This Week: Preview Plans for a Car-Free Vanderbilt Avenue

On Wednesday, the Department of City Planning is scheduled to present a preliminary proposal to upzone a sizable swath of Midtown East to Manhattan Community Board 5. The Bloomberg administration wants to modernize area building stock in tandem with the development of the Second Avenue Subway and the East Side Access project connecting the Long Island Railroad to Grand Central Terminal. As reported by Crain's and distorted by the Post, the plan includes another 21st century public amenity: the conversion of Vanderbilt Avenue, a five-block street directly west of Grand Central, into a pedestrian plaza. We'll have more on this story later. In the meantime, this week's meeting looks to be a good opportunity to show support for a new car-free space. The CB 5 land use and zoning committee meets at Bryant Park Corp., 111 W. 40th Street, #2400, at 6 p.m.

Also this week:

• Tuesday: Transportation Alternatives hosts its 8th Annual Summer Benefit, with special guest Alison Cohen, president of Alta Bicycle Share. 6 p.m.
• Thursday: Bike-share demonstration, Tompkins Square Park. Noon to 4 p.m.
• Saturday: Bike-share demonstration, Fort Greene. Noon to 4 p.m.

Keep an eye on the calendar for updated listings. Got an event we should know about? Drop us a line.