Pedestrian Mall Proposed For 42nd Street

Urban planners in New York City are proposing that the historic 42nd Street be transformed into a pedestrian mall that would cross the entire city.

1 minute read

October 26, 2006, 5:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


Proponents of the plan argue that creating a pedestrian mall would greatly increase retail and restaurant business, raise property taxes, and reduce cross-town traffic with its planned light rail line.

"Vision42 backers say the light rail, which would run river to river along 42nd Street, and pedestrian mall would boost property values by $3.5 billion which would translate into a $277 million boost in property taxes."

"Still, the project is years away, if approved."

"It would cost an estimated $360 to $510 million to convert the streets and build the light rail system. City Hall has yet to endorse the project."

Wednesday, October 25, 2006 in amNew York

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

A group of officials stand in a patch of dirt holding golden shovels and white hardhats.

California city breaks ground on transit connector

The project includes three mobility hubs and a pedestrian bridge.

1 hour ago - Mass Transit

People walking by a brick school in Cambridge.

After public outcry, Massachusetts city releases housing development tracker

Cambridge’s tracker currently shows 250 housing projects in various stages of development.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

A rendering of the park, with green grass and a bass sculpture that looks like several tall arches in a row.

40 years after approval, Chicago breaks ground on new park

The park honors Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the city’s first permanent non-native settler.

3 hours ago - Block Club Chicago