For one thing, calming one block will have no affect. That is a county and city deal that so far they have not chosen to take on.If that grant isn't for calming first ave NE then it's a total waste because that stretch is incredibly pedestrian-hostile.
Funny how NYC has wider streets next to their sidewalks and still people there survive. Their sidewalks would be 10X more busy with foot traffic than 1st Ave along that section. There goes that Mayberry syndrome again.