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Public spaces are vital to our lives as New Yorkers. So why are they so few and far between? Under managed? Burdened by bureaucracy and red tape? It's largely because our City doesn't have a cohesive framework for thinking about people-centered space and creating it in a way that provides well-maintained, local spaces in every corner of the city.

Until now! Our new report Framework for the Future: Managing Public Space in New York City with Equity, Safety & Joy recommends three things: 

1. A team of managers in every community district that would provide on-the-ground care and coordinate with residents about making improvements to their neighborhood
2. Shifting the City's mindset about public space from within, by creating a new Deputy Commissioner for Public Space role at DOT and giving more support for our Chief Public Realm Officer
3. Cutting red tape and burdensome policies that make it difficult for everyday New Yorkers to engage with their public space and make it a community asset

These tactics will allow New York's public spaces to reach their full potential, create thousands of jobs, improve NYers' health and happiness, and encourage the vibrant, connected communities we all deserve.

A truly inclusive and impactful City of Yes must say NO to mandatory parking. It's not just one piece of the puzzle – it's the linchpin that holds everything together.

This fall, join fellow NYers in a virtual meeting with your Council Member to push for lifting parking mandates, making way for safer, more walkable streets. Sign up now & we’ll give you everything you need to advocate effectively.

🌊 Help design the Queens Waterfront Greenway at community workshops starting this month! Share your insights on creating a continuous 16-mile corridor connecting Queens waterfront parks. Join NYC DOT, Parks, and EDC in discussing how to improve bike and pedestrian access along the shore.

📋 SoHo Broadway needs your input by Sunday, October 7th! Evaluate past efforts and voice your priorities for the corridor before the 2024 Community Survey closes. Participants could win a $100 gift card to a local business.

🏢 The City of Yes for Housing zoning text amendment has entered City Council phase. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to testify in support at hearings.

🌱 Manhattan, Staten Island, and Bronx: Your kitchen scraps are going green! FREE weekly Curbside Composting launches October 6 for all residents. No sign-up needed. Compost with ease and be part of the citywide effort to reduce waste and nourish our soil.

🗑️ AIANY and the Center for Zero Waste Design (CfZWD), in partnership with the Alliance for Public Space Leadership are hosting a panel on Monday, October 16th to unpack DSNY's new containerization plans and their impacts on NYC's sidewalks and streetscapes.

🗽 The 2024 OHNY Weekend Lineup is now live! Peek behind NYC's curtain at Open House New York Weekend, October 18-20. This annual festival offers rare access to the city's diverse spaces—from new skyline-shaping buildings to tranquil parks and archives.

🌳 Celebrate NYC's urban forests at the 3rd annual City of Forest Day on Saturday, October 26th! Plant trees, go on nature hikes, and join stewardship activities across the five boroughs highlighting our green "lungs."

🗳️ 4 weeks until Election Day on November 5! Remember: October 26 is the deadline for mail/absentee ballot requests and in-person voter registration. Early voting runs October 26-November 3. Locate your poll site and hours now to ensure you're ready to participate.

Open Plans |  377 Broadway, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10013-3907

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