Pedestrian Infrastructure
Streetsblog Basics
Tonight on the Upper West Side: Critical Vote on Amsterdam Avenue
After months of meetings, tonight Manhattan Community Board 7 is expected to vote on a resolution asking DOT for a complete streets study of Amsterdam Avenue. Getting to tonight's vote involved months of marathon meetings and debate, and supporters of safer streets can't let up now.
December 3, 2013
Ped Plazas in Low-Income Neighborhoods Get $800,000 Boost From Chase
Under cloudy skies this morning at Corona Plaza, elected officials and community members gathered to announce an $800,000 contribution from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation to help fund the upkeep of pedestrian plazas in low-income communities. The funds are going to the Neighborhood Plaza Partnership (NPP), a program of the Horticultural Society of New York that works with merchant associations and non-profits to maintain plazas in neighborhoods including Corona, Jackson Heights, East New York, and Ridgewood.
November 26, 2013
Eyes on the Street: Reading in Ozone Park’s New Plaza
The intersection of Liberty Avenue and 101st Avenue sits on the border of Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, and Ozone Park, Queens. A few blocks from the A train and surrounded by small businesses, it's a natural hub for the neighborhood, but the road configuration gave over large areas of the angled intersection to cars. Last year, the Bangladeshi American Community Development and Youth Services Corp. (BACDYS) applied to DOT's plaza program, and last month, the finishing touches were put on the new plaza space.
November 25, 2013
Tonight: Manhattan CB 9 Set to Vote on Morningside Avenue Traffic Calming
A plan to slow drivers and provide safer crossings for pedestrians along Morningside Avenue in Harlem is on the agenda for Manhattan Community Board 9's full board meeting tonight. A positive vote would set the stage for CB 10, which also covers the project area and has a history of stalling livable streets projects, to take action.
November 21, 2013
After a Packed Meeting, CB 7 Punts on Amsterdam Ave Complete Street Study
Few people have ever accused Manhattan Community Board 7 of expiditiously resolving to do something about dangerous streets. After devoting two hours last night to discussing a resolution asking DOT for a complete street study of Amsterdam Avenue (which the board's transportation committee passed last month), CB 7's reputation for inaction and delay remained intact: The board voted 28-11 to put off the issue until its next meeting on December 3.
November 7, 2013
At Molinaro’s Request, Streets Around S.I. Boro Hall Now More Ped-Friendly
Behind Staten Island Borough Hall in St. George is Hyatt Street. It spans all of two blocks, but there are few markings on the wide two-way street, making it a tricky spot for pedestrians crossing between offices, shops, a library, and the St. George Theater just uphill from the Staten Island Ferry landing.
October 17, 2013
CB 7 Committee Asks DOT, 7-0, for Amsterdam Avenue Complete Street Study
After a three-and-a-half-hour meeting that itself followed a nearly three-hour deliberation last month, the Manhattan Community Board 7 transportation committee voted 7-0, with three abstentions, for a resolution asking DOT to study safety improvements for Amsterdam Avenue. The resolution asks DOT to consider a protected bike lane, pedestrian islands, removing one of the avenue's four car lanes, and retiming signals. It now moves to the full board for a vote on November 6.
October 16, 2013
Tonight: Kips Bay and Astoria Community Boards Consider Complete Streets
There are two community board meetings tonight on complete streets plans in Manhattan and Queens.
October 9, 2013
Eyes on the Street: DOT Wayfinding Signage in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens
Noah Budnick at TA tweeted this shot yesterday of a new pedestrian wayfinding sign at Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard, between Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Unlike traditional maps, where north is up, WalkNYC maps are oriented to the direction the viewer is facing. Initial rollout areas include Chinatown, the Garment District, Herald Square, and Long Island City, and they've started popping up in Crown Heights and Prospect Heights. Forward-facing maps can also be found on most Citi Bike stations.
September 26, 2013
Manhattan CB 7 Committee Keeps Dithering on Amsterdam Avenue Safety
Despite starting off with a somber reminder of the damage created by dangerous driving, Manhattan Community Board 7's transportation committee ended its meeting last night gridlocked over whether to support meaningful street safety improvements.
September 25, 2013