Earth Week: NYC DOT announces 2023 Open Streets program

New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the launch of the 2023 Open Streets program, which will initially feature nearly160 locations stretching almost 300 blocks. This includes more than 25 new locations as the agency continues to deliver permanent redesigns to popular corridors. Announced as part of NYC DOT’s Car-Free Earth Day, the city’s Open Streets program is the largest of its kind in the nation. To advance its Open Streets program, NYC DOT provides funding to operating partners, as well as maintenance support to 34 Open Streets via a partnership with the Horticultural Society of New York. DOT plans to announce additional locations this year as the agency continues to process applications for Open Streets with launch dates later this summer.    

 “Spring has sprung – and I invite New Yorkers to celebrate the warm weather on our collective front yard: our streets. We’re thrilled to continue building on the success of the Open Streets program, both with the launch of new sites across the City and through the permanent upgrades to existing locations,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “As we celebrate Earth Week, Open Streets is a shining example of how we can make our streets more vibrant and welcoming by supporting safe and sustainable transportation options.”    

This year’s Open Streets features new locations across the five boroughs, including in Bushwick and Brownsville, in Brooklyn; South Jamaica, in Queens; and Soundview, in the Bronx. Dozens of more Open Streets are currently being finalized, with anticipated launches on or after July 1.     

In addition to launching new Open Streets, DOT will build on the success of existing locations with permanent redesigns to better prioritize pedestrians and cyclists. New designs can help locations evolve beyond the need for metal barriers. The agency is upgrading the following locations this year:    

  • Berry Street, Brooklyn    

  • N 15 St, Brooklyn     

  • Underhill Avenue, Brooklyn    

  • Vanderbilt Avenue, Brooklyn    

  • W 22nd Street, Manhattan    

  • Beverley Rd, Brooklyn     

  • Broadway, Manhattan    

  • W 103rd St, Manhattan    

  • 34th Avenue, Queens   

Additional locations for capital upgrades in future years include:    

  • 34th Avenue, Queens    

  • Woodside Avenue, Queens    

  • Willis Avenue, the Bronx    

  • Underhill Avenue, Brooklyn     

  • Minthorne Street, Staten Island    

  • Dyckman Street (Quisqueya Plaza), Manhattan     

New Yorkers can find the full list of 2023 Open Streets on DOT’s website. New Open Street applications for 2023 include:    

  • 136th Street, Queens*  

  • 141st Street, Queens*  

  •  29th Street, Queens*  

  • 46th Street, Queens*   

  • 84th Avenue, Queens*   

  • Beaumont Avenue, the Bronx   

  • Beck Street, the Bronx*   

  • East 148th Street, the Bronx   

  • Evelyn Place, the Bronx*   

  •  Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn*   

  • Harrod Place, the Bronx   

  • Home Street, the Bronx   

  • Hudson Boulevard East, Manhattan*   

  • Hudson Boulevard West, Manhattan*   

  • Inwood Street, Queens*  

  • Justice Avenue, Queens*   

  • Seventh Street, Brooklyn*   

  • Stanton Street, Manhattan*   

  • Thatford Avenue, Brooklyn   

  • Troutman Street, Brooklyn   

  • Washington Place, Manhattan   

  • Watkins Street, Brooklyn  

  • West 128th Street, Manhattan*   

  • West 141st Street, Manhattan*   

  • West 158th Street, Manhattan   

  • West 196th Street, Manhattan  
    *Not yet active  

“One of the few silver linings of the pandemic has been how New Yorkers have reimagined our streetscape to serve as abundant open space, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that Open Streets are returning for another summer,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “Open Streets showcase the creativity and community that exist in our neighborhoods, and I look forward to seeing how Manhattanites use their streets this year.” 

“With the weather getting warmer, I’m excited like any other New Yorker to get outside and enjoy our borough’s Open Streets,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Watching the Open Streets program activate each year is something I look forward to with my family, because this is exactly what our city needs more of. Not only do pedestrian-centered streets allow New Yorkers to take back our streets and our city, but with its new designs, the Open Street program keeps us safer from cars and reduces carbon emissions. Thank you to NYC DOT for expanding this necessary initiative.” 

 “The Open Streets program has been a major boon to Queens residents looking for new and better ways to enjoy the outdoors and to experience the vibrancy of our borough and city,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “The new additions to the Open Streets program announced today are a great way to build upon the program’s strong momentum and to further our ongoing efforts to transform our relationship with our surroundings. I encourage Queens residents and all New Yorkers to make full use of the recreational opportunities offered by our Open Streets.” 

“Since its inception, the Open Streets program has demonstrated how much more connected our communities can become when we prioritize people over private car travel,” said U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler. “Car-Free Earth Day is the perfect opportunity for New Yorkers to join their neighbors outdoors and enjoy all the City has to offer while making more sustainable choices for our shared future.” 

“I am a bike rider, so I am incredibly thankful for the Open Streets initiative, which makes pedestrians and cyclists the top priority, allowing for free public art displays, performances, and other activities for our communities. This is a great way for neighbors to come together and take back their streets from cars while also taking part in educational and cultural activities in an environment that is protected from vehicle traffic,” said State Senator Robert Jackson. “I thank the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) for taking some of the streets in Northern Manhattan and transforming them into an area of entertainment and bike education workshops for a couple of days!” 

“The open streets program helps bring new life to our city by allowing for a range of neighborhood-friendly activities that promote economic development, support schools, and provide new ways for New Yorkers to get involved, connect and enjoy their community,” said State Senator John Liu. “The existing Open Street locations in Flushing and Bayside have brought people together in new and exciting ways, and I look forward to seeing even more communities take advantage of this expanding program so they too can get outside and get involved in everything their community has to offer.” 

“Open streets are an incredible way to bring our communities together. One of the few things we learned during the pandemic is the importance and need for outdoor public gathering. Even with COVID-19 under control, open streets continue to offer immense value to communities,” said State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein. “During Open Streets, roads that are normally filled with trucks and cars are transformed into places to play for our kids, opportunities to partner with businesses and community organizations and places to gather for us all. Open Streets helps us envision a city that is more sustainable, with less cars and more bikes as well as bringing joy and connection.” 

 “Streets belong to all New Yorkers, no matter the neighborhood,” said City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “I am excited to see the Open Streets program expanded into more neighborhoods, including in Southeast Queens, and I will continue to work with DOT to ensure our roads are accessible and safe for all street users.” 

“Thrilled to hear the announcement of the Open Streets for the 2023 season will again include Addisleigh Park, of my District! Open streets is a crucial step towards fostering community engagement, encouraging healthy and active lifestyles, and ensuring pedestrian safety,” said City Council Member Nantasha Williams. “I am excited about the prospect of safer streets in Southeast Queens, and coupled with the Department of Transportation’s plans to prioritize pedestrians with permanent redesigns, we will create long-lasting positive changes in the City.” 

  

“Open Streets are safe, popular, and lively places for New Yorkers to gather. When we reclaim spaces from cars and open them to people, great things happen. To ensure the program continues to succeed, they need to be permanent fixtures of the streetscape,” said Juan Restrepo, Director of Organizing for Transportation Alternatives. “We’re glad to see new locations receive capital upgrades from the city and look forward to working with DOT to expand permanent Open Streets equitably across our city, especially in the outer-boroughs.” 

“We’re excited to see more than two dozen new Open Streets locations coming online for 2023, bringing the many benefits of car-free and car-light spaces to more corners of the city. And we’re thrilled to see that some of the city’s most popular and successful Open Streets will be in line for design upgrades this spring and summer,” said Eric McClure, Executive Director of StreetsPAC. “New Yorkers have embraced the opportunity offered by these new village squares, and we’re grateful to the Department of Transportation for their efforts to continually hone and improve the Open Streets program.” 

“A new season of Open Streets marks a return to community, fresh air, and fun in the city. This program highlights the best of what New York’s streets can do for us and we’re celebrating that the program is expanding to new neighborhoods,” said Jackson Chabot, Director of Advocacy and Organizing at Open Plans. “New Yorkers everywhere deserve a chance to enjoy the same safe and enriching public space close to home.” 

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