Park Slope Courier
August 17, 2007

Listening to the children of 3rd Avenue
Haunting new mural of accident victims packs an emotional punch for drivers
By THOMAS TRACY

Members of Transportation Alternatives and the Groundswell Mural Project are working on a gigantic mural that would encourage motorists to slow down along 3rd Avenue.

It could possibly be one of the most effective traffic-calming campaigns ever created: a dignified yet heartbreaking mural of children run down by cars on 3rd Avenue holding up signs encouraging drivers to take their feet off the gas.

That’s the premise behind a 30-by-50 foot mural currently being painted on the side of a Butler Street building at 3rd Avenue through the efforts of Transportation Alternatives and the Groundswell Mural Project.

The colorful mural, which is nearing completion, is expected to be unveiled on Tuesday, August 28.

Brooke Dubose, project manager for the mural, said that the gigantic traffic calming message will depict the likenesses of 11-year-old Victor Flores, 10-year-old Juan Estrada and four-year-old James Rice, all of whom were killed on 3rd Avenue in various car accidents over the last three years.

Flores and Estrada were killed after being hit by a truck at 9th Street and 3rd Avenue in 2004. Rice was struck and killed by a Hummer back in February at the corner of 3rd Avenue and Baltic Street, a block away from where the mural is being painted.

Family members recall that Rice was on his way to pre-school with an 18-year-old relative when they were struck by the Hummer as it made a right turn onto Baltic Street. The two had just stepped into the intersection when they were hit.

In the mural, each child will be holding signs that will remind motorists to slow down, Dubose said, adding that similar murals have been successful in other cities across the country.

“We use art to cue the drivers to slow down and at the same time we bring in a human element that they will interface with and learn from,” she said, adding that everything about the mural was approved by the victims’ families, as well as neighborhood residents.

In fact, Flores, Estrada and Rice’s families gave painters photos of their fallen children to work off of. At least one of the mothers told project designers that they thought the mural would be a fitting memorial for her son.

Once it is unveiled, motorists will be able to see the mural as they travel north along 3rd Avenue.

“You’ll be able to see it from blocks away,” she said.

Posted around the mural will be about 60 markers made to look like street signs that will have images depicting safer streets. The markers are being designed by Visual Resistance, which annually holds a “ghost bike” campaign to commemorate cyclists that have been struck and killed.

For years, Transportation Alternatives has been pushing for stronger traffic calming measures along 3rd Avenue.

When Rice was killed, members of Transportation Alternatives rallied for more traffic safety measures in front of City Hall.

But, while the City Council’s Transportation Committee began holding traffic safety hearings almost immediately, Transportation Alternatives plans to keep the pressure on, Dubose said.

“We’re hoping that the new Department of Trans-portation Commissioner and those who will be working on Plan NYC will make this a priority,” she said. “Third and 4th avenues are dangerous and they have been for years.”

While some critics could argue that using the likenesses of three accident victims is a tactless maneuver, Dubose said that “when you want to make social change, you have to push the envelope.”

“We want this to be a positive message, but at the same time we want to show how serious this problem is,” she said.