Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about Public Space

Paris to Return Its Great Public Squares to the People

By Angie Schmitt | Sep 19, 2016 | No Comments

If you look at paintings from the pre-automotive era, Paris’s monumental public squares were full of people strolling comfortably. But over time, car traffic has consumed most of these squares. Now, under Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Paris is setting out to remake the city’s squares as great public gathering places. The city is currently in the midst of an initiative to […]

Eyes on the Street: The Return of “Plaza 33” — Maybe for Good

By David Meyer | Jul 21, 2016 | 9 Comments

“Plaza 33” is back, transforming the eastern half of 33rd Street between Seventh Avenue and Eighth Avenue into a car-free public space — and it’s set to remain indefinitely. This is the second iteration of “Plaza 33,” which was installed from July through October last year and is funded and managed by Vornado Realty Trust. Next to Penn Station, […]

Eyes on the Street: Early Spring Means Earlier “Street Seats”

By David Meyer | Mar 2, 2016 | 20 Comments

Despite this weekend’s snow forecast, for a few days there it felt freakishly like spring. Yet another sign of winter’s demise is the reemergence of DOT’s “Street Seats.” Charles Komanoff sent Streetsblog this picture of the temporary outdoor seating area being re-installed outside of Laughing Man Coffee and Tea on Duane Street in Tribeca. The corral […]

“Plaza 33” Will Return This Year, But a Ped-Friendly 32nd Street Won’t

By David Meyer | Feb 23, 2016 | 23 Comments

“Plaza 33,” the temporary public space that opened up the eastern end of 33rd Street between Seventh Avenue and Eighth Avenue for a few months last year, will be back in August and this time there are no plans to remove it once the weather turns colder. The other pedestrian improvement by Penn Station that real estate giant Vornado […]

Trottenberg Announces Plaza Equity Program at Plaza de Las Americas Reveal

By Brad Aaron | Nov 23, 2015 | 13 Comments

Just eight months after the groundbreaking ceremony, officials held a ribbon-cutting this morning at Plaza de Las Americas, an impressive new public space in Washington Heights. Also today, Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg announced a City Hall initiative to assist plazas in neighborhoods without the resources of a major business improvement district. Plaza de Las Americas reclaims one block of […]

Eyes on the Street: 33rd Street Plaza Gone… Til Next Year?

By Brad Aaron | Oct 16, 2015 | 2 Comments

Well, it was fun while it lasted. So long (for now?), #Plaza33. @Tri_State @StreetsblogNYC @Plaza33nyc pic.twitter.com/Fm8KsTYeno — Joseph Cutrufo (@joseapie) October 14, 2015 As planned, the pedestrian spaces installed near Penn Station are being removed this week. A painted sidewalk extension and seating were added to 32nd Street for the summer, while 33rd Street between […]

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