In a debate held on Tuesday, and in a subsequent radio interview, leading New York City mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio indicated he'd like to study whether to bring back automobiles to a stretch of Broadway that had been closed for pedestrians.
"After doubting the Prospect Park West bike lane, opposing congestion pricing, and calling NYC Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan 'a radical' he argued that on urban planning issues he'd come around to a more progressive stance. He even promised, if elected, to increase biking eight fold," writes Andrea Bernstein.
But when asked at a recent debate if he'd remove the tables and chairs from Times Square and Herald Square, De Blasio answered, "For me the jury's out on that particular question. I think its worth assessing what the impact has been on traffic what the impact has been on surrounding businesses. I would keep an open mind."
Except the jury isn't out, says Bernstein, "this is one area where the data is in, publicized, and long-settled. Since the two squares have undergone their pedestrian-friendly designs, traffic and pollution are down, commercial rents are up, and business satisfaction in the neighborhood is way up."
FULL STORY: On Times Square Pedestrian Plaza, It's Back To the Future for de Blasio
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