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Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
PIX on Politics Daily: Future of Fifth Avenue
NEW YORK (PIX11) — Welcome to PIX on Politics Daily with Dan Mannarino, where we break down the day's political news, headlines, and issues that matter most to you through in-depth conversation. Join us daily on PIX11+ streaming at 1:00 p.m. as we invite the newsmakers, lawmakers, and key players shaping policies that impact local communities. On Wednesday, Dan Mannarino speaks with the Policy and Communications Director for the Riders Alliance, Danny Pearlstein, about New York City's plan to transform Fifth Avenue into a world-class, pedestrian-centered boulevard. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NYC's Fifth Avenue getting $400M ‘pedestrian-centered' makeover — that drivers and cyclists are sure to hate
Fifth Avenue is getting a makeover — that drivers and cyclists are sure to hate — under a $400 million redesign project that Mayor Eric Adams announced Wednesday. The overhaul, which will be the first major redesign in the thoroughfare's 200-year history, aims to boost foot traffic in the shopping area by expanding sidewalks, trimming driving lanes and adding plants and lights, according to renderings provided by City Hall. The proposed new look for 'America's Street of Dreams' was released in October, but the multi-millions in funding to make it come true was locked down as part of Adams' budget plan for the 2026 fiscal year. 'Thanks to our 'Best Budget Ever,' we are bringing total investments up to over $400 million as we reclaim space for New Yorkers, their families and tourists, and cement Fifth Avenue's status as an economic engine and job creator for all five boroughs,' he said. Adams said the investments will pay for themselves within five years, thanks to increased sales and property tax revenues from the section of the avenue, between Bryant Park and Central Park South. Construction is not expected to start until 2028, officials said. But the ritzy redesign is already getting ripped by some New Yorkers — particularly cyclists and public transit lovers, as the current plan doesn't add bus or bike lanes. Adams' predecessor, Bill de Blasio, had planned on cutting down vehicle traffic to buses only in the space, but the mayor put those plans to bed after taking office, Streetsblog originally reported. 'Two mayors have now disregarded city workers' plans for a busway, throwing riders under the bus to favor luxury boutiques,' said Danny Pearlstein, communications director for the advocacy group Riders Alliance. 'Slow, unreliable bus service on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue wastes precious time for more than 100,000 working New Yorkers every single day,' he griped in a statement. Currently, Fifth Avenue is 100 feet wide with five traffic lanes and two 23-foot sidewalks. The corridor, sometimes called 'Millionaires row,' already features a myriad of luxe storefronts, which the city said it aims to make more accessible to pedestrians with the redesign project. The plan will nearly double the width of the sidewalks by 46%, shorten pedestrian crossings by a third, and shrink the road down to three lanes of traffic. Some city cyclists were alarmed that the plans didn't account for bike lanes on an already busy street. 'This plan entirely fails to meet the moment.' said the non-profit Transportation Alternatives in a post on X. '(Fifth Avenue) has the slowest bus speeds in NYC, and Fifth Avenue has the highest bike ridership of any street in Manhattan without a bike lane, but this plan leaves out buses and bikes entirely.' Other cycling aficionados were more optimistic. Neile Weissman, a spokesperson for the New York Cycle Club, said any plan that reduces vehicles on the roads equates to more safety for bikers. 'Making provision for cyclists would be great, but anything that makes walking and mass transit more attractive than driving for getting around Manhattan is a 'win,'' Weissman said. Dahlia Goldenberg, associate director of Families for Safe Streets, emphasized the need for protected bike and bus lanes for pedestrian safety. 'More pedestrian space is great. But speaking for an organization comprised of people who have lost loved ones to traffic crashes or experienced serious injury, a redesign of Fifth Avenue without a protected bike lane or bus lane is misguided,' Goldenberg said. 'Without space for bikes, neither people on bikes nor pedestrians can be fully protected or safe on the street,' she said. The current design was created in partnership with the Grand Central Partnership, the Central Park Conservancy and Bryant Park Corporation, the mayor's office said. Adams also introduced a plan to add a bus lane to 34th Street this week, just south of the new Fifth Avenue project, in a bid to reduce wait times for the city's over 28,000 riders. The busway — cheered by transit groups — will be the eight in the city and the seventh installed since 14th Street in 2019.
New York Post
21-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
NYC's Fifth Avenue getting $400M ‘pedestrian-centered' makeover — that drivers and cyclists are sure to hate
Fifth Avenue is getting a makeover — that drivers and cyclists are sure to hate — under a $400 million redesign project that Mayor Eric Adams announced Wednesday. The overhaul, which will be the first major redesign in the thoroughfare's 200-year history, aims to boost foot traffic in the shopping area by expanding sidewalks, trimming driving lanes and adding plants and lights, according to renderings provided by City Hall. 4 rendering of the corner of fifth ave under the proposed $400 million plan. Matthew McDermott Advertisement The proposed new look for 'America's Street of Dreams' was released in October, but the multi-millions in funding to make it come true was locked down as part of Adams' budget plan for the 2026 fiscal year. 'Thanks to our 'Best Budget Ever,' we are bringing total investments up to over $400 million as we reclaim space for New Yorkers, their families and tourists, and cement Fifth Avenue's status as an economic engine and job creator for all five boroughs,' he said. Adams said the investments will pay for themselves within five years, thanks to increased sales and property tax revenues from the section of the avenue, between Bryant Park and Central Park South. Advertisement Construction is not expected to start until 2028, officials said. But the ritzy redesign is already getting ripped by some New Yorkers — particularly cyclists and public transit lovers, as the current plan doesn't add bus or bike lanes. Adams' predecessor, Bill de Blasio, had planned on cutting down vehicle traffic to buses only in the space, but the mayor put those plans to bed after taking office, Streetsblog originally reported. 'Two mayors have now disregarded city workers' plans for a busway, throwing riders under the bus to favor luxury boutiques,' said Danny Pearlstein, communications director for the advocacy group Riders Alliance. Advertisement 'Slow, unreliable bus service on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue wastes precious time for more than 100,000 working New Yorkers every single day,' he griped in a statement. 4 Mayor Eric Adams announced the investment today to propel the project forward. Matthew McDermott 4 The renderings in their current iteration do not include bike lanes, and would reduce traffic lanes from five to three. Matthew McDermott Currently, Fifth Avenue is 100 feet wide with five traffic lanes and two 23-foot sidewalks. Advertisement The corridor, sometimes called 'Millionaires row,' already features a myriad of luxe storefronts, which the city said it aims to make more accessible to pedestrians with the redesign project. The plan will nearly double the width of the sidewalks by 46%, shorten pedestrian crossings by a third, and shrink the road down to three lanes of traffic. Some city cyclists were alarmed that the plans didn't account for bike lanes on an already busy street. 'This plan entirely fails to meet the moment.' said the non-profit Transportation Alternatives in a post on X. '(Fifth Avenue) has the slowest bus speeds in NYC, and Fifth Avenue has the highest bike ridership of any street in Manhattan without a bike lane, but this plan leaves out buses and bikes entirely.' Other cycling aficionados were more optimistic. Neile Weissman, a spokesperson for the New York Cycle Club, said any plan that reduces vehicles on the roads equates to more safety for bikers. 'Making provision for cyclists would be great, but anything that makes walking and mass transit more attractive than driving for getting around Manhattan is a 'win,'' Weissman said. 4 Fifth ave, sometimes called 'Millionaire's Row, ' is home to many luxury shopping stores and office buildings. Matthew McDermott Advertisement Dahlia Goldenberg, associate director of Families for Safe Streets, emphasized the need for protected bike and bus lanes for pedestrian safety. 'More pedestrian space is great. But speaking for an organization comprised of people who have lost loved ones to traffic crashes or experienced serious injury, a redesign of Fifth Avenue without a protected bike lane or bus lane is misguided,' Goldenberg said. 'Without space for bikes, neither people on bikes nor pedestrians can be fully protected or safe on the street,' she said. The current design was created in partnership with the Grand Central Partnership, the Central Park Conservancy and Bryant Park Corporation, the mayor's office said. Advertisement Adams also introduced a plan to add a bus lane to 34th Street this week, just south of the new Fifth Avenue project, in a bid to reduce wait times for the city's over 28,000 riders. The busway — cheered by transit groups — will be the eight in the city and the seventh installed since 14th Street in 2019.
CBS News
19-03-2025
- General
- CBS News
Leaning benches replace traditional benches at NYC subway station as part of MTA pilot program
The MTA has replaced traditional wooden benches with metal leaning benches at one popular Manhattan subway station. Several leaning benches have been installed at the West Fourth Street-Washington Square subway station. Only one wooden benches remains on one platform. In a statement, an MTA spokesperson said: Leaders with the nonprofit Riders Alliance say traditional benches should be brought back right away precisely because it is a highly trafficked station. "West Fourth Street has some of the most delayed and unreliable trains in the system," said Danny Pearlstein, policy and communication director for Riders Alliance. He also raised concerns about the impact on people with disabilities, elderly individuals and others. "If you're traveling with kids, carrying groceries or have trouble standing for long periods of time, it's really hostile to take away the benches and expect people just to lean," Pearlstein said. The leaning benches were a relief to two tourists visiting from Oklahoma. "We have been taking lots and lots of steps, so it's good to have an opportunity to kind of rest," one tourist said. They also see it as an opportunity to make more space. "It's streamlined, and it seems like it would expedite traffic on the platform," another tourist said. New Yorkers also had a lot to say about the change. "Leaning is just as good as sitting," West Village resident Deborah Lombardi said. "I think they're better than having no benches at all, but they are probably less comfortable than actually being able to sit down," West Village resident Shayan Khan said. "No. I mean, you just slide right off. Like, what? Like, this does nothing," Brooklyn resident Joey Gonzalez said. "This is ridiculous and very unfair to anybody with troubled limbs," West Village resident Elissa Paskin said.
New York Times
03-03-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Trump Official Makes Video With a Message: Kill Congestion Pricing
The Trump administration has vowed to kill congestion pricing in New York City. Now officials have taken the unusual step of making a man-on-the-street video to demonstrate what they say is public opposition to the program. Sean Duffy, the transportation secretary, posted the 26-second video on X on Friday. It starts with a question onscreen: 'What do NYC workers think about congestion pricing?' The video then features five men against a backdrop of New York street life who say that the tolling plan is 'destroying the city,' 'very bad for business' and 'definitely borderline stealing.' The video concludes with a chorus of the men saying, 'End it.' Mr. Duffy's video had racked up more than 237,000 views as of Monday afternoon. But supporters of the tolling program, which charges most drivers $9 a day to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street during peak traffic hours, criticized the clip. 'Reality television isn't real life, and the secretary's video is out of touch with how New Yorkers move,' said Danny Pearlstein, a spokesman for Riders Alliance, an advocacy group of transit riders that supports congestion pricing. The video was a new skirmish in the debate over the program, which started on Jan. 5 and aims to reduce traffic, improve air quality and help raise revenue for crucial transit repairs and upgrades. Congestion pricing has been deeply unpopular in the boroughs and suburbs outside Manhattan, with many opponents, including Republican leaders, saying that it punishes drivers who have limited and unreliable transit options and that it simply shifts traffic and pollution to other areas. But the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has pointed out that of the 1.5 million people who work in the tolling zone, about 85 percent take mass transit. Only 11 percent drive — about 143,000 drivers before congestion pricing was put in place. The program was approved in 2019 by state lawmakers and was authorized by the Biden administration shortly before President Trump took office. Last month, Mr. Duffy wrote in a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, that federal transportation officials were moving to end the tolling program. Mr. Duffy cited the cost to working-class motorists and the use of revenue from the tolls for transit upgrades rather than roads. These officials have ordered New York to stop charging the tolls by March 21. The M.T.A., which manages the tolls, has filed a lawsuit challenging the federal action in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan. The authority has vowed to keep collecting the tolls unless a federal judge instructs it otherwise. Ms. Hochul, M.T.A. leaders and supporters of congestion pricing have repeatedly highlighted its early successes. It has already helped reduce traffic and commute times on crowded roads, and it's on track to hit its goal of raising $15 billion in transit funding. In response to the video, Sam Spokony, a spokesman for Ms. Hochul, referred to Mr. Duffy's background as a star in his 20s on the reality TV show 'Road Rules: All Stars.' 'Sean Duffy's professional experience in transportation came from driving a Winnebago on a reality TV show in the late 90s,' Mr. Spokony said. 'He should know that reducing traffic is good for business! The bottom line on congestion pricing is that traffic is down, business is up and the program is delivering results for New Yorkers.' Ms. Hochul recently met with Mr. Trump to share other benefits that she attributed to the tolling plan, including rising attendance at Broadway shows, more foot traffic for businesses and an increase in commercial office leasing. Federal transportation officials did not respond to a request for comment on Monday. In posting the video, Mr. Duffy wrote on X that hard-working New Yorkers were angry 'about being charged $9 to use their own streets.' 'Don't take it from me, listen to what the people have to say about New York's congestion pricing cash grab,' he continued. 'End the disconnect. End congestion pricing. Now.'
