NYC Open Streets Poised For 2021 Expansion, With Help For Locals

NEW YORK CITY — The city's newly-permanent Open Streets program is poised for a spring revival.

Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled refreshed, yet still simple, guidelines for the program on Thursday — the same day applications reopened.

He also pledged the city will provide support for communities that put up signage, close streets and set up barriers.

"We are going to ensure that it's even better in 2021 than in 2020," he said. "We have a chance now to learn from some of the things we did in 2020 and improve upon this amazing, amazing initiative."

The Open Streets program began as an effort to help New Yorkers safely social distance and exercise as the coronavirus pandemic struck. But it quickly expanded into a massive fundamental shift in how the city uses street spaces for recreation and dining — the largest open streets effort in the nation.

Safe streets have hailed the effort, but they also pressed officials to go farther, such as by making some open 24/7.

The new guidelines outlined by de Blasio and Hank Gutman, the city's transportation commissioner, don't quite meet all the advocates' demands. But they do promise to support communities that run the streets — a key area of concern for many locals who feared their lower-income areas couldn't afford the costs.

Open Streets is largely paid for by local organizations despite being a city program.

"We are planning to address that, so again don’t let that deter you from applying,” Gutman said.

Gutman said new guidelines will require better signage and metal barriers for streets.

Groups can apply at www.nyc.gov/openstreets.