DOT

Eyes on the Street: Sidewalk Extensions Sprout in Financial District

Late last week, DOT completed the installation of gravel epoxy sidewalk extensions in the Financial District along Broadway and Whitehall Street, from the area surrounding the famous bull statue south to an existing plaza between Pearl and Water streets. The additions feature planters and flex-post to keep drivers out, but no seating.

By Stephen Miller

12:29 PM EDT on September 24, 2012

Before the sidewalk widening, DOT counted 390 pedestrians walking in the street south of Stone Street during the peak afternoon hour.

Food truck operator Houda Elali said her truck was back to its usual location on Friday after construction wrapped up on Whitehall Street. “It’s not bad,” she said. Saying that she preferred the gravel epoxy to the usual blacktop, she added that the expanded pedestrian space is useful. “Lots of tourists come through here,” Elali said.

When the plan was unanimously approved by the Community Board 1 Financial District Committee in May, committee chair Ro Sheffe said, “What’s not to like?”

Stephen Miller

In spring 2017, Stephen wrote for Streetsblog USA, covering the livable streets movement and transportation policy developments around the nation. From August 2012 to October 2015, he was a reporter for Streetsblog NYC, covering livable streets and transportation issues in the city and the region. After joining Streetsblog, he covered the tail end of the Bloomberg administration and the launch of Citi Bike. Since then, he covered mayoral elections, the de Blasio administration's ongoing Vision Zero campaign, and New York City's ever-evolving street safety and livable streets movements.