[browser link available in email]

Happy first week of congestion pricing to all who celebrate! Who should celebrate? Literally everyone, because whether you're waiting on a late bus, playing Frogger to cross the street, or stuck in record-setting car traffic, congestion pricing will be good for you.

But the City can't just sit back and celebrate. We must put the newly freed street space to work, reclaiming and reusing it to double down on congestion pricing's impact. 

1. Fix car sewers like Canal Street and Houston Street. With fewer vehicles on these corridors, we can permanently redesign these streets to calm traffic and better service pedestrians. Lots of public space, short crosswalks, double-wide bike lanes, designated bus routes and more. 
2. Pedestrianize areas with major foot traffic. The Financial and Theater Districts already have people spilling off the sidewalks. Those areas urgently need more space to everyone not in a vehicle - let's use the street for that and formalize what's already happening there unofficially in a chaotic and unsafe way. 
3. Pursue Bus Rapid Transit throughout the city. It's relatively cheap to implement and would immediately transform transit-light and transit desert neighborhoods.
4. Pilot a low traffic neighborhood - a set of blocks that are fully accessible by car for residents but not for others who are just cutting through the neighborhood on their way to someplace else. This through-traffic is really harmful and should be actively discouraged; now's the time to start. 
5. Proactively implement school streets throughout the CBD to reclaim street space for improved arrival and dismissal, outdoor learning, recess, community meetings and more.

Here's why it's important to repurpose this space quickly: congestion pricing will dissuade some drivers from driving > commute times for those on the road will go down > drivers will see how much easier it's become to drive into the CBD > a $9 toll will seem like a reasonable investment for a quick commute by car > drivers flood the streets again > we're back in the exact same place we were before the toll took effect.

So congestion pricing itself is not enough to solve our congestion woes. A holistic approach is needed to reshape our city in the wake of the program's start, reusing that space to improve the lives of the vast majority of New Yorkers who don't drive and keep gridlock in check for those who do. 

You can help shape your own  neighborhood by being part of your Community Board. We are hosting two info sessions to teach you what they are, why they matter, and how you can join yours! Join us on Tuesday, January 21 at 6 PM or on Wednesday, January 22 at 12PM.

Congestion pricing is presenting an opportune moment to transform our public spaces. What if corridors like Canal and Houston streets receive Union Square-style treatments with expanded pedestrian spaces and enhanced bike lanes?

Open Plans helps NYC schools create safe, joyful car-free space with DOT's Open Streets for Schools! Streetfilms joined Open Plans' Schools Coordinator Sabina Sethi Unni at three of these locations to explore the different ways each community uses their street space.

Outdoor dining has officially ended until the spring, but some business owners are reclaiming the curbside space they've come to rely on, highlighting the problems with our current seasonal program. Support our campaign to fix it!

🚸 Do you want to close the street outside your kid’s school to cars? And have students enjoy time outside playing, learning, and thriving? Applications are due by January 31st for Open Streets launching by June 2025. Get in touch with Sabina, our Schools planner for FREE guidance on applications, community support, and implementation.

🌱 The Brotherhood Sister Sol is hosting a composting workshop on Saturday, January 11th, 12-4 PM! Get free compost, learn hotbox methods, and network with NYC farmers at this indoor/outdoor event at the Frank White Memorial Garden.

🌟 $100K grants for community spaces! Attend an info session on Thursday, January 9th, 12PM to learn about Project for Public Spaces' funding program. Available for nonprofits and agencies in GA, MI, NY, OH, and TX.

🗣️ Advocate for the SAFE Streets Package on Tuesday, January 28 in Albany! Join us, Transportation Alternatives, Families for Safe Streets and other NYC advocates from Grand Central (6:30AM departure) or meet directly at Capitol (10AM). Help push for crucial street safety legislation.

🚲 Support affordable Citi Bike for students! Sign Transportation Alternatives' Youth Committee petition for $5 memberships across NYC. Help make bike share accessible as the system expands with 2,900 new bikes and 250 new stations in 2025.

🎨 Cities: Turn streets into art by January 31, 2025! Apply for up to $100K in Asphalt Art grants. Open to North American cities over 50K. Expert support included for transformative street designs.

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

[browser link available in email] | unsubscribe