New York City is following the age-old saying: making lemonade out of lemons. One of the most enticing glasses of lemonade to come out of the pandemic is the reimagining, reuse, and opening of the city streets.
Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) just released the 2021 application for New York City’s Open Streets program. This program gives communities the ability to propose the use and function of their roads in terms of pedestrians and cyclists versus vehicles.
In his press release, Mayor Bill de Blasio said, “Last year, New York City seized an unprecedented crisis to totally reimagine our city streets. Open Streets was a runaway success – and now, I’m proud to deliver the framework we need to make it permanent. With better signage, new barriers, and more support for community partners, this program will be sustainable for the long term – and better position New York City to break free of car culture and build a recovery for all of us.”
DOT plans to collaborate with community partners “to develop operational plans for multiple uses, including outdoor dining and programming, while maintaining loading, deliveries, and emergency access.”
The program will be divided into two distinct types of Open Streets: Temporary Limited Local Access sets specific hours and days of the week for streets to be designated for pedestrian and cyclist use only. And, as the name implies, Temporary Full Closure will temporarily close streets to vehicles for pedestrian and cyclist use.
State Senator Jessica Ramos commented, “The Open Streets program has allowed so many of our restaurants to keep their doors open and our communities safer. As we rebuild our economy and continue to fight back against this virus, I am thrilled even more of our small businesses will be able to take advantage of this program.”
