Skip to content

SEE IT: Car-Free Mott Street is a Model for All Commercial Zones

Boosters say Mott Street points the way to what can be done citywide.
SEE IT: Car-Free Mott Street is a Model for All Commercial Zones
Mott Street is a car-free zone.

Now you can see car-free Mott Street with your own eyes.

Streetfilms auteur Clarence Eckerson filmed the official launch on Wednesday of the new open restaurant street in Chinatown between Worth and Mosco streets — and found more than 100 safe, comfortable seats in multiple dining areas along curbs that up until now had been used only by vehicles.

Boosters say Mott Street points the way to what can be done citywide.

“We really need to look all over the city at all these blocks and determine where it is appropriate to shut down a full street,” said Andrew Rigie of the NYC Hospitality Alliance.

Longtime restaurant architect David Rockwell was also on hand to see his handiwork.

“New York is about sharing the street — it’s not about empty concrete buildings, so it’s pretty overwhelming as an architect to be a part of such a wonderful community,” Rockwell said.

Rockwell’s company, The Rockwell Group, created the modular designs and is providing them for free on the company’s website.

One nifty design feature are rolling shelves filled with plants that can be pulled out from the seating areas to fully close the roadway to cars every Friday night.

NYC Hospitality Alliance President Melba Wilson saw a bigger goal than just eating.

“It is vitally important that we support our neighborhoods,” said Wilson, owner of her eponymous restaurant in Harlem.

Also watch the two-minute film for a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo by Streetsblog Editor/Recovering Shoulder Separation Victim Gersh Kuntzman and super intern Adam Light.

Comments Are Temporarily Disabled

Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.

Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.

More from Streetsblog New York City

Mamdani Administration Backs ‘Delivery Protection’ Law Opposed By Amazon-Backed Coalition

April 10, 2026

POL PLOT: Hochul’s Insurance Plan Is A Statewide Head-Scratcher

April 10, 2026

Tribeca Residents Want To Swap Parking for A Plaza at Underused Barnett Newman Triangle

April 10, 2026

Friday’s Headlines: The Streetsblog Block Party (Canceled!) Edition

April 10, 2026

‘Predictable’: Manhattan Mom Struck by Driving Scofflaw Wants Known Super Speeders off the Road

April 9, 2026
See all posts