As holiday crowds return to NYC, Rockefeller Center will have expanded pedestrian space to accommodate large crowds. Image Credit: CityLand.
Vehicle access will be restricted to protect pedestrians and provide them with more space. On November 24, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that temporary expanded pedestrian space would be added around Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall to accommodate holiday crowds. As the pandemic limited holiday crowds last year, more crowds are expected to return to New York City to enjoy holiday festivities. (more…)
Rockefeller Center will see massive crowds throughout the holiday season, prompting city officials to expand pedestrian protections around the area. Image Credit: CityLand
Elected officials have previously called attention to dangerous crowd sizes in the area during the holiday season. On November 22, 2019, the Mayor’s Office announced a temporary expansion of the pedestrian space around Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall for the holiday season. The area between 5th and 6th Avenues from 48th to 52nd Streets will be affected. (more…)
Full Council approved zoning amendment granting special authority to Planning Commission Chair. On June 23, 2005, the City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the zoning resolution allowing the Chair of the Planning Commission to authorize the use of illuminated signs in lots occupied by a landmark. The amended zoning resolution applied only to the Fifth Avenue Subdistrict of the Special Midtown District, and impacts the New York Public Library, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and St. Thomas Church in addition to Rockefeller Center. Under the approved text, Landmarks must approve the signs before the Commission’s Chair can approve.
Rockefeller Center sought to place 16 illuminated signs at four locations: the entrance to Channel Gardens, Atlas Court, and two internal locations in Rockefeller Plaza. The signs would inform visitors of the soon-to-be-reopened observation roof on the 67th, 69th and 70th floors of 30 Rockefeller Plaza and upcoming Plaza events. Retail advertising would be prohibited. The kiosks would replicate the kiosks that were located in Rockefeller Plaza until the early 1980’s when the observation roof was closed. (more…)
Rendering of proposed addition to Rockefeller University. Image credit: Rafael Viñoly Architects.
Council Member requests Rockefeller University to consider Community Board 8 and Borough President conditions. On April 23, 2014, the City Council Land Use Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises heard an application by Rockefeller University for a special permit and related actions to allow the expansion of its campus. Rockefeller University, located on the east side of York Avenue between East 64th and East 68th Streets in Manhattan and founded in 1901, is the first institution in the United States devoted solely to biomedical research. Rockefeller University is proposing to build a new structure that would serve its existing population and provide the modern bio-medical research space necessary to recruit and retain top researchers and faculty. The proposed expansion of the Rockefeller University campus includes a two-story research building, one story- interactive conference center in a demapped airspace over the Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) Drive, and a one-story building for a recreational facility. Rockefeller University is located on the southern end of a large medical and academic corridor in Manhattan, which includes New York Presbyterian Hospital, Hospital for Special Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weil Cornell Medical College. (more…)
Times Square will welcome back vaccinated guests for its New Years Eve celebration. Image Credit: Edwin J. Torres/Mayoral Photo Office.
After many closures last year, the holiday season welcomes back guests and spectators to New York City with some limitations. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly shaped holiday festivities citywide last year, with the cancellation of many live in-person events, restrictions to televised-only events, and closures of many beloved shows and attractions that draw thousands of visitors to New York City each year. After significant progress has been made in the fight against COVID-19, New York City is ready to welcome back holiday revelers. (more…)
