On Thursday, New York State Assemblymember Tony Simone was joined by lawmakers, and advocates to rally in support of the temporary open street on Broadway from 35th Street to 36th Street. The pilot open street began on December 6 and is scheduled to end on January 3. They called on the Department of Transportation to make this pilot program permanent. 

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Open streets have lower storefront vacancy rates. Businesses along open streets see far faster sales growth than nearby businesses on non-open streets. The 2022 holiday season open street program that saw 11 blocks of Fifth Avenue pedestrianized induced over $3,000,000 in additional business activity for the city. Building open green space may even reduce the risk of children developing certain mental and psychiatric disorders by 55%. The evidence is clear, open streets are good for New York City.

“Today we gathered to celebrate putting people first in our public spaces! Time and time again, studies have shown that opening streets to people is good for the economy, good for physical and mental health, good for building community, and good for NY,” said Assemblymember Tony Simone. “As we celebrate this incredible temporary open street, I am finishing my Christmas list to Santa. At the top of the list is a gift for all of Midtown, making this open street permanent.”

“Open Streets make for safer, more vibrant streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and businesses. This stretch of Broadway sees a very high volume of tourist, commercial, residential, and commuter activity, so it would be incredibly beneficial to make this Open Street pilot permanent,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. "I look forward to working with the DOT and the local community to ensure that a permanent open street is designed to meet the needs of all users." 

Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said: "There is perhaps no better way of getting New Yorkers outside, away from their cars, and contributing to the vibrancy of their neighborhoods than with the Open Streets program. It is always a delight to see children and families coming together to enjoy our city's public spaces. I commend Assemblymember Simone for his strong advocacy for Open Streets, including this stretch of Broadway neighboring my district, and I join his call to make this pilot program permanent.”

Council Member Keith Powers said, “Open streets are a wonderful way to bring neighborhoods together, encourage New Yorkers to step out of their cars, and increase engagement with businesses. Broadway is a vibrant avenue, and making this pilot permanent would allow New Yorkers and tourists alike to enjoy its open space unencumbered. I urge DOT to make the pilot permanent, and to make Broadway an open street for all.” 

"Spaces like this should exist in all corners of the city! This open street shows the small-but-mighty potential of just one people-centered block; imagine the benefits if we strategically create joyful spaces in every neighborhood. Open Streets benefit local business, safety, public health, and community wellbeing; in short, they help the City be better every day. We strongly urge DOT to permanently invest in the stewardship of this block and to prioritize similar community investment across the five boroughs," said Jackson Chabot, Director of Advocacy and Organizing at Open Plans.

“Worker’s Justice Project (WJP) and Los Deliveristas Unidos celebrate the Open Street pilot as a significant achievement in transforming public spaces and turning our streets into hubs for communities to come together, connect, and build a sense of belonging, “ said Ligia Guallpa, Executive Director of Worker’s Justice Project and Co-Founder of Los Deliveristas Unidos. “We have seen firsthand how Open Streets provide deliveristas with safe spaces to rest and connect with each other and the community. We strongly support the expansion of these open spaces that can offer opportunities for our community to feel safe, share resources, enjoy art and music, and can serve as welcoming spaces for deliveristas to take breaks. We also envision such spaces evolving to include e-bike parks with charging stations nearby, further supporting deliveristas. We want to thank this community for continuously embracing deliveristas as an essential part of its fabric. Together, we look forward to reclaiming more public space for the benefit of our communities and families.” 

“Open streets are good for our health, our economy, and our community connectivity,” said Design Trust for Public Space Executive Director Matthew Clarke. “From Broadway Vision to pilot projects like the temporary open street here, we applaud DOT for major investments in the public realm and New Yorker’s well-being. Making this project permanent is a critical investment we want to see rolled out city-wide, expanding the benefits of public space access to all.”

“Broadway was made for walking – the existing segment between 34th and 35th has been incredibly successful, transforming Herald Square into a year-round plaza and oasis for New Yorkers and tourists alike,” said Jaqi Cohen, Climate and Equity Director at Tri-State Transportation Campaign. “Open Streets reshape our surroundings from loud, polluted, congested canyons to calming, quiet, beautiful promenades, improving attractiveness, safety, air quality, and noise. We’re excited to keep walking here!”

"We are thrilled to support Assembly Member Simone’s proposal to pedestrianize Broadway with a permanent Open Street from 35th through 36th," said Emily Jacobi, Manhattan Organizer for Transportation Alternatives. "The pilot Open Street proved that car-free blocks are good for business, vibrancy, and the environment -- all while giving New Yorkers more space to gather. We've been fighting for a Broadway Linear Park that envisions a car-free Broadway from Central Park to Union Square, and this is a critical step towards that goal."

"The future of Broadway between Union Square and Columbus Circle is increasingly clear; instead of a street for cars, it will be a place for the community, a place for pedestrians, a place that can draw people in.  A new plaza moves us into that future, and in the Garment District, it will be well situated to be used by a growing residential population," said Andrew Hyatt, co-lead for the Broadway Linear Park Campaign. "For these reasons and more, we strongly support Assemblymember Simone's leadership in turning the 35th-36th block into a plaza!"

"CHEKPEDS applauds the new open street pilot on Broadway. This will make pedestrians and families safe to shop and go to restaurants or to commute,” said Christine Berthet, founder of CHECKPEDS. “This is another step toward a safe and prosperous New York".