Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
DOT

DOT Secures Federal Grant to Add More Sidewalk Seating

DOT officials and others with CityBench number 1,500, at MS 22 in the Bronx. Photo: DOT
DOT officials and others with CityBench number 1,500 at MS 22 in the Bronx. Photo: DOT
DOT officials and others with CityBench number 1,500, at MS 22 in the Bronx. Photo: DOT

A federal grant will bring more public benches to NYC sidewalks, DOT announced yesterday.

The CityBench program, a PlanNYC initiative launched in 2011, has brought hundreds of steel benches to streets across the boroughs. DOT marked the installation of the 1,500th bench yesterday, at MS 22 in the Bronx, and said the Federal Transit Authority has awarded the program an additional $1.5 million. The FTA provided 80 percent of the initial $3 million CityBench budget.

CityBench targets commercial districts and areas where seniors and people with impaired mobility lack places to sit. Bench sites can be requested via the DOT web site.

"New York's CityBench program is a welcome reprieve for many who pound the pavement every day,” said City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “The additional funding for this program will benefit many, especially those in my district of East Harlem, which has a prominent and growing senior population.”

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Highway to Hell: Fed Infrastructure Funding, Even Under Biden, Has Been Terrible for the Environment

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was bad for the climate. Wait 'til you see the Unipartisan version.

November 13, 2024

Wednesday’s Headlines: Trip and Fall Edition

OK, so I fell on my face. Be nice. I'm old. Plus other news.

November 13, 2024

DOT Celebrates A Decade of Safety Improvements on Queens Blvd.

The former "Boulevard of Death" now has protected bike lanes running for nearly its entire length.

November 13, 2024

DOT Asks Judge to Dismiss Streetsblog’s Lawsuit over Agency’s Public Info Stall

The DOT is arguing that its slow response time before providing or not providing information is "reasonable."

November 12, 2024

Tuesday’s Headline: Six-Figure Ad Buy Edition

Congestion pricing supporters call Gov. Hochul out with a six-figure ad buy. Plus more news.

November 12, 2024
See all posts