JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY — Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas joined Council member Carlina Rivera to call for the passage of legislation that will make Open Streets permanent in New York City and expand the program in several ways roughly one year after the pilot program’s launch. The Open Streets initiative was started last year after the coronavirus pandemic arrived in New York City because New Yorkers needed adequate space to leave their cramped apartments and enjoy the outdoors - or even just safely commute to their essential jobs - while still being able to practice social distancing.

The legislation, Intro 1933-A, would expand on the current temporary Open Streets program by requiring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate a permanent Open Street program, under which Open Streets would be managed by DOT or local community organizations. The bill addresses many of the challenges Open Streets operators face in terms of resources and flexible Open Street design, as well as the immediate crisis facing Open Street operators that are working with a mostly volunteer force, by requiring DOT to manage or provide resources or staffing to a minimum of 20 Open Streets in areas that would be otherwise underserved. Many of these challenges were detailed by the Open Streets Coalition, led by Transportation Alternatives, in a series of letters to Mayor de Blasio. Under Council Member Rivera’s legislation, DOT would also be required to execute annual evaluations of Open Streets to determine whether to implement permanent design changes.

“Expanding and fully funding Open Streets are racial justice, environmental justice, and public health issues for our neighbors here in Jackson Heights and across the city. Our communities have historically been starved for open space and we have the opportunity to provide necessary resources now to meet the need,” said Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas. “That is why I am excited to join Councilwoman Carlina Rivera in urging that the New York City Council pass Intro 1933-A and thank her for her leadership. We can have healthy and safe communities as we begin to heal from the harm that COVID-19 caused here in the epicenter of the pandemic and this legislation helps us do that.”

“From Avenue B in my District to 34th Avenue in Queens and Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn, it’s clear that Open Streets aren’t just a solution to social distancing challenges posed by the pandemic - they are a successful model for pedestrian prioritization that have helped save local businesses, inspire entrepreneurs and performing artists, and connect us to our neighbors in a way that few City programs have before. It’s time we expand this program equitably and make it permanent. That’s why I’m proud that the legislation we are passing today not only requires DOT to use equity metrics and supply staff and resources for at least 20 Open Streets, but that it also provides more opportunities for Open Streets operators to implement new features on their streets and pursue permanent infrastructure changes as well. This is the kind of quick-build mentality we should be bringing to transportation and infrastructure projects across our City as we recover from the pandemic and build back a New York City that is green, resilient, and accessible to all,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera.

The future of the Open Streets program is getting much brighter,” said Erwin Figueroa, Director of Organizing at Transportation Alternatives. “Between this new legislation and millions of dollars in the Mayor’s budget for the program, Open Streets will be stronger and bigger in 2021 and we thank Council Member Rivera and Speaker Johnson for their crucial partnership. The success of this program and all the momentum this week is due to the incredible commitment of all the local volunteer groups that make Open Streets come to life. Going forward, we will continue to work with our coalition partners for permanent infrastructure and design solutions that will cement the success of the program for many years to come.”

"Open Streets has enabled us to begin to heal the scars of COVID that hit us hard early in the epidemic. During this past year we have formed stronger bonds and formed new friendships on our Open Street. We walk, work out, bike and study with one another on 34th Ave. We have built a stalwart volunteer network that not only opens, closes and programs our streets but has come together and helped our neighbors in need. We are grateful to Council Member Carlina Rivera and Speaker Corey Johnson for this legislation that will take a big burden off the volunteers and make Open Streets more equitable and accessible for neighborhoods throughout the entire city," said Jim Burke, Co-founder, 34 Ave Open Streets Coalition.