Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
"Atlantic Yards"

Ratner’s Sidewalk Seizure: Marginalizing Pedestrians for Three Months

After yesterday's post showing the sidewalk appropriation going on at Pacific Street and Sixth Avenue as part of Forest City Ratner's Atlantic Yards project, DOT sent an email explaining why this is happening:

We approved a plan at this location to permit two-way traffic using a portion of the sidewalk during sewer installation for approximately 12 weeks. This kind of arrangement is not unique and has been used on projects such as the Second Avenue Subway and on major projects on 34th Street in Queens or Richmond Terrace on Staten Island. We inspected the location this morning and instructed the contractor to replace the wooden barrier with one made of concrete and to extend it in both directions while maintaining at least a five-foot-wide pedestrian walkway, and to install additional signs as was part of the original, approved plan. We will continue to monitor the area.

I'm still wondering why the east-bound lane of traffic can't just take a detour onto Sixth Avenue.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Moped Rider Killed by Ambulance Driver

A man on two wheels was killed.

February 2, 2026

Forget Free Buses: Mayor Mamdani Should Instead Seek ‘Audacious’ Subway Expansion

The same billion-dollar outlay that Mayor Mamdani hopes to allocate for fare-free buses should be spent instead on rewriting the subway map.

February 2, 2026

Monday’s Headlines: Spotlight on ICE and Ice Edition

The snow continued to give newsmen and women plenty to work on all weekend — and revealed cracks in Mayor Mamdani's icy resolve. Plus other news.

February 2, 2026

On The Road: Delivery Workers Face Scary Trips, Minimal Tips, App Tricks

Delivery workers continue to brave icy roads, freezing temperatures and low tips as Mayor Mamdani vows to help make their jobs less "relentless."

February 1, 2026

The Streetsblog Angle: The 70th Street Bike Lane Is In the Epstein Files!

Somewhere, maybe, Woody Allen finally regrets opposing that bike lane.

January 30, 2026

The Mamdani Effect: Three Delivery Apps Must Pay $5M In Minimum Pay Settlement

A new era: Mayor Mamdani's worker protection department announces new enforcement against UberEats, HungryPanda, and Fantuan for not complying with the minimum pay law.

January 30, 2026
See all posts