On October 3, 2023, the Department of City Planning (DCP) announced the launch of an online survey and the first remote meeting for the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan. The Plan was created to support mixed-use neighborhoods across the 42 blocks of Midtown South where housing is not currently permitted. On Tuesday, October 17 at 7pm, a remote public information session will be held and will offer New Yorkers the opportunity to learn about Midtown South’s half century-old zoning rules and voice what they would like to see in the neighborhood’s future.
The survey and meeting are intended to reach and serve people who interact with Midtown South regularly and will be open through the end of the year. Questions in the survey pertain to what people like about the area today, what their priorities are for the future, and how DCP can share information on the process. The information gathered will be used to further the plans for the Midtown South project. During the remote public meeting, people will have a chance to voice their concerns and priorities for the future of the neighborhood. The meeting will also discuss the study’s timeline and how people can remain engaged.
The Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan overall seeks to expand housing, boost economic activity and keep alive the public realm of the area. While the neighborhood houses over 7,000 businesses, it faces challenges brought on by the pandemic, including the popularity of remote work schedules, aging buildings, and strict zoning laws. The Plan seeks to combat these challenges and bring long term stability to the neighborhood.
Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning said, “It’s hard to get more centrally-located than Midtown South, an amenity and transit-rich area that is being held back by outdated zoning. It’s time we changed that. Through this process, we’ll aim to transform this area into a 24/7 community that provides homes to a wide range of New Yorkers, a great mix of jobs, and updated amenities. But we’ll only succeed with your input. I encourage everyone to get involved in shaping a brighter future for this neighborhood.”
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said, “The Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan will not only build housing that our city desperately needs, but it will also reinvigorate some of Manhattan’s most central, opportunity-rich neighborhoods, building on their dynamic possibility. I’m grateful to the Department of City Planning for not only taking a look at the zoning regulations in the area, but for thinking more comprehensively about issues like housing, businesses, and the public realm. And to top it off, DCP is starting their public engagement process early. I encourage New Yorkers to share their thoughts and help shape the future of Midtown South by joining public information sessions and taking the online survey.”
City Council Majority Leader Keith Powers said, “The Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan presents a tremendous opportunity to rejuvenate neighborhoods and provide another desperately needed solution to our housing crisis. Borough President Levine, Council Member Bottcher, and I are grateful for the chance to work on an innovative project like this that will hopefully help bring new life back into areas we represent. I am excited to begin the engagement process and look forward to hearing feedback from my constituents.”
By: Meg Beauregard (Meg is the CityLaw intern, and a New York Law School student, Class of 2024).
DCP: “Department of City Planning Kicks Off Engagement for Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan” (October 3, 2023).