34th Avenue "Open Street"

[dssjh]

the problem with closing a totally commercial street lies in the fact that it's commercial. the restaurants could have plenty of outdoor seating, but they wouldn't be able to get deliveries to fill their kitchens. retail establishments also need vehicular traffic -- to have merchandise delivered and, in some cases, to get merchandise out the door with customers.

[abcdefghijk]

I love the closing of traffic on 34th Avenue from the BQE to 98th Street.  Great idea.  But I have a question for our political representatives:  What are the most congested sidewalks in JH?  Not a trick question.  Obviously, 37th Ave and 82nd Street (between 37th Ave & Roosevelt.)  Wouldn't it make sense to close 37th Avenue to car traffic to allow for more social distancing?  It would also allow the many restaurants and small shops to expand their businesses to outside areas.  Some of the restaurants, for instance, could set up tables and service outside to expand their business, especially when they are allowed to reopen and can only have 50% or less occupancy.  They could, conceivably, have full capacity with outdoor service.  And we all love outsice dining.  Small shops could also display items outside their shops on the sidewalk areas.

Yes. This is brilliant idea. Certain early morning hours can be set aside for deliveries etc.

[abcdefghijk]

The closing of 34th Ave for use by pedestrians is fantastic.

It has become a stunning promenade. And should stay that way.

And shows us how much better a city might be for us pedestrians...We are in the majority here in NYC, after all... outnumbering car owners...

And, point of fact, thankfully we do live in a democracy...where the majority is able to change the previous status quo.

[KGDHP]

The closing of 34th Ave for use by pedestrians is fantastic.

It has become a stunning promenade. And should stay that way.

And shows us how much better a city might be for us pedestrians...We are in the majority here in NYC, after all... outnumbering car owners...

And, point of fact, thankfully we do live in a democracy...where the majority is able to change the previous status quo.

I agree...I absolutely LOVE it and think it is one of the best things to happen to the neighborhood. Would be a dream if it could be permanent. I also could very easily see 37th Avenue partially closed to create a nice promenade with outdoor seating for restaurants. We really need it...I am scared that many of our places will close if this keeps up.

[JHALUM]

If 34th avenue was closed permanently to traffic I wonder how miserable the traffic would be on 35th and Northern especially during rush hour.  The article linked  below is about two years old but it is an interesting map of household car ownership in NYC.  I think if you owned property on 34th avenue it would  go up in value and if the traffic was really bad on 35th avenue the real estate values there would go down.  I can't even imagine the horn honking.


https://edc.nyc/article/new-yorkers-and-their-cars

[abcdefghijk]

If 34th avenue was closed permanently to traffic I wonder how miserable the traffic would be on 35th and Northern especially during rush hour.  The article linked  below is about two years old but it is an interesting map of household car ownership in NYC.  I think if you owned property on 34th avenue it would  go up in value and if the traffic was really bad on 35th avenue the real estate values there would go down.  I can't even imagine the horn honking.


https://edc.nyc/article/new-yorkers-and-their-cars

Since, due to the Covid-19 crisis, all real estate values in NYC will have plummeted down the toilet...(After all, a NYC without theater and restaurants and crowded NYC cultural life isn't worth as much to live here. Might as well live in a cheaper, easier city that also doesn't have those special things.) 

So, real estate values are a moot point now...it's a perfect time to implement CHANGE FOR PEDESTRIANS. 

Might as well make it a New York to enjoy, lifestyle-wise, for those of us who remain after the exodus.

[CaptainFlannel]

Certain early morning hours can be set aside for deliveries etc.

That will require the businesses receiving the deliveries to be open/staffed with employees to receive and shelve the deliveries, and will also require the vendors doing the deliveries to actually do the delivering in the early morning hours (increasing their labor costs as well).

I'd welcome that change to how business is done, but I drive along 37th Avenue enough to know that tons of deliveries happen during the day, and it's not as simple for businesses as just saying deliveries must arrive between 5 - 7 am.

[dssjh]

and, since we live in the brave new world of food delivery, it would effectively end those restaurants' ability to use UberEats, DoorDash etc. i don't use them, personally, but i've seen that a lot of people do. same with businesses like furniture stores and some supermarkets that use delivery vehicles. yes, they could triple park on the side streets, but most people who live on those streets could object.

[itsit]

 The 34th Ave closings are welcome for a time but you have to realize how much traffic - both vehicular and cyclists- regularly use this street! No one seems to have told the cyclists that the long running bike lanes are gone! They are still using them at high speeds as they have for decades. Also the street closures ( Northern and 37th Aves) on some weekend evenings could be an easier ask. Let's spread around the closures so one area is not overwhelmed by the shutdown and that the commercial venues get the street traffic that could be gained by the extra space that allows social distancing. Win, win.

[hum@njukebox1]

Are you certain the bike lanes are gone?  That section of 34th Avenue is closed to cars.  I have not seen any information that says the bike lanes along that stretch should not be used by cyclists.

[petster]

I have mixed feelings about this.  It’s good for social distancing. I use the bike lanes and found it difficult to maneuver. Baby carriages, people playing with their kids were doing so in the lanes, which at times made it hazardous. I also saw kids running through the flower beds planted in the median.As a driver, I also noticed that Northern was really congested I and despite parking restrictions drivers were parked and doubled parked along Northern.

[CaptainFlannel]

Are you certain the bike lanes are gone?  That section of 34th Avenue is closed to cars.  I have not seen any information that says the bike lanes along that stretch should not be used by cyclists.

You can use the bike lanes, but you gotta keep it to 5 MPH or under. I think if you want more than a leisurely bike ride, it would be wise to go elsewhere. There's kids playing hop scotch and riding their little bikes in the street. Pedestrians aren't keeping out of the bike lane (I've made this mistake and do my best to stay out of the lane so cyclists have someplace to ride unobstructed).

Common sense would dictate that people use the median divided road just like traffic - keep to the right, stay out of the bike lane. And the folks setting up the barriers wouldn't put them in the bike lane. But, as they say, common sense is in such short supply it should be deemed a superpower.

[jo3boxer]

if you're a kid learning to ride/riding with a parent walking next you, it should be fine to use 34th ave during the car closures.

if you're in full kit and dodging pedestrians and barricades, you're clearly there to show off your spandex. pick another street, another bike lane. biking on 34th is not enjoyable.

the same should be the case for runners not wearing masks. why would you come to a place populated with people when you can run on an empty street all over the rest of the neighborhood. super inconsiderate.

[Benoit]

Why are they allowing people to congregate on 34th Ave, Without social distancing, as I have seen every day since they have closed  the streets. But you’re not allowed to congregate in Travers Park? And what’s up with the bike lanes on 34th, are they still bike lanes? As far as I know, they still are. And the people should stay off of them. And people, when you’re crossing the streets you still have to look at the lights because traffic is still coming the other way. And if you want to run without a mask that’s fine, just stay 6 feet away for me and we won’t have a problem

[CaptainFlannel]

Why are they allowing people to congregate on 34th Ave, Without social distancing, as I have seen every day since they have closed  the streets.

I think you might be occupying an alternate universe (where time runs backwards maybe?). People mostly walk and keep their distance from one another.