Image Credit: New York City Department of Transportation
On June 26, 2023, Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced a second round of 2023 Open Streets, which will add 13 new Open Street locations throughout the City. Open Streets is a program that temporarily transforms busy city streets into a car-free oasis for pedestrians, cyclists and children engaging in recreational activities. The Open Streets program encourages utilizing streets in new ways that make them more accessible and enjoyable for all New Yorkers.
New Yorkers can find the full list of 2023 Open Streets as well as a map of locations on DOT’s website. The additional 34 Open Streets for 2023 include the following locations, with most set to launch over the course of this summer:
Queens:
- 110 Street*
- 156 Street*
- 50 Avenue
- Britton Avenue
- Reads Lane
- Union Hall Street*
Brooklyn:
- Second Place*
- Third Avenue
- 43 Street*
- Seventh Street
- Amboy Street
- Pearl Street
- Ridge Boulevard*
- Willoughby Avenue*
- Willoughby Street
Staten Island:
- Deisius Street
- Front Street*
- Suffolk Avenue*
- Vermont Court*
Manhattan:
- Cooper Street
- East 123 Street*
- East 16 Street
- East 73 Street
- Grove Street
- Jane Street
- Rivington Street
- Rutherford Place
- Marks Place
- Bedford Street
- West 130 Street*
- West 142 Street*
- West 212 Street
Bronx:
- East 161 Street
- Tiffany Street
*new 2023 Open Street location
The first round of 2023 Open Streets was announced during spring. For more information about past Open Street announcements, click here. With these new locations, DOT now counts nearly 200 Open Streets in 2023, and expects to approve even more by the end of the year. This puts the agency on track to surpass last year’s total.
Mayor Eric Adams stated, “…This administration is reclaiming space every day that will allow more New Yorkers to sit, walk, talk, and spend time together. And with nearly 200 Open Street locations this year…there are so many opportunities to get outside and enjoy our city.”
Council Member Carlina Rivera stated, “By pedestrianizing spaces and opening our streets to people, we have unlocked so much creativity and made our communities stronger and more vibrant.”
Director of Advocacy and Organizing at Open Plans Jackson Chabot stated, “Communities love Open Streets because they bring neighbors together, boost local business, attract arts and culture, and make our streets safe. As DOT and the Mayor’s office continue[s] to more fully invest in these joyful public spaces, their commitment will pay off in happier, healthier neighborhoods everywhere.”
By: Dylan Shusterman (Dylan is the CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2025.)
Source: NYC DOT Announces Second Round of 2023 Open Street Locations Across the Five Boroughs, June 26, 2023.