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.
[Press Release] PHNDC launches petition to keep Prospect Heights streets for people
A majority of residents surveyed support efforts to reimagine public spaces, yet intervention by a vocal but limited opposition has gained traction with the Mayor.
Tell elected officials: Keep Prospect Heights streets for people
Street safety and public space initiatives on Underhill and Vanderbilt Avenues serve thousands of New Yorkers each week, creating safer streets for cyclists and pedestrians, offering several acres of new temporary and permanent open space, and providing a venue for more than a hundred free events each year.
Implementation of the Underhill Bike Boulevard
Prospect Heights UFO lands in new floating parking lane, creating NYC’s first spaceship protected bike lane! For nearly two and a half years NYC DOT has been studying Underhill Avenue, talking with community members and collecting data on how to make the street safer. Their plan is finally being implemented, as crews began working on Underhill Ave over the weekend.
DOT presents Underhill Street Improvement Project in CB8 EST meeting #4
On May 23, DOT presented detailed street improvement proposals for Underhill Avenue in the Environment, Sanitation and Transportation committee meeting of Community Board 8. Click through for a link to the DOT presentation.
[Press Release] Elected officials, community organizations and civic groups call for City roadmap to equitable, sustainable and permanent Open Streets
Community organizations sponsoring New York City Open Streets gathered with elected officials and advocates for a rally that both celebrated the success of a program that creates new public space from streets, and also demanded City action to address operational burdens that limit its expansion and threaten its sustainability. Organizers presented a vision for “Future Streets” that add vibrant public spaces, promote economic growth, increase traffic safety, and reduce carbon emissions—and which are accessible to all neighborhoods regardless of income and community resources.
Events
[Press Release] PHNDC launches petition to keep Prospect Heights streets for people
A majority of residents surveyed support efforts to reimagine public spaces, yet intervention by a vocal but limited opposition has gained traction with the Mayor.
Tell elected officials: Keep Prospect Heights streets for people
Street safety and public space initiatives on Underhill and Vanderbilt Avenues serve thousands of New Yorkers each week, creating safer streets for cyclists and pedestrians, offering several acres of new temporary and permanent open space, and providing a venue for more than a hundred free events each year.
Implementation of the Underhill Bike Boulevard
Prospect Heights UFO lands in new floating parking lane, creating NYC’s first spaceship protected bike lane! For nearly two and a half years NYC DOT has been studying Underhill Avenue, talking with community members and collecting data on how to make the street safer. Their plan is finally being implemented, as crews began working on Underhill Ave over the weekend.
DOT presents Underhill Street Improvement Project in CB8 EST meeting #4
On May 23, DOT presented detailed street improvement proposals for Underhill Avenue in the Environment, Sanitation and Transportation committee meeting of Community Board 8. Click through for a link to the DOT presentation.
[Press Release] Elected officials, community organizations and civic groups call for City roadmap to equitable, sustainable and permanent Open Streets
Community organizations sponsoring New York City Open Streets gathered with elected officials and advocates for a rally that both celebrated the success of a program that creates new public space from streets, and also demanded City action to address operational burdens that limit its expansion and threaten its sustainability. Organizers presented a vision for “Future Streets” that add vibrant public spaces, promote economic growth, increase traffic safety, and reduce carbon emissions—and which are accessible to all neighborhoods regardless of income and community resources.