DOT proposes Avenue B makeover, looks to residents for guidance

Photo by Stacie Joy

The Department of Transportation is inviting residents to share feedback and ideas on the future of Avenue B.

The DOT "is proposing a street improvement project on the Avenue B Open Street between East 14th Street and Houston Street." 

The Avenue B Open Street Project Proposal has the following goals:

• Build on the success of the Open Street, provide permanent public space and ease operations for larger events 

• Improve safety on the corridor, focusing on schools 

• Create safe cycling connections 

• Calm traffic on the corridor to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists 

• Replace Open Street barricades with design treatments. 

A copy of the survey is here. 

Here are a few of the ideas from the proposal...

While there isn't a deadline for sharing thoughts on the proposals, organizers of Loisaida Open Streets have informed us that they hope to receive as many comments as possible before tomorrow evening's Community Board 3 Transportation, Public Safety, Sanitation, and Environment Committee meeting. 

There is an item on the docket related to preliminary findings for the Avenue B Open Street. The hybrid meeting starts at 6:30 at the CB3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery. You can also take part via Zoom. 

This stretch debuted as an Open Street during the spring of 2020. 

Per the program overview: 

New York City's Open Streets program transforms streets into public space open to all. These transformations allow for a range of activities that promote economic development, support schools, facilitate pedestrian and bike mobility, and provide new ways for New Yorkers to enjoy cultural programming and build community.