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DOT lays out Open Streets changes and 2026 application deadlines; seeks community applicants
Summary
DOT presented Open Streets 2025 highlights and changes for 2026: expanded school support, new limits for bus/truck-route operations, consolidated application deadlines (Jan. 31; March 31 for some schools), and available funding/technical assistance, with outreach expected from applicants and a 45-day community comment period.
Burkina Morgan, from the Department of Transportationpublic realm unit, briefed the Queens borough board on Open Streets accomplishments in 2025 and application changes for 2026.
DOT said 2025 included nearly 150 Open Streets events citywide, five borough signature locations and expanded supports for full-closure school sites. For 2026, DOT will consolidate application deadlines: January 31 for most full-closure and limited-local-access applications and March 31 for full-closure school applications that plan to operate in the academic year. DOT also adjusted operational rules for some commercial-corridor full closures: these sites may operate Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (Fridays removed from the eligible days for those corridors); full-closure schools maintain distinct hours aligned with the school day.
Morgan outlined application requirements (site and management plans, outreach plan, letters of support for new sites, and budgets for non-school applicants) and the approval workflow: DOT review, interagency review including DSNY and NYPD, and a 45-day notice period to community boards for comment before provisional approvals are finalized. DOT said it provides funding, operational support and technical assistance (including help with permits and barrier setup) and emphasized a partnership with the Horticultural Society of New York for maintenance and programming support.
Community board members raised concerns about notification timing (especially boards in summer recess), stewardship when nonprofit partners stop applying, and crowd impacts at high-traffic open streets. DOT said it will contact applicants that have not filed again before deadlines, expects applicants to commit to outreach plans and offers to come to community board meetings for further discussion.
DOT encouraged community groups, businesses and schools to apply and said staff are available to answer application questions; the application windows open immediately with the Jan. 31 and March 31 deadlines described.
