c/o Streetopia Upper West Side
Have you ever wondered what a reimagined West 72nd Street – one that is more green and friendly to pedestrians, and less of a highway or thoroughfare – could look like? Or, maybe you’re a vehicle owner who relies on the street’s free parking and relatively easy east-west access.
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Streetopia, an organization whose mission is to “to shift our landscape from one that is dominated by cars and trucks to one that is built around beauty, interaction, health and connection,” has launched a campaign to make major changes to one of the Upper West Side’s main arteries.
The organization’s proposed changes are based on the belief that W. 72nd St. between Riverside Park and Central Park is a “wide arterial with six lanes dominated by cars—a street designed more for a suburb than one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the nation,” and should be redesigned to favor bus riders, bike riders, and pedestrians.
“A complete street redesign of West 72nd Street would improve the lives of everyone who lives, works, or otherwise relies on the corridor,” Streetopia says on its website.
The ambitious proposal (which can be viewed in its entirety here) recommends a variety of changes aimed at making W. 72nd St. a “people-first crosstown corridor connecting Central Park and Riverside Park.” An excerpt from a Streetopia email announcing the campaign includes the following proposed alterations:
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#000000″ class=”” size=”16″] “It might include bus priority lanes with local access for vehicles and deliveries; a world-class, all ages and abilities bikeway; expanded sidewalks for pedestrians and shorter crossing distances at every intersection; mid-block crossings on every block; and a repurposed curb lane that serves multiple uses, not just free overnight parking—things like rain gardens to mitigate the effects of climate change, trash containers to discourage rats, and loading zones so package delivery workers have a place to be that doesn’t block the street. Plus, many, many trees.”[/perfectpullquote]
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Proposed changes to traffic flow on the UWS are often met with debate, whether it be broader adjustments like what Streetopia’s proposed or temporary closures for initiatives like Open Streets. ILTUWS readers who are generally against pedestrianized zones have shared comments like:
- “Stop taking parking away from your residents and constituents…We have huge problems in our city and you’re focusing on taking away our parking!??”
- “No one utilizes the closed streets, I have seen cars go on them, and YES we have two beautiful parks for a good reason!!!”
- “Please stop trying to make over the city to be like the suburbs. We who have lived in the city for many years like it as it is, URBAN. If you are looking for greenery, go to one of the parks and enjoy, but stop trying to turn the city into a pedestrian mall.”
The proposal uses the block between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues as a case study. Currently, that stretch has four lanes of vehicle traffic and two additional curb lanes, primarily for parking. Streetopia proposes a two-way cycle track, two bus priority vehicle lanes for local access only, and a staggered curb lane. Trees and benches would then dot the sidewalks.
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Those changes would leave only one vehicle lane each way on a street already dominated by buses and commercial vehicles, and Streetopia’s proposal suggests those lanes accommodate local traffic only, which could result in a backlog of traffic on adjacent streets.
The plan would also decimate free overnight parking along West 72nd Street, and would likely make it more difficult for delivery vehicles and taxis to pull over where they need to, which could negatively impact elderly and disabled residents.
Streetopia is prompting UWS residents to send letters to local elected officials, the Department of Transportation and Community Board 7, which you can do here.
I like this idea. Geta rid of all the non-commercial double parking.
Worst idea ever!! Do not do this! Only worse idea are the ridiculous bike lanes built in to Columbus and other Avenues.
I live on West 72nd and appreciate it for the ease of access and egress by car, taxi, uber, etc. Pedestrian “malls” have failed in almost every city. Also, the traffic that this would create would be horrific, not to mention to pollution, exhaust fumes, etc.
This article fails to mention that Streetopia whose director is Carl Mahaney is part of a multimillion dollar lobby Transportation Alternatives whose greated supporter is Mark Gorton CEO of Tower Research LLC an eight billion dollar hedge fund with offices around the world. There is nothing “local” about Streetopia. Another group of TA is StreetsPAC their donation arm that has given “donations” to every politician in this city. They want you to become dependant on for profit Lyftt citibikes, & carshares that are taking up desperately needed parking. Most of us can not afford $700 garages. I always biked and use public transportation. As tax payers we could use more bus shelters & elevators.
Well said!
Superb plan! I only hope it comes to fruition!
Awful! If you don’t like life in a major metropolis, take yourself off to the suburbs where you will not be bothered by all the things that make a city great!!
yes totally agree. you want a car, go to the suburbs.
Read the “report” and you’ll see it’s just plain dishonest.
It says that only 1.8% of the street is “for” pedestrians and buses.
In fact the street as laid out in 1811 is 100 feet wide and 40 feet are sidewalk.
In fact the travel lane space (another 40 feet) is for buses as much as any other vehicle.
In fact the “report” says half the 60 feet of roadway should be a ‘meandering’ two way bike lane, leaving almost nothing for deliveries to the approximately 20 restaurants on the street or for any other of the 100 or so storefronts on the street.
It’s a prescription for delayed buses, fire trucks, ambulances, taxis, and police cars, all in the name of limiting those dreaded “cars.”
I’m with you. 72 street ain’t broke so don’t fix it.
This redesign idea is selfish for those few people it will benefit.
72nd ain’t broke? Lolol. It’s an ugly, horrible Street with trash, rats, and mostly dead trees. It’s the worst, most unappealing area on the UWS. I’m not saying this plan is the way to go, but something should be done to make it more appealing and more of a neighborhood.
72nd Street is by far the worst street on the UWS. Have you even walked along it, especially by Broadway? Or at night? Its a cesspool. Stores open and close so fast I sometimes loose track of where I am. I personally don’t have a good solution but apart from demolition the entire street and buildings anything is worth a try.
Pedestrianization of 72nd St is a horrible idea. It’s a major crosstown bus thoroughfare that would only result in even more delays than there already are with more people and bikes in the street. Plus it’s a mostly direct route that enables cars to go across from FDR Drive to Henry Hudson without having to drive throughout the city, a big plus if the supposed goal is to reduce car traffic.
No.
Terrible idea. Beautify the street as you wish, but don’t make it into a pedestrian mall. Feels like an artificial city/ disney complex/ suburban mall everywhere I’ve been where they try to create that environment. Keep it urban with block by block beautification. Folks on 72nd street need access with vehicles .Walk to the beautiful parks we have surrounding the west side. Cars are not enemies. They help keep the UWS vibrant with people moving to and fro and enjoying what we have to offer as well as allowing people to live in the city and commute to jobs elsewhere. They are economically essential for individuals and neighborhood businesses to survive. FYI, I’m an USW resident recently part time and love the vibrant neighborhood, the parks , and the current vibe. I own a car but also two bikes which I frequently use.
Anything that will improve the ugliness and filth of 72 st is welcome. Especially the corners of 72nd and Amsterdam and 72nd and Broadway. They are disgusting and disgraceful.
NO. Just NO. Just PLEASE NO! NYC isn’t Amsterdam, never was and never will be. Why even try this proven failure? As the poster above said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it.” Leave us alone with all your so-called “improvements”!
This article was so biased against this idea by only sharing quotes from people who don’t like the idea. I live and drive on the UWS and have for many years. I think redesigning our steeets for the safety of people walking and biking sounds great. Incredible cities all over Europe that so many people go visit have amazing pedestrianized streets. NYC is behind in rethinking our public space to deprioritize cars and open things up for everyone to use.
Agree, this article didn’t even try to show another perspective – why only quote commentors against the plan?
I live right next to this block and love this idea, we need more space for pedestrians & this would calm the out of control traffic that is choking our streets.
Bloody awful idea. Also redundant. From a w 73 St resident. There are 2 great parks now north and south of W 72 St. with great walking and bicycling opportunities.
correction. There are 2 great parks now east and west of W. 72 St….
“It might include…things like rain gardens to mitigate the effects of climate change”
Good lord. Seriously? Will the rain gardens feature rainbows and unicorns, too? Please focus your energy on the far more egregious problems plaguing the city like the housing shortage and horrifically high cost of living. West 72nd Street is a wonderful street. Hands off!
How do you leave Manhattan with your family to visit relatives? Do you need your car to work outside of Manhattan? How does a family go camping? How do essential workers who can not afford to work here park their cars?
We need more lite rail over all our bridges and tunnels, not using tax payer money for more unecessary bike lanes.
We need more bus shelters & elevators for our subways. Don’t you think?
While you’re at it, why not just eliminate all the retail in one blow instead of letting them strangle slowly when they cannot get deliveries, make deliveries, or allow clients to access them for pickups? As a retired retailer I understand how important vehicle access is to a small business. Are there any retailers included in the group that makes these suggestions?
LDF,
It looks like the City is actively prioritizing ecommerce and restaurants – and has little interest in supporting local/independent retail and business.
Actually the City is even developing ecommerce loading/staging areas to make things easier for ecommerce.
Deborah,
You don’t need a car to go up state? Trucks aren’t necessary for deliveries.
It’s generally a dumb idea, like most “bike” lanes. It’s not as if the sidewalks between Central Park and Riverside Park on W72nd Street aren’t wide.
I hope this gets some traction. 72nd Street is a filthy dump. It always feels seedy and less safe than other streets on the UWS. Just adding additional trash cans would be a major improvement.
Ridiculous idea – you pampered people obviously never needed professional services of a plumber or electrician or your precious deliveries from Amazon and Fresh Direct? Leave our streets alone, we need some vehicular traffic.
If I understand correctly it is Streetopia/Transportation Alternatives bicycling lobby group that submitted one of the participatory budgeting proposals – assessment of redesign of 70-72nd Street?
The listing of the proposal does not clearly indicate that ease of bicycling is the primary goal.
Also interesting – no mention of reinstating the M5 bus stop to Broadway?
The M104 and M5 used to be co-located.
But the M5 was moved around the corner when the new building/Trader Joe’s was built and DOT shrunk the streetscape.
72nd street? Never going to happen
I like that stretch as it is — commerce and traffic move expediently and pedestrians can walk comfortably. Less bike lanes the better too, IMO. Cyclists don’t abide by traffic rules / lights which anyone who has entered into Central Park via the 77th Street access can attest to.
If I had my way, I’d love to see a study on who is, and isn’t, driving and parking on 72nd + the UWS more broadly.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the results showed:
* the majority of cars parked / driven were owned by a small minority of local residents
* the majority of trips were to destinations within 10 miles
* the majority of those trips are identical to those taken by the non-car-owning majority using mass transit
Vehicle friendly streets are essential for commercial purposes (firefighters, construction, servicers, etc.). But reducing vehicles on one polluted street? Must we always be condemned to tyranny by minority rule? A green 72nd seems like a win to me.
Great. Let’s make the city look like a suburb. No thanks. Walk on the existing sidewalks. How difficult is that? Do we really need to waste money on this hoohah?
This is a great idea! The city should implement this immediately here and on the UES portion of 72nd. I would make this a great horizontal extension of Central Park instead of a dead end street that is clogged with double parking day and night.