Streetsblog New York City

In the first of many shorts we will present over consecutive days, The Open Planning Project's Executive Director Mark Gorton tours the streets of the Upper West Side with neighbor Lisa Sladkus pointing out problems in advance of the November 6 Streets Renaissance Workshop with Jan Gehl. Today's topic is: Double Parking.

Parking policy is one of the biggest challenges that faces New York City and the rest of the U.S. In this related StreetFilm, Donald Shoup explains how responsible pricing can solve the woes of double parking and pollution, while raising revenues that can be re-invested in communities.

Help shape the neighborhood streets of the Upper West Side. Work with your neighbors to create beautiful, green streets with safer bike lanes, great walking spaces, less traffic and cleaner air. The Upper West Side Streets Renaissance Campaign is holding a series of events aimed at empowering residents to re-imagine neighborhood streets and make their visions a reality.

A Workshop With Jan Gehl, the World's Foremost Urban Designer
Tuesday, November 6th, 2007, 5:30-7:00 pm
The Jewish Community Center
334 Amsterdam Avenue at West 76th Street
Opening Reception, 7:00-8:30 Presentation

DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan will be there too. Admission is free. Seating is very limited and RSVP is required.

Howard/Stein-Hudson consultant Chris Ryan directs UWS traffic

Over 200 Upper West Siders turned out last night to tell the DOT what they think of street conditions in their neighborhood.

Held at John Jay College Auditorium on 10th Avenue and 58th Street, the premiere "listening session" of the West Side Transportation Study attracted "one of the larger turnouts" for a kickoff meeting, said moderator Arnold Bloch, of DOT consultants Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates. Covering West 55th to 86th Streets from Central Park West to the Hudson, the study aims to assess existing and future conditions through 2016, and to "develop short term, medium term, and long term improvement measures in consultation with stakeholders."

Such abstractions were not what at least one resident had in mind. As Bloch outlined the night's agenda -- the crowd would be dispersed into groups for "breakout sessions," which would consist of even smaller groups discussing a particular street use issue -- an elderly woman said she had expected some direct face time with DOT. Once she was assured that her specific concerns could be addressed by one of the many DOT personnel on hand, and after obligatory appearances by elected officials (including Borough President Scott Stringer and Council Member Gale Brewer, who helped bring about the study), attendees were shuffled off to different rooms.

There were about 40 people in my group, the majority of them in their fifties or older. At least one was in a wheelchair, and one was sight-impaired. Our Howard/Stein-Hudson moderator explained that street use issues would be lumped into five discussion topics: congestion, curb space, safety, "travel challenges," and quality of life. As we were about to be broken up into groups (one for each topic), an elderly lady -- possibly the same one from the auditorium, but I don't think so -- incited a mini-revolt, insisting it would be better if DOT staff could hear each citizen out individually. This led to a bit of a clamor before our moderator convinced everyone that the breakout session method was the best way to have everyone's comments incorporated into the study.

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Monday, September 24
6:00 to 9:30 pm
John Jay College
899 Tenth Ave. (at 58th St.)
RSVP to westsidestudy @ hshassoc . com or (917) 339-0488

Do you have thoughts about improving the bicycle, pedestrian and transportation environment on the Upper West Side? In conjunction with Councilmember Gale Brewer, the Department of Transportation would like to hear your thoughts, concerns and ideas regarding transportation issues from West 55th to 86th Streets (PDF).

From the DOT:
The New York City Department of Transportation is conducting a traffic and transportation study for the area bounded by West 55th Street, West 86th Street, Central Park West and Twelfth Avenue/Henry Hudson Parkway in the Borough of Manhattan.

The study was initiated in response to community concerns over the growth in major real estate developments and traffic congestion. The study will assess existing traffic and transportation conditions in the study area and project how future land uses may generate new trips and affect levels of congestion in the study area. Community input will be an integral part of the assessment process. After the study we will work with the community to produce recommendations to improve traffic flow and safety along corridors and at intersections, reduce congestion and improve access to local destinations.