Open Streets a “no brainer,”says Queens Borough President
Donovan Richards voices enthusiastic support for Queens public space
in video discussion with local advocates
NEW YORK — Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr. is pushing for the replication of Astoria’s successful 31st Avenue Open Street in areas around the borough. In a recent video conversation with neighborhood organizers and public space advocates, the Borough President lent his full support to Open Streets and car-free space throughout the city. Highlighting the equity and economic benefits of these public spaces, Richards says he’s “all in” for working with the City to turn the Jackson Heights Open Street into a permanent linear park and sees a bright future for public space that merges City resources with community-based organizing.
“From farmer’s markets to tai chi to kids’ games and more, our Open Streets and the programming they offer have been revolutionary for our city on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr. “As I discussed with the Open Plans team, I look forward to working with the DOT and all our community partners to greatly expand our network of Open Streets across Queens, as we ensure that residents in each corner of The World’s Borough have equitable access to open space.”
The video was the second in a series organized by Open Plans, a nonprofit that uses advocacy and policy to create a more livable New York City. Jackson Chabot, Open Plans’ Director of Advocacy and Organizing, leads the on-camera conversations with community members, public space advocates and borough officials. The first video highlighted Brooklyn’s Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street and spoke with the borough’s president Antonio Reynoso.
The latest conversation also features insights from Evie Hantzopoulos and John Surico, two Collective Organizers of the 31st Avenue Open Street. The organizers share the connective benefits of the Open Street to their community and discuss their process for enaging with community members. “We’ve done surveys of the Open Street and asked people what word comes to mind,” shares Surico. “We hear ‘front yard and back yard.’ This is a place where people can go or see neighbors.”
Highlights:
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=84
Donovan Richards: A Borough President’s job is to advocate for more Open Streets; he works within city government to expand the program in his borough
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=141
Donovan Richards: Open Streets as an equity solution for under-resourced neighborhoods
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=212
John Surico: Residents tell us the 31st Avenue Open Street serves as their communal “front and back yards”
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=280
Evie Hantzopoulos: The Open Street helps form strong community bonds; Open Streets offer free space that can flex according to the diverse needs of different community members
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=344
Donovan Richards: Public spaces are vital democratic and inclusive spaces for all New Yorkers
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=462
Donovan Richards: Open Streets are opportunities to carve out space among new development for underserved communities; Open Streets “redefine what our streets look like and give it back to the people.”
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=487
John Surico: Community members have drafted a Public Realm Agenda plan for the future of District 22; includes Open Streets, waterfront access, Clean Curbs, redesigning underutilized street space
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=571
Donovan Richards: biggest hurdle to getting more public space is political will; the small minority opposition is very vocal and can influence City decisions. “I view my position as a counterweight to that”
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=622
Donovan Richards: local leaders need to push DOT to build more Open Streets; “There’s really no excuse on why we should not have more Open Streets.”; Open Streets are part of a new normal, one that serves communities better than the pre-pandemic status quo
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=658
Evie Hantzopoulos: The key to seeing more people-centered space in the city is to give them resources; we can’t expect every community to have the time and resources necessary to run these programs with volunteers
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=768
Donovan Richards: opponents of the Open Street should “get with the times”; this space offers a golden opportunity for business owners to connect with their constituency; it’s a “no brainer”
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=844
Evie Hantzopoulos: Open Street organizers navigate pushback by listening and being flexible; it’s an iterative process; new programs address neeeds of specific constituents, like an upcoming Restaurant Week
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=941
John Surico: A business owners’ success is the Open Streets’ success and organizers want to help business owners be successful
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=1017
Donovan Richards: he’s “all in” to work on creating a permanent linear park through Astoria; needs buy-in from city agencies
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=1040
Donovan Richards: DOT should come up with more funding for Open Streets but ultimately they should be run and programmed by community members
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=1422
John Surico: Astoria Open Streets organizers hope to make the Open Street more and more permanent every year; looking forward to concluding this season and working on progress for 2023
https://youtu.be/Oyjs-aZLUbI?t=1440
Donovan Richards: Queens is the model for the city moving forward; they will lead the way with equitable public space
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