Traffic, Parking Issues Plague New Caton Ave. School

Over the course of the next few years, the formerly vacant lot at Caton Avenue and E. 7th Street will morph from a pile of dirt to a 105,000 square-foot primary and middle school, providing a needed academic home to 757 students from Kindergarten to 8th grade. 

But already the school—to be called P.S./I.S. 437— is facing some road blocks from residents, who are angered not so much by the school itself, but the traffic congestion and parking issues expected to crop up along Caton Avenue, an existing truck route and the intended front entrance of the new school.

"If we seem hostile, you're right," said one of the roughly 20 residents who attended a meeting at the Windsor Terrace Library on Tuesday night.

Representatives from the School Construction Authority received a tongue lashing from several audience members, angered that the Department of Transportation was not on hand to discuss the details of a traffic flow study that will determine what changes to Caton Avenue's traffic pattern will be implemented to ease the congestion.

Michael Koplin, a Windsor Terrace resident of 35 years, said he has no problem with the future school, but wants to know how the already frenetic Caton Avenue will accommodate the influx of cars—particularly school buses—that will be flowing to and from the school during the week.

"Caton Avenue is like the Wild West," he said."I can't begin to tell you the amount of screeching we hear [from the trucks.]"

SCA representatives said that the street's traffic lights will be re-timed to handle the heavier traffic flow, and crossing guards will be placed on corners to ensure that traffic flows smoothly.

They added that the purpose of Tuesday's meeting was only to present residents with plans for the school itself, and that it remains too early to discuss any specific traffic-combating measures.

That answer failed to satisfy many residents.

"We welcome you as part of the community, and we want you to feel like you’re part of the community too," said Robbyn Yoffee, a former teacher. "When I hear you say, 'It’s not my problem, it’s the DOT’s problem,' you guys are not going to look very good in 2015 when the school opens and there is a huge boondoggle on Caton Avenue.”

The issue of parking is another sore spot for residents, many of whom were displeased to learn that the school's teachers would be joining the fight for space on the street, rather than having their own designated lot.

"You're going to have 1,000 people coming into this school, and 300 of them will be looking for parking," said one enraged resident. "We can't find parking now. You can see were we're concerned."

The five story school will house a gymnasium, a multi-use gymnatorium, library, cafeteria, science labs, music suites and several levels of classrooms. The property will also contain three separate outdoor areas consisting of a main playground, an early childhood playground and an entry court. 

While permits are still being acquired, residents should expect to see activity on the grounds over the next two months.