Public comments focus on added construction costs and impact on affordable housing. On February 4, 2009, the City Planning Commission heard testimony on the Department of City Planning’s proposed bicycle parking text amendment. The proposal would mandate the addition of secure bicycle parking for new buildings, enlargements of 50 percent or more, and conversions to residential use. The regulations would apply to multi-family residential, community facility, and commercial uses, as well as public parking garages. The required number of spaces would differ among uses, but affected buildings would be required to provide 15 sq.ft. per bicycle parking space or as little as six sq.ft. if a more efficient layout were submitted to Buildings. The space would not count against floor area limitations, and the requirements could be waived for smaller buildings such as residential buildings with 10 units or less.

At the public hearing, a representative of Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer testified that Stringer supported the proposal and believed that the amendment would promote PlaNYC 2030’s initiatives for increasing bicycle ridership and reducing traffic congestion. He also stated that more bicycle lanes and signage should be implemented to protect riders. An AIA representative expressed support for the proposal, but offered recommendations to make the regulations less burdensome on developers. Among these suggestions were expanding and simplifying the waiver process, and applying a graduated scale to cap the total number of spaces for large commercial buildings. (more…)

Riders use the new bike path on the Brooklyn Bridge. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

The new bike lane is the first reconfiguration of the Brooklyn Bridge since 1950. On September 14, 2021, the new two-way protected bike lane on the Brooklyn Bridge was completed and open for use. The new bike lane provides protection for cyclists and pedestrians, who now have exclusive access to the promenade where the bike lane previously was located. For CityLand’s prior coverage of this project, click here.  (more…)

City Council Speaker Corey Johnson at the Council Stated Meeting. Image Credit: John McCarten

The Speaker’s bill looks to change the way the entire city shares the streets. On October 30, 2019, the City Council approved Intro 1557-A, a five-year comprehensive plan for city streets, sidewalks and pedestrian spaces. The bill was approved by a vote of 35 in favor to 9 opposed with two abstentions. The bill was first introduced by Speaker Corey Johnson on May 29, 2019, heard by the Committee on Transportation on June 12, 2019, and later amended and approved by the Committee on October 29, 2019.

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Rendering of the new causeway design of City Island Bridge. Image credit: DOT.

New causeway design for City Island Bridge applauded by community and local elected officials. On May 21, 2014, the City Planning Commission unanimously approved an application by the New York City Department of Transportation and Department of Parks and Recreation for a city map amendment to facilitate the construction of a new City Island Bridge in the Bronx. City Island Bridge, which connects City Island to Rodman’s Neck, was built in 1901 and was determined in 2002 to be in a state of serious deterioration.  The new bridge would be located in the same footprint as the existing bridge, but will now be approximately 68 feet wide, 17 feet wider than the existing bridge. The wider bridge would allow three standard-width traffic lanes and two 6-foot wide bicycle lanes with two 7-foot wide pedestrian walkways, one on each side of the bridge. (more…)

DOT Commissioner Rodriguez joins Council Member Crystal Hudson, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and community leaders for the ribbon cutting of the new expanded pedestrian plaza on Underhill Avenue. Image Credit: NYC DOT.

On January 21, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced the completion of a new pedestrian plaza on Underhill Avenue between Atlantic Avenue and Pacific Street in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. Agency and elected officials joined community partners in celebrating the ribbon cutting for the new plaza, which includes an extension of Lowry Triangle into the roadway.  (more…)