Advocates Applaud Director of the Public Realm Appointment, Demand Bold Investment in Street Safety and Public Space

Mayor Adams commits to key Open Plans goal for holistic management of public space

Misses opportunity to enthusiastically support public space
and safe streets as key to city’s future

NEW YORK, NY – Following Mayor Eric Adams’ State of the City address today, Open Plans, a nonprofit advocating for livability in New York City, called on the Mayor for bold and swift investment to make streets safer, better managed, and people-centered. Adams mentioned a number of other policies included in the Open Plans 2023 legislative agenda, including a Director of the Public Realm, addressing traffic violence, and reforming sidewalk sheds.

The Mayor announced a marquee appointment of New York City’s first-ever Director of the Public Realm. Open Plans has been advocating for this position since 2020, as a part of their proposal for an Office of Public Space Management and as a member of the Public Space Leadership Alliance. A new Director of the public realm will:

• allow for coordination between the many city agencies that work within the public realm

• invest in our streets, sidewalks, and plazas as public space

• think holistically and equitably about managing public space

• serve as a thought leader for innovative, forward-thinking urban environments

“The Mayor’s announcement of a Director of the Public Realm is a victory for New York,” said Jackson Chabot, Director of Advocacy and Organizing. “We’ve seen that well-managed public space is at the heart of economic vitality and community. Now the City must seriously commit to building public space equitably across all five boroughs. That means central leadership through the new Director, as well as on-the-ground support, prioritizing people-centered street design, and a mindset that cultivates streets, sidewalks, and plazas as inclusive public space for everyone.”

DOT’s Streets for Recovery report found that Open Streets experienced a 10% increase in business during the pandemic; streets not closed to cars saw a 29% decrease. But a lack of centrally managed, permanent programs has caused inequity and attrition. More must be done at the city level to empower these efforts in every neighborhood.

Open Restaurants must receive similar investment and structure. Open Plans has called for the City to codify a curbside dining program as soon as possible. Today, Mayor Adams echoed this in his State of the City speech – but decisive action must come from City Council. In order for the program to create the most value for New Yorkers and business owners, it must be managed by DOT, year-round, and on a sliding fee scale.

Adams’ also pledged investment in public space funding, wider bike lanes and safe intersections. His proposal to reform sidewalk sheds is included in Open Plans’ legislative agenda. These obstructing and unsightly structures blight public space and impede pedestrians and reevaluation will have a profound impact on New Yorkers’ experience of sidewalks and other public space. Adam’s committed to new shed design and increased enforcement on sheds that have been up three years or more. But additional changes around inspection requirements could make even more difference.

Mentioning traffic violence and repeat offenders, Adams pledged to work with Albany to pass the ROADS Act, a package Open Plans supports. The ROADS bills target our most dangerous drivers – those with suspended or revoked licenses; five or more red light camera violations in a year; and dangerous or impaired driving violations. Still, Adams’ focus on public safety included scant mention of the sweeping improvements and enforcement New York needs to become a truly safe city. Automated enforcement and lower speed limits must be pursued with state leadership. The promise of “safer days ahead” is hollow unless it’s paired with increased resources and mandates for DOT to make life-saving changes to our streets.

Other issues, like addressing placard abuse, were met with palliative solutions. Rather than deploy more NYPD tow trucks to penalize illegal parkers, we must think bigger; automated enforcement of intersections and curb lanes can do far more than manual enforcement, but New York City must receive authorization from Albany for a successful camera-based program. Adams should collaborate with Hochul on this initiative, and work to reduce the city fleet and city parking privileges that make up a large portion of placard offenses.

In all, Adams missed the opportunity to champion a livable city. Eliminating parking mandates as part of the City of Yes Zoning reform, expanding Summer Streets to Brooklyn and Queens (supported by each borough’s presidents), trash containerization, taking on car dependence, and reducing the city fleet were all missing.

Public spaces and their stewards are key to New York’s move “beyond recovery to an era of abundance and equity.” To build a truly vibrant future, we must employ new solutions that center our people and places. Open Plans calls for decisive action in these areas and looks forward to continued work with the Mayor, City Council, and agencies to build a more livable New York City.

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For Immediate Release
Contact:
Chelsea Dowell
347-439-1596
chelsea@openplans.org