Each spring New Yorkers eagerly look forward to the season return of the city’s Open Streets Program, and the city is officially dedicating $30 million in new funding to support the program, along with other public spaces, in low-income, resource-lacking neighborhoods.
The Open Streets Program first came about during the pandemic and was made permanent in 2021 by The City Council and former Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The program closes hundreds of streets throughout the five boroughs to all car traffic, giving pedestrians and cyclists alike the space and programming to be able to come together in the great outdoors. And, with 300+ streets participating in this year’s iteration of the program, it’s already shaping up to be a big one.
And, thankfully, $30 million is now being given to under-resourced neighborhoods that don’t have the means to support such participation in the program. The DOT is seeking proposals for outside groups that are willing to assist with the day-to-day operations and management of the program.
“We’ve been clear that public space is a critical ingredient in the recipe for a strong, inclusive economic recovery for our city. That’s why we’re investing $375 million to create vibrant, new public spaces in all five boroughs and now creating the Public Space Equity Program to ensure that every community can take full advantage,” said NYC Mayor Eric Adams.
Over 100 public spaces in under-resourced neighborhoods will benefit from the new Public Space Equity Program, which will provide a load of assistance, including but not limited to:
- Operational and maintenance support for a broader set of gateways and street designs
- Horticulture care
- Enhanced accessibility
- Community engagement services
- Assistance with basic operations such as moving barricades and cleaning trash
“Every neighborhood deserves safe, accessible, and vibrant plazas and Open Streets. This new funding recognizes the increased value of our streets as public space and this administration’s commitment to equity,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Rodriguez.
Open Streets with permanent upgrades completed or planned in 2023 include:
- Berry Street, Brooklyn
- Beverley Rd, Brooklyn
- N 15 St, Brooklyn
- Underhill Avenue, Brooklyn
- Vanderbilt Avenue, Brooklyn
- W 9th Street, Brooklyn
- Sharon Street, Brooklyn
- W 22nd Street, Manhattan
- Broadway, Manhattan
- W 103rd St, Manhattan
- Dyckman St, Manhattan
- 34th Avenue, Queens
- 31st Avenue, Queens
“Public spaces are critical to the physical and mental health of New Yorkers, and help to bring communities together. There are countless stories of Open Streets and public plazas that have successfully made our communities more vibrant,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.
Additional streets planned to receive more intense work include:
- 34th Avenue, Queens
- Woodside Avenue, Queens
- Willis Avenue, the Bronx
- Underhill Avenue, Brooklyn
- Minthorne Street, Staten Island
- Dyckman Street (Quisqueya Plaza), Manhattan
- Broadway, Manhattan
Work on these streets, which will total $300 million, is still in the planning process.
DOT officially launched this effort with the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP), issued on May 2, 2023, to seek a contractor to provide all required services for the program. The RFP will not only provide managers to oversee several sites, but also provide some of the larger spaces with full-time staff.
You can read about the full OneNYC Plaza Equity Program here.