A majority of residents surveyed support efforts to reimagine public spaces, yet intervention by a vocal but limited opposition has gained traction with the Mayor

On Monday, August 24, PHNDC hosted a virtual town hall meeting with representatives from the New York City Department of Transportation to discuss Open Streets initiatives on Carlton Avenue, Underhill Avenue and Vanderbilt Avenue.

This weekend’s realignment of Open Streets has raised concern among community members. PHNDC would like to offer some context:

Open Streets on Carlton Avenue and Underhill Avenue has been a boon in tough times. Although the program is authorized by DOT and uses barricades supplied by NYPD, the daily management of the barricades now relies solely on volunteer labor supplied by a small number of community members donating their free time. As barricades have deteriorated, no replacements have been provided.

The New York City Department of Transportation has approved PHNDC's request to include Carlton Avenue from Park Place to Bergen Street and Underhill Avenue from St. John's Place to Bergen Street in its Open Streets program during the COVID-19 emergency.

These blocks will operate as Open Streets from 8am through 8pm daily. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) will place barricades at the start of the day and remove them each evening.