Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Development

Want a New Public Plaza in Your Neighborhood? Apply Now.

3:43 PM EDT on June 25, 2008

publicplazaflashimage.jpg

Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan unveiled the Department of Transportation's New York City Public Plaza Program last night at the Pratt Institute in Manhattan. Through the program, DOT aims to transform "underused streets into vibrant, social public spaces" throughout New York City. To create and run these new public plazas DOT is seeking to partner with local non-profit organizations.

The initiative is "the first community-based planning program that has capital funding attached to it," Sadik-Khan said. DOT has allocated $43.1 million in capital funds over three years (about $14 million per year) for planning, design and construction of the new public spaces. Additionally, Commissioner of Small Business Services Rob Walsh said that his agency has allocated $50,000 per year over three years to pay for the programming and maintenance of plazas in neighborhoods with no business improvement district (BID).

DOT is accepting applications from community groups through Tuesday, August 19. Applications can be downloaded here. There will be an information session on Wednesday, July 16th, from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at 40 Worth Street, Rm. 814.

Sadik-Khan is urging New Yorkers to be creative in coming up with public plaza partnership ideas. "Partners don't just have to be BIDs," she said. Community development corporations, public hospitals and civic organizations would all be considered as long as they can show they have "some organization and maintenance capabilities." Sadik-Khan also noted that that low- to moderate-income neighborhoods that currently lack parks and open spaces will be given priority as a part of PlaNYC's commitment to create a park or public space within a 10 minute walk of every New Yorker.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Police Brass Gets Booed During E-Vehicle Safety Alliance Meeting for Applauding Deliveristas

Attendees of the E-Vehicle Safety Alliance's latest meeting castigated a Transportation Bureau deputy inspector for saying that delivery workers are responsive to safety issues.

September 28, 2023

Thursday’s Headlines: Unsafe School Streets Edition

A school crossing guard was injured by a drunk driver on Tuesday. Plus more news.

September 28, 2023

EYES ON THE STREET: Drivers Dominate Former W. 22nd Open Street

Meh. The barriers are gone and the cars are back on W. 22nd, but some spaces for people remain.

September 28, 2023

‘Not Grieving Alone’: A Father’s Artistic Journey After Losing Two Kids to Road Violence

Colin Campbell and his wife Gail Lerner lost both their children in a car crash with impaired driver. Now, it's a show.

September 28, 2023

Opinion: Bring Back ‘Give Respect/Get Respect’ Campaign

If cyclists don't throw their own bad apples under the bus, we won't get safer streets, argues this West Side advocate.

September 27, 2023
See all posts