This week, we gathered to envision a Brooklyn with Low Traffic Neighborhoods with the Brooklyn Borough President’s office.
The room was full of people who care about calmer, quieter, more livable neighborhoods. 🧡
✉️ Ask for LTNs: https://bit.ly/4b9CQkg
"Sabina Sethi Unni, an urban planner at Open Plans, an advocacy group promoting the implementation of school streets in NY, says the Paris case study has been inspiring. She expects the number to increase 'significantly' under [the new administration]."
https://on.ft.com/4aLDp4X
Thank you @cmshahanahanif.bsky.social for raising this important topic! We're glad to hear that Commissioner Mike Flynn is committed to not only creating public spaces, but maintaining them too. Our Public Space Management report has recommendations to do just that: www.openplans.org/framework-fo...
& please consider testifying, either in person or in writing. Here’s our toolkit with some additional talking points:
📢 We urge our leaders to make the right decision and bring back year-round outdoor dining once and for all.
👉🏼 Show your support for year-round outdoor dining by sending a letter: action.openplans.org/support-year...
We’re thrilled to hear Commissioner Mike Flynn confirm that @nyc-dot.bsky.social supports Int 655 to make outdoor dining year-round! @cmrestler.bsky.social @speakermenin.bsky.social let’s get this passed asap before the new season begins
Second, @openplans.org and @bkbpreynoso.bsky.social's office are hosting an event on low-traffic neighborhoods (LTNs) and how they promote safety, health, and community. This event is at Borough Hall (209 Joralemon). Doors open at 6 PM; the panel is 6:30-7:30. RSVP: www.openplans.org/events/ltn-b...
And to support the Streets Plan, the Council should pass Res. 141, which would give NYC the authority to better automatically enforce our curbs. Expanding automated enforcement is already a stated goal in the Streets Plan, but the City needs State permission to make it happen.
The DOT should also ✨expand the School Streets program✨ with the goal to establish School Plaza Blocks. An incredibly beneficial program, yet it's far from reaching its full potential.
And ✨universal daylighting✨, which is a no-brainer. The City should pass Int. 511 already.
Speeding up our buses will be impossible without reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT), so the Streets Plan should include a ✨VMT reduction goal✨ of 40%. This would also advance safety and climate goals, and reduce traffic and congestion. Wins all around!
Five ✨Low Traffic Neighborhoods✨ in each borough by 2023 would limit cars using local streets as shortcuts, and help reach several key goals in the Streets Plan: safer, more accessible streets for pedestrians and cyclists. 🚶🏻♂️🚴🏾♀️
Join us to testify and share your story tomorrow Friday, Feb 27 at 1 PM. You can register here: council.nyc.gov/testify/?eid...
The city should also focus on removing snow entirely from busy streets, intersections, and sidewalks, instead of just pushing it aside. Clearing these spaces restores full access for pedestrians, buses, deliveries, & emergency services.
In the past, NYC had 'snow emergency routes' where parking was restricted to prioritize plowing and de-icing during and after storms. Bringing these back would maintain access for emergency vehicles and essential services, improve bus reliability, and prevent transit disruptions.
Additionally, the city must prioritize clearing intersections, crosswalks, curb ramps, & bus stops. Snow buildup at these spots reduces visibility, blocks ADA access, & increases crash risk. Safe crossings require active snow removal to maintain accessibility for all pedestrians.
During major storms, uncleared sidewalks can cut residents off from transit, medical care, & basic necessities. Key walking routes, especially near transit, schools, hospitals, and grocery stores, should be prioritized & treated as essential infrastructure.
NYC’s snow removal approach left many sidewalks, bus stops, & intersections covered in snow. Making it nearly impossible to move around, especially for wheelchair users, seniors & caregivers. Tomorrow's oversight hearing is our chance to ask for better.
Bronxites!!
Join Open Plans and Noches Mexicanas for a social hour, to learn more about Community Boards here In NYC and mingle with current and prospective board members and local merchants!
📅 March 2, Monday, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
RSVP: https://www.openplans.org/events/cb-social-hour-mar2
The 2026 ✨Public Space Awards ✨are happening this April! We could not be more excited to celebrate our city’s streets and public spaces and the people who make them thrive!
🎟 Get your tickets now: https://www.openplans.org/public-space-awards/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=organic
📢 TOMORROW in Manhattan!!🧡
Join us tomorrow at 6pm for a social hour, to learn more about Community Boards here In NYC and mingle with current and prospective board members.
RSVP: https://luma.com/cb-sh-anew-op
Manhattan!!
Join Open Plans and Anew for a social hour, to learn more about Community Boards here In NYC and mingle with current and prospective board members and local merchants!
📅 Wed Feb 18, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
📍Anew HQ, 528 Hudson St, 10014
RSVP: https://luma.com/cb-sh-anew-op
We applaud Speaker Menin and Council Member Restler for making curbside dining a priority, and for treating outdoor dining as the civic infrastructure it has become. New Yorkers have made it clear they want these spaces to stay, and now our policy is finally catching up.
When we launched Open Plans’ first Curbside Restaurant Week, thousands of New Yorkers showed up to support 40 restaurants in every borough. The appetite for curbside dining has always been there, but we have lacked an equitable system for running it.
A year-round program with less red tape will give smaller restaurants in neighborhoods across the city the opportunity to take part.
Since the pandemic, this program has enjoyed widespread popularity.
The reintroduction of the curbside dining bill is a gamechanger for outdoor dining in New York City.
Right now, curbside dining is overwhelmingly concentrated in higher-income areas, not because demand is lacking elsewhere, but because the barriers for entry have been too high.
@ny4p.bsky.social @transalt.org @openplans.org joined to support the community-led effort for a permanently car free Freedom Dr., Together we urge @mayor.nyc.gov to prioritize safety, access, and community in Forest Park.
📢 TOMORROW in QUEENS!! 🧡
Join us tomorrow at 6pm for a social hour, to learn more about Community Boards here In NYC and mingle with current and prospective board members.
RSVP: https://www.openplans.org/events/cb-social-hour-feb12
QUEENS!!🧡
Join us, Neighbors for a Safer Austin Street and Central Queens Micromobility for a ✨social hour✨, to learn more about Community Boards here in NYC and mingle with current and prospective board members.
📅 Thursday Feb 12 at 6PM
RSVP: https://www.openplans.org/events/cb-social-hour-feb12
Flyer for a summer internship program. A group of people walk on a New York City street with a yellow taxi in the background. Text reads: 'Our summer internship applications are open. Gain real-world experience in advocacy, research, and public policy. Apply Now. Applications close on March 1st.'
Join us as a ☀️summer intern☀️ and dive into hands-on work making NYC a more livable place for everyone 🌳🚲🚧🚏.
📅 Applications are open until March 1st!
Apply: openplans.org/internships
Transit Justice = Freedom. We’re proud to stand with riders calling for a truly affordable city with truly affordable transit for every NYer.
Join us tomorrow 2/4! 📍City Hall at 12 PM
Join the fight for affordable transit, email Mayor Mamdani: https://action.ridersalliance.org/email-city-hall/
