The New York City Department of Transportation announced Thursday that “West End Avenue has been removed from the Open Streets program.”
West End Ave has been removed from the Open Streets program. If your community group wants to partner with us on a new Open Street on the Upper West Side, email us here: https://t.co/YlxhwR590a
— NYC DOT (@NYC_DOT) November 12, 2020
The DOT’s announcement came as a surprise to many, as there was no real explanation for the agency’s decision.
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photo by Streetopia Upper West Side

photo by @katnyc2

photo by Andrea Herwitt
In response to the DOT’s announcement, Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal wrote a letter addressed to Mayor de Blasio, DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, and NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea.
“I am writing regarding the New York City Department of Transportation’s (DOT) abrupt decision to remove West End Avenue from the West 86th to 97th Streets from the Open Streets program. While there have been a series of neighborhood concerns regarding this area, it is critical that DOT work with residents to improve the safety conditions along the avenue instead of taking the path of least resistance and shuttering the program.
“It was brought to my attention by both Manhattan Community Board 7 and Upper West Side residents that many drivers are actively disregarding the City’s Open Streets regulations on West End Avenue. According to DOT, only emergency vehicles, local deliveries, pick-ups/drop-offs and necessary city service vehicles may drive on a designated Open Street. However, residents have witnessed far too many drivers break or move the blue wooden police barriers, which are meant to cordon off the street, to the side of the road in order to continue driving down the block. Whether drivers are confused by the barriers or purposefully removing them for their own conveniences makes little difference; each interaction jeopardizes the physical well-being of every pedestrain.
“This 11-block stretch of West End Avenue is supposed to be maintained by the New York Police Department (NYPD) as the area does not have a Business Improvement District, Block Association or other community partner that can oversee the street. Since the NYPD is not always present along this part of West End Avenue, residents have noticed an uptick in vehicular infractions.
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“In response to the burgeoning safety concerns, the newly formed West End Avenue Open Streets Community Coalition has proposed an alternative plan: beginning this winter, the street would be closed to traffic on the weekends only; the street would be reopened on a daily basis in spring 2021. This plan provides time for the community and DOT to identify a more appropriate community partner that can maintain the street on a permanent basis.
“Additionally, it is imperative that the DOT post more visible signage near a City-designated Open Street to alleviate confusion and to educate drivers about the closures. Barriers that have been knocked down or removed must be immediately replaced by NYPD, and until a community partner is identified, NYPD Traffic Enforcement Agents must inspect the area as part of their daily rounds.
“The Open Streets program was designed to create safe and physically distanced space for New Yorkers of all ages to walk, bike and enjoy the outdoors during the COVD-19 pandemic. As cases increase across the City, and the possibility of another lockdown looms, the need for these spaces will only continue to grow. I request that the City reinstate West End Avenue as an Open Street, and provide residents with the time to seek out another community partner. As the program expands throughout the City, it is critical that the Mayor’s Office, DOT and NYPD partner with area-elected officials to determine the needs of the neighborhood and to propose solutions that prioritize the safety and health of all New Yorkers.”
Never really made sense to me to close off WEA there. It’s so close to Riverside Park and there are no commercial businesses that could use the space (eg, outdoor dining). Probably makes more sense to close off a few different side streets near Bway/Ams/Col.
I so agree. It seemed ridiculous, but understandable in the warmer weather, but now that the weather is getting cooler those 3 people that are walking can walk on the sidewalk just as well. If I sound like a disgruntled car owner, I am. Now i can freely drive around looking for a parking space.
totally agree. One block from Riverside Park. NYC streets are difficult enough for taxis and ambulate (Access A ride) vehicles to maneuver. It’s enough already. I understand they would like to ban cars from the City all together but this is too much.
There was no need for WEA to be closed. There is plenty of open safe space for pedestrians. The closed streets only facilitate scooters and bicycles speeding 40 mph and endangering people walking everyplace. The same problem as “bike lanes” only give a license to not adhere to any logical regulation. As for police enforcement – really, get serious … I think they have their hands full with real crime? Stop whining and use ample parks and playgrounds that are provided for play and exercise.
The NYPD claimed they didn’t have the resources to staff the closed streets, which would have helped to keep them safer. Based on the resources they’ve been dedicating since this program started to closing streets around precincts it seems like those resources could have been found.
Good, this was so totally pointless to begin with.
Good riddance. Another brilliant elitist idea ends up in the trash bin. If you can’t fathom this statement, it goes like this: Let’s shut traffic down at beautiful West End with the wide sidewalks and toney buildings and make it use nasty, grimy Amsterdam and Columbus instead.
Closing streets anywhere is simply absurd. This is a city. Use the sideWALKS.
Enough with the progressive Uber liberal elitist policies.
This city needs to get back to being the greatest and that can’t be done when these types of policies are put in place.
Commerce requires movement not restriction.
Riverside park and Central Park are easily accessible.
I am so glad to see that I am not the only one who feels this way. From the get-go I thought it was ridiculous to close WEA. We have the widest sidewalks in the city and we are only one block from Riverside Park. Pedestrians making use of this new space were given a false sense of safety. With so many drivers completely ignoring the restrictions, pedestrians were actually in more danger. Good riddance!