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‘The streets belong to you’: Summer Streets to open 20 miles of NYC roadways
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Jun 12, 2023
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By
Giulia Heyward
Published Jun 12, 2023
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New Yorkers can once again expect to see miles of the city periodically closed to cars this summer, now spanning all five boroughs. The expanded Summer Streets program, which Mayor Eric Adams called a “bold new vision for public space across the city” during a press conference on Monday, will begin on July 29 in Queens and Staten Island, and then extend to the remaining boroughs in August.
“The streets are just not places where cars drive up and down,” Adams said. “We have redefined that entire thought.”
Summer Streets began in 2008, during the Bloomberg administration, with the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) closing down certain blocks to cars as a way to open up more outdoor recreational space in Manhattan. The program was expanded during de Blasio's tenure, suspended in 2020 because of the pandemic and then brought back in abbreviated form in 2021.
Last year, the Adams administration provided the program with even more space, extending the Manhattan area all the way up to East Harlem. This year, the program expands to every borough, totaling 20 miles of car-free streets on select Saturdays.
“When we open our streets, we open up the opportunity to enjoy everything this city can offer,” DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said. “The streets belong to you, and to all New Yorkers – and everyone is invited.”
When the program is in swing, certain blocks in the city will be closed to automobile traffic on Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m., according to the DOT website. Organizations and performers are being invited to submit proposals to host events on the car-free streets during this time.
Not everyone is on board with the program. In past years, people have complained about increased traffic and congestion while streets are shut down. The program calls for closing down parts of Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn and Grand Concourse in the Bronx, which are major hubs for transportation.
But Adams said the program will force would-be drivers to “discover how fantastic our MTA and our subway system is,” or take up riding a bike or walking more. He said that the city plans to “scale up” the program in the future.
“Those who are just dogmatic about ‘No, I want to stay in my car’ – well, they’re going to stay in traffic a little longer,” he said.
Summer Streets provides New Yorkers with recreational opportunities thoughout the five boroughs on select Saturdays in July and August.
Scott Lynch / Gothamist
Summer Streets: Queens on July 29
Vernon Boulevard between 44 Drive and 30 Drive
Summer Streets: Staten Island on July 29
Richmond Terrace between York Avenue and Bard Avenue
Summer Streets: Manhattan on August 5, 12 & 19
From Brooklyn Bridge to West 125 Street via:
- Lafayette Street and Park Avenue between Brooklyn Bridge and East 109 Street
- East 109 Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 5th Avenue between East 109 Street and Central Park North
- Central Park North between 5th Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard
- Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard between Central Park North and West 125 Street
Summer Streets: Brooklyn on August 26
Eastern Parkway between Grand Army Plaza and Buffalo Avenue
Summer Streets: The Bronx on August 26
Grand Concourse between East Tremont Avenue and Mosholu Parkway
Tagged
new york city
open streets
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Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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