The Open Streets initiative provides more open space for pedestrians by limiting vehicular traffic. Image Credit: CityLand

The Open Streets and the new Play Streets initiatives encourage New Yorkers to go outside. On July 24, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Play Streets, an initiative provided by the City, the Fresh Air Fund, Building Healthy Communities, and the Police Athletic League to provide children with fun, socially-distant outdoor activities on twelve Open Streets throughout the City. The Open Streets initiative provides more outdoor space for pedestrians and cyclists by limiting vehicular traffic on specified streets. Mayor de Blasio also announced some streets that will be added and removed from the Open Streets program. (more…)

One of the new campaign ads to support NYC bookstores this holiday season. Image Credit: NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.

The pedestrian space around Rockefeller Center returns to help accommodate holiday crowds. On November 22, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced the City’s largest holiday season specific open street and the return of the pedestrianized area around Rockefeller Center for the holiday season, along with two new ad campaigns to support local and small businesses. Temporary pedestrian spaces ease crowding and enhance public safety as thousands of visitors and New Yorkers celebrate the holiday season.  For CityLand’s other coverage of holiday activities for 2022, click here.  (more…)

The ribbon cutting for 90 Sands. Image Credit: HPD.

The former Jehovah’s Witnesses hotel has been converted into nearly 500 affordable and supportive housing units. On November 3, 2022, Mayor Adams, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) joined nonprofit Breaking Ground to celebrate the opening of 90 Sands, a former hotel converted into 491 affordable and supportive housing units in Dumbo, Brooklyn. (more…)

Mayor Adams assists with the demolition of an abandoned dining shed at the press conference announcing the City’s new enforcement initiative on August 18th. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

Multiple lawsuits have challenged both the temporary and proposed permanent open restaurant programs. On August 18, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new enforcement initiative with multiple city agencies to remove abandoned outdoor dining sheds. The City’s temporary open restaurants program allowed for restaurants to build outdoor shed structures on sidewalks and in roadways to allow for safer outdoor dining during the pandemic. However, some of these structures have been abandoned by restaurants that have now shut down resulting in abandoned structures that have gotten many quality of life and safety complaints. (more…)

Mayor Adams joins the Hudson Square BID in celebrating the new streetscape. Image Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Hudson Square Business Improvement District was unveiled, marking the completion of the Business Improvement District’s 10-year Master Plan. On July 12, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams alongside the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Hudson Square Business Improvement District (BID), unveiled the renovated Hudson Street streetscape, marking the completion of the Business Improvement District’s first 10-year Master Plan, Hudson Square is Now, which was launched in 2012. (more…)