Here’s a photo we shot last October, as Parks Department crews began to transform the pedestrian malls on Pike Street, near the East River. How much progress has been made in the past five months? 
Judging from the photos we took today, not much. Neighborhood groups lobbied vigorously to rehab 13 blocks along Pike and Allen Streets. The project was approved by the city, but never fully funded. Last fall, Parks public relations staff told us work was proceeding on three blocks, from South to Madison Streets. But for whatever reason, there are few visual indications that the landscaped malls are nearing completion. Perhaps, the brutal winter weather was a factor. We’ll be trying to get more information.
