Morris Park Ave. redesign plan faces growing opposition

Critics of a road redesign proposal in Van Nest and Morris Park now have the support of elected officials from their neighborhoods.
The city Department of Transportation wants to narrow Morris Park Avenue in order to make room for 1.5 miles of new bike lanes -- putting it at odds with Community Board 11 and local residents.
Critics say the plan will lead to more traffic and less business for local stores. And they point to similar redesigns on Allerton and Tremont avenues as evidence.
Community Board 11 voted unanimously last week against the plan. 
City Councilman Mark Gjonaj gathered more than 1,000 signatures on a letter he sent to the mayor's office in opposition to the redesign along with Councilmen Ritchie Torres and Joseph Crowley. State Assembly members Nathalia Fernandez and Michael Benedetto also signed on, along with state Sen. Jeffrey Klein.