Mayor Adams’ preliminary funding of over $150 million towards a plan to pedestrianize round a dozen blocks of Fifth Ave. from Bryant Park to Central Park would broaden sidewalks by virtually half, reduce visitors lanes from 5 to 3 and add timber, planters and lighting, in keeping with Metropolis Corridor.
The challenge was first introduced in December 2022 in a plan by the mayor and Gov. Hochul to revive New York Metropolis’s postpandemic financial system. The road redesign is projected to spice up the world’s property and gross sales tax income in a key hall for town, in keeping with a launch.
“Fifth Ave. has and will always be the economic engine of our city for the past 200 years,” Adams stated at a press convention asserting the funds on Sunday, the two hundredth anniversary of Fifth Ave. “And today, we’re putting high-octane fuel in that engine to take us the next 200 years.”
Mayor’s Workplace
A rendering of the proposed Fifth Ave. redesign reveals wider sidewalks and fewer automobile lanes. (Mayor’s Workplace)
The $152.7 million will cowl the design and development, together with sewer enhancements, for the challenge, Adams stated, including that the challenge is predicted to “pay for itself” in 5 years with the elevated tax income.
The challenge, a partnership between metropolis companies and enterprise enchancment districts, seeks to offer extra space to consumers, commuters and passers-by.
“By increasing sidewalk space and beautifying this incredibly important economic engine, Fifth Ave. will return to its place as the No. 1 shopping street in the world and the crown jewel of New York City,” Madelyn Wils of the Fifth Avenue Affiliation stated on the press convention.
The plan builds on a well-liked program to close down Fifth Ave. to automobile visitors for a number of Sundays in the course of the busy vacation season. This yr, town minimize that program right down to only one weekend.
The redesign would double the width of the sidewalks to 33.5 toes and cut back crossing size by a few third, in addition to add 230 new timber and 20,000 sq. toes of planters and seating, in keeping with Metropolis Corridor.
Initially Printed: December 9, 2024 at 3:20 PM EST
