For those that've wondered about the fate of New York's "occasionally controversial" Plaza Program projects after the administration that's championed them leaves office: Have no fear, says Janette Sadik-Khan, "This is set in stone."
This past week, local officials including DOT commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz celebrated the opening of a permanent pedestrian plaza in Brooklyn known as Willoughby Plaza. The once temporary conversion that helped to inagurate the city's Plaza Program, is just one of 50 such "temporary plazas" and more will soon be "popping up all over town."
"Still," says Matt Chaban, "some politicians have vowed to reverse the mayor and his street reshapers once he leaves City Hall." After the ceremony, he spoke with Sadik-Khan about the legacy of these projects and the prognosis for more to graduate to "permanent" status in the future.
“This is set in stone,” Ms. Sadik-Khan said, pointing out the window. “And all across town, the public is setting it in stone. If you look at the demand, at the applications that are in the door, there’s just no end in site to the number of communities that want more pedestrian space and more space to meet and sit down and create a more livable community.”
“It’s not only a safety project, it’s not only a livability project, it’s an economic development project,” Ms. Sadik-Khan added. “So it’s really a triple-bottom-line win for communities all across the city.”
Grant Helps Extend NYC Plaza Program into Less Affluent Areas
By transforming excess street space in areas like Times Square and Herald Square into pedestrian paradises, New York City's plaza program has been a huge hit. But with maintenance costs borne by local businesses, less affluent areas have missed out.
NYC Bike Share Gets a Sponsor, a Name, and a Price
Announced on Monday by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NYCDOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, America's largest bike share program will be named Citibike, for its lead sponsor Citibank, reports Branden Klayko.
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The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
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Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor
The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.
Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway
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Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access
MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.
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