Code Ninjas
In the 1880s and 90s, 4th Ave was a grand parkway with large planted medians, mature trees and wide sidewalks for strolling. In 1910, the BMT subway line construction (now the D/N/R lines) unfortunately cut down all of the trees and greenery. That led to a nearly century-long stretch of 4th Ave being a relatively bleak, car-dominanted thoroughfare. By the 1960s, it was called “automobile alley” and well into the 2000s, 4th Ave was dominated by tire and car repair shops and taxi stands.
A 2003 rezoning led to the construction of more housing along 4th Ave, but there were few guidelines. The new construction rules had no requirements for street-level retail, design or affordability, leading to an outcry from local residents. The Avenue was dubbed “A Canyon of Mediocrity” and there were concerns about displacement and pedestrian safety. Community groups like Forth on Fourth Ave, Park Slope Civic Council and Gowanus Canal Conservancy advocated to treat 4th Ave as a “connector” among the neighborhoods of Gowanus, Park Slope and Boreum Hill versus a “highway”. These groups pushed for new rezoning rules for 4th Ave that included street-level retail (like Code Ninja and the other stores in this building), protected bike lanes and the planting of more trees and green medians along 4th Ave.
Fourth Avenue in 1905
Fourth Avenue in the 1940s
About Code Ninjas: Code Ninjas teaches kids ages 5+ computer programming through game development. We offer after school programs, day and summer camps, and monthly parents’ night out.