In policy reversal, Mayor says city will open 40 miles of streets to pedestrians

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Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city plans to open up to 100 miles of roads to pedestrians. Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city plans to open up to 100 miles of roads to pedestrians. Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

By Victoria Merlino

At least 40 miles of New York City streets will close to cars this summer in order to provide more space for residents to practice social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an announcement from Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. 

De Blasio and Johnson said the city ultimately intends to open 100 miles of streets during the duration of the pandemic, focusing on the most impacted neighborhoods in the city. Northern Queens neighborhoods of Jackson Heights, Corona and Elmhurst have emerged as the epicenter of the illness.

The announcement marks a reversal for the city, which has been slow to provide open space for residents in isolation. 

“This summer is going to look different from any other in our city’s history — and we’re ready to give New Yorkers more ways to leave home while staying safe from COVID-19,” de Blasio said. 

Up to 60 miles of streets will be located within or adjacent to parks, 20 miles will be identified in cooperation with local police precincts and community board and 10 miles will be managed by civic groups, business improvement districts and block associations, de Blasio said. In addition to these measures, there will also be up to 2.5 miles of widened sidewalks, and up to 10 miles of protected bike lanes. 

The arguments for more pedestrian street space began during the early days of the outbreak in New York City, when Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s expressed concern about overcrowded New York City parks. In response, the city opened a piece of four streets — one in every borough but Staten Island. That plan included a short stretch of 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights.

That plan was unsuccesful, with de Blasio ending the program after 11 days in early April over concerns that it drained too many resources from the NYPD without much participation. 

The Council presented a new open streets plan last week as part of its COVID-19 relief package, which also includes a boost to tenants, small businesses and essential workers.