Jackson Heights residents back plan to make Open Streets permanent

Queens residents rallied ahead of the City Council vote to make Open Streets permanent. Photo via nyc.gov

By Rachel Vick

Update April 30, 9 a.m. The council passed the legislation to make Open Streets permanent on Thursday.

New York lawmakers are set to vote on legislation to make car-free streets a permanent part of the cityscape, one year after the newly formed boulevards began providing respite to cooped-up residents during the pandemic.

A bill introduced by Councilmember Carlina Rivera would create a permanent Open Street program in response to what she termed overwhelming support from New Yorkers.

“From Avenue B in my district to 34th Avenue in Queens and Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn, it’s clear that Open Streets aren’t just a solution to social distancing challenges posed by the pandemic,” Rivera said. “They are a successful model for pedestrian prioritization that have helped save local businesses, inspire entrepreneurs and performing artists, and connect us to our neighbors in a way that few city programs have before. 

“It’s time we expand this program equitably and make it permanent,” she added.

Under the proposed measure, community organizations could apply to operate the sites or request Department of Transportation resources to supplement volunteers for Open Streets in underserved areas. DOT would evaluate Open Street sites each year.

Rivera rallied with Queens community members and elected officials in Jackson Heights Thursday morning. The neighborhood’s 34th Avenue was designated as one of the city’s first Open Streets in April 2020. The new car-free roadway attracted performers, pedestrians and people looking to improve their English at regular language classes.

"Open Streets has enabled us to begin to heal the scars of COVID that hit us hard early in the epidemic,” said Jim Burke, co-founder of the 34 Ave Open Streets Coalition. “During this past year we have formed stronger bonds and formed new friendships on our Open Street. We have built a stalwart volunteer network that not only opens, closes and programs our streets but has come together and helped our neighbors in need.” 

The bill also has the backing of Jackson Heights Councilmember Daniel Dromm, who called for permanent Open Streets in September.

“Children from the surrounding cramped apartments safely propel their scooters down the street,” he told Streetsblog. “A small group takes a salsa dance lesson in the open. Two older women pull out lawn chairs and bask in the sun.”