NEW SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Future Streets
New York City introduced the Open Streets program in the summer of 2020 as an emergency response to create more space for social distancing and to help restaurants survive through the pandemic. This created a unique opportunity to reclaim public space from traffic and reimagine our streets. The reaction and the success grew in participants’ imaginations to offer an idea of what city streets could be: a place to enjoy an evening stroll or a fun day out with family; a shared “living room” for neighbors to meet up or just run into each other; and a way to build community in and across neighborhoods. Owing to its success and popularity, in 2021, the City Council voted to make the Open Streets program permanent.
In addition to providing new space for people to enjoy, the Open Streets program also makes our streets safer. A truly permanent reimagining of our public space could be transformative for Prospect Heights. That’s why the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council has been working with the New York City Department of Transportation to engage the Prospect Heights community, and together develop a vision for the future of our streets. On this page you will find a recap of what we have done thus far, and updates on next steps in this process.
Open streets organizers, elected officials rally to save popular program
Today Open Streets organizers, elected officials, and advocates gathered on the popular Vanderbilt Open Street to demand the City provide sustainable funding for the Open Streets program. Rally organizers and elected officials are asking the City for a renewed investment in the popular program, totaling $48 million over three years; they warn that without a sustainable funding model, the Open Streets will not survive.
Open Streets: how much could it cost?
Common questions we’ve received during our fundraising for the 2025 season are, “Why do you need money?”, “How much does the program cost?” and “What exactly is this to pay for?” There is a lot that goes into making Vanderbilt Open Streets happen — not even counting any of the unpaid volunteer labor — and we want to break this down for those of you who are interested in the details.
URGENT — Open Streets Coalition: Funding Concerns
We, the undersigned Open Streets volunteer committees and coordinating organizations, call on the City to fully fund the Open Streets program by allocating $48 million over the next three years to expand DOT and the City’s capacity for supporting Open Streets and directly fund the organizations operating these programs.
Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street needs your help!
Spring is in the air and it is about time that you might be wondering when the Vanderbilt Open Street will start. This program gets tougher to run every year. There are big challenges with securing enough funding from the city, and we always do whatever we can to make it work. The good news is…
DOT announces lower speed limit on Underhill Bike Boulevard
Today DOT informed us that the speed limit on the Underhill Bike Boulevard will be reduced to 10 mph, following enactment of Sammy’s law. Underhill has seen >80% reduction in crashes thanks to the bike boulevard treatment. Now the new speed limit will also lower the risk of serious injury from a crash to below 10%.
Events
Events
Open streets organizers, elected officials rally to save popular program
Today Open Streets organizers, elected officials, and advocates gathered on the popular Vanderbilt Open Street to demand the City provide sustainable funding for the Open Streets program. Rally organizers and elected officials are asking the City for a renewed investment in the popular program, totaling $48 million over three years; they warn that without a sustainable funding model, the Open Streets will not survive.
Open Streets: how much could it cost?
Common questions we’ve received during our fundraising for the 2025 season are, “Why do you need money?”, “How much does the program cost?” and “What exactly is this to pay for?” There is a lot that goes into making Vanderbilt Open Streets happen — not even counting any of the unpaid volunteer labor — and we want to break this down for those of you who are interested in the details.
URGENT — Open Streets Coalition: Funding Concerns
We, the undersigned Open Streets volunteer committees and coordinating organizations, call on the City to fully fund the Open Streets program by allocating $48 million over the next three years to expand DOT and the City’s capacity for supporting Open Streets and directly fund the organizations operating these programs.
Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street needs your help!
Spring is in the air and it is about time that you might be wondering when the Vanderbilt Open Street will start. This program gets tougher to run every year. There are big challenges with securing enough funding from the city, and we always do whatever we can to make it work. The good news is…
DOT announces lower speed limit on Underhill Bike Boulevard
Today DOT informed us that the speed limit on the Underhill Bike Boulevard will be reduced to 10 mph, following enactment of Sammy’s law. Underhill has seen >80% reduction in crashes thanks to the bike boulevard treatment. Now the new speed limit will also lower the risk of serious injury from a crash to below 10%.