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CB2 committee advances plan to daylight West 3rd Street, seeks DOT quick fixes and NYU coordination
Summary
Community Board 2’s traffic committee proposed removing painted sidewalk parking near Washington Square Village, creating a protected double bike lane and designated loading zones, and asked DOT and NYU to pursue short-term signage, metering and enforcement while a full redesign awaits repaving.
Community Board 2’s Traffic and Transportation Committee pressed the city this month to pursue short-term fixes and a long-term redesign of West 3rd Street between Mercer and LaGuardia Place to reduce conflicts among delivery trucks, cyclists and pedestrians.
“Daylighting” the two Washington Square Village entrances by removing the parking closest to the curb would, the committee said, eliminate blind spots that force pedestrians and cyclists to edge into traffic. Chair Janine Kiley said the proposal would free space for a two‑way protected bike lane, Citi Bike racks and loading zones for box trucks and e‑bike deliveries.
The proposal builds on a 2018 traffic configuration for part of the block. Kiley said the concept mainly requires paint and signs — though DOT staff warned that some existing textured paint is difficult to remove and larger changes are usually done in line with repaving schedules. “We may be able to do some of the smaller asks — markings around driveways or the NYU loading dock — in the short term, but I can’t commit to everything tonight,” a DOT representative said.
Residents and committee members urged a mix of immediate and longer-term responses. Larry Gaslawn, a Washington Square Village resident, recommended removing two floating parking spots at specific turns as low‑cost “low hanging fruit” to improve sightlines. Rebecca Getz, who helped organize a 2017 petition to slow traffic on West 3rd, urged stepped-up enforcement of the no‑parking rules on the south side until a redesign is possible and requested a second speed bump closer to Mercer.
Some residents warned that converting spaces to metered parking could penalize NYU staff who currently use the block for short‑term parking. Daniel Marcus asked the board to consult NYU about employee access before finalizing any metering plan.
DOT staff outlined practical limits: full removal of a textured painted sidewalk extension can be complicated and is often tied to scheduled resurfacing. The agency recommended a laundry list approach — send a single resolution with prioritized items so DOT can evaluate what is feasible in the short, medium and long term. DOT also said physical interim objects such as planters or granite blocks require a maintenance partner because they are often struck and must be returned to place.
The committee voted to draft a formal resolution listing immediate actions (daylighting near entrances, targeted signage and driveway markings, and a study for an additional speed hump) and follow‑up steps to coordinate with NYU and DOT on loading zones and any commercial metering. Kiley said the board will seek NYU’s input and, where possible, conduct a physical walkthrough before finalizing the resolution.
