Manhattan CB2 Meeting on Proposal to Reclaim Road Space for Pedestrians

by calendar on March 5, 2008

When
March 5, 2008   6:30 pm   
Where
Caring Community - Conference Room
20 Washington Square North (bet. Fifth Av. & Macdougal St.), 1st Floor
Manhattan
More Info
Manhattan Community Board 2

In the first of two big developments to be presented to Manhattan CB2 this month, a joint meeting of the Transportation and Institutions committees will hear proposals from NYU to reclaim road space in the core of their campus for pedestrian purposes.

While details have not been fully announced, there are several possible plans ranging from complete pedestrianization of Washington Pl. between Broadway and Washington Square Park to scaled-back options, such as removal of parking spaces to allow for wider sidewalks and pedestrian amenities.

The reaction of the neighbors? The same as the last two times NYU proposed something similar: the plans must be stopped at all costs. Why? The loss of a few parking spaces (which are usually occupied by NYU staff anyway)? The fear of congestion? Or just refusal to cooperate with any ideas of NYU, no matter what benefit to the community?