It's time to bring Universal Daylighting to a vote. Int. 1138 would daylight every NYC intersection to improve visibility and save lives, backed by 23 community boards, 170+ organizations, and 90+ elected officials. But Council Member Gale Brewer quietly removed her name from the bill despite all three of her community boards supporting it. We're calling on Speaker Adrienne Adams to demonstrate real leadership by bringing this proven safety measure to the floor for a vote.

Austin Street came alive last weekend with the first-ever Austin Day block party, showing what's possible when community comes together! Open Plans supported Neighbors for a Safer Austin Street through brainstorming, site visits, and navigating the Open Streets permit process. Families enjoyed music, kids played street safety games, and neighbors experienced their bustling Central Queens street at a slower, more human pace.

Two years after DOT released their Curb Management Action Plan, we're checking in on progress. The city has added 3,000 loading zones and launched a Smart Curbs pilot on the Upper West Side, but political interference and enforcement challenges remain. Our streets hold enormous potential beyond free parking - for loading zones, public space, outdoor dining, and flood mitigation. Here's what's working, what needs improvement, and how we can keep pushing for the curbs and city we deserve.

As NYC public schools start September 4th, we asked friends of the Open Plans community to share their hopes for the new school year. Teachers, parents, and coordinators are excited about creating safer environments during arrival and dismissal, building community connections through block parties and events, and expanding opportunities for students to learn and celebrate together. We're looking forward to helping even more schools apply for school streets this year.