DOT outlines Open Streets application process; community raises safety, staffing and storage concerns

The Department of Transportation on Thursday briefed Manhattan Community Board 2’s Traffic & Transportation Committee on its new Open Streets program, explaining how neighborhood groups can apply and what responsibilities the city will expect of local partners.

DOT planner Jennifer Leung said the program is intended to “allow pedestrians and cyclists to use the road as an additional space for social distancing,” while preserving local vehicle access for deliveries, emergency vehicles and resident pickups. Leung said DOT will review applications on a rolling basis and coordinate with NYPD, FDNY and other agencies case by case.

The overview was followed by more than an hour of questions from committee members and residents about application mechanics and on-the-ground details. Janet Liff, a committee member, asked whether there were two application links circulating; Leung said DOT’s official application is a single SurveyMonkey form but acknowledged some people had emailed DOT directly and said she would investigate conflicting links. Eric Boccia, a representative from the Speaker’s office who joined the briefing, said his office would share contact information to help residents who want assistance applying.

Why it matters: the Open Streets effort lets neighborhoods create more space for walking while the…