunteers came together last month to form the coalition, painting and repairing the barriers that are up along the Avenue from Sixth Street to 14th Street daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The city announced the Open Street plan in late May to help residents safely get some fresh air while social distancing.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• New community coalition helping keep Avenue B safe for cyclists and pedestrians

New community coalition helping keep Avenue B safe for cyclists and pedestrians

[Via @loisaida_oscc]

You may have noticed a few changes along the Open Street of Avenue B... this is courtesy of the newly formed Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition, described as "a community-led program providing safe, socially distanced recreation for our neighborhood."

For starters, volunteers have painted and repaired some of the barriers that are up along the Avenue from Sixth Street to 14th Street daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ...




[Top 2 photos by Stacie Joy]





The group has launched a Twitter and Instagram account...

As the newly formed Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition, we believe this should be a community-led program providing safe, socially distanced recreation for our neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/RiCfc7yzG3

— Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition (@Loisaida_OSCC) July 9, 2020

... where you can learn about upcoming events... and receive news alerts...

🚨Barrier protection alert!🚨 Strong winds today—please dismantle and set any barriers you see out today on Avenue B to the side, not blocking building entrances, with legs stacked behind crossbars to keep them from getting blown around. Safety first!

— Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition (@Loisaida_OSCC) July 10, 2020

If you're interested in volunteering to be an Avenue B Open Streets Ambassador, you can find a sign-up sheet here.

The city announced the Open Street plan in late May to help residents safely get some fresh air while social distancing. As we've noted, people have hidden or vandalized the barricades or they've been clipped by motorists or the FDNY...





A related item of interest... tomorrow (Tuesday night!), CB3's Transportation, Public Safety, & Environment Committee will hear the following item — FDNY: Fire safety concerns regarding Avenue B Open Street.

Here's the meeting info:

Tuesday, July 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Online: https://zoom.us/j/97511826911
By Phone: +1 646 518 9805, +1 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 975 1182 6911

Updated: Streetsblog has a post on this story here.