Over 60 neighbors of W22nd Street participated in a charette to find a common vision of how to manage the public space and its access on the West 22nd Open Street. In spite of a stormy start, everyone contributed and there was in fact much agreement. Hats off to the brave activists who organized the process. Always good to speak to each other.
That is false. There is a huge amount of pushback. Residents of the 200 block of 22nd St are against this proposal schemes up by anti-automobile fanatics and those privileged few that want to have a gated block. Every group denounced the gates and the blocking of emergency responders, garbage trucks as well as the threat to reasonable parking and garage access for residents. This is a scheme cooked up by one woman with as agenda that does not care one bit what residents want.
Agreed. Thank you for commenting James.
there was push back on the current situation, but agreements on the shared concerns for the future.
I’m very confused by all this- my poor dad almost died last year when I had issues getting an emergency vehicle to our door on West 22nd St. I’ve lived here for 50 years and this street closure is dangerous, thoughtless and exclusionary. How many elderly are unaware of these issues? Let alone their families.
This is not how streets in NYC are supposed to work.
Hello. I am a resident of the 300s block and use the parking garage on the 200s. I agree with the comments of James And Nico above. These streets were designed as cross streets to make our city work safely and efficiently. During the COVID shutdown the “Open” (actually closed to it’s original design) street made some sense. Now it is cca using more traffic, cars, trucks, taxis backing up, turning and driving in circles. Elderly can’t get to their homes, garbage trucks are blocking 8th Ave, and emergency vehicles got more traffic. I believe in protecting our city parks, building more parks on Piers and on developed properties. I am an active NYC volunteer for a your sports league and want children and adults to have outdoor space to build community and play. But not on our thoroughfare streets that serve an important purpose! Streets should streets!
well said!