Dear [first-name],

It’s spooky season, and we’re only partially talking about Halloween. Election Day is around the corner, and early voting in NYC has already begun! As you may know, this year’s ballot gives registered voters the chance to vote on five ballot measures that will change how the city functions, in an effort to cut red tape and create a more effective, efficient government.

Check out the Full List

For New Yorkers who care about safe streets and livable communities, two of these ballot measures are particularly important: Proposal 1 and Proposal 3, both of which Open Plans strongly supports.

Proposal 1 would simplify the process for utilizing and improving public spaces, including the installation of planters, curbside dining, and sidewalk cafes. Currently, these projects are subject to arduous mandatory hearings that make progress difficult, hinder our efforts to improve the public realm, and give local officials the ability to override community asks.
Proposal 3 would simplify and shorten the review and approval process for street safety projects and redesigns, including the construction of bike lanes and bus lanes. It would also prevent procedural gridlock from stopping work on projects that are critical for creating safer streets and better connected communities.

Both of these proposals would increase the speed of change across New York City. Whether you want more outdoor dining, a new bike lane, or just a few speed bumps, these measures will help the city better respond to your needs and deliver on them as quickly as possible.

We wholeheartedly endorse both Proposal 1 and Proposal 3 as common sense fixes to arduous and unnecessary processes that slow down good work and necessary projects. If they pass, we’ll be able to transform New York City for the better that much faster.

If you haven’t already done so, make sure you have a plan to vote at a polling place near you.

Together, we can change the city, one vote at a time!

The Open Plans Team

TAKE ACTION

Tell your Council Member: Support Intro 1070

Today we rallied in support of Intro 1070, which would create NYC's first low-traffic neighborhoods. This is a transformative bill that will help us remake our city’s streets to be safer, calmer, and more livable. Urge your Councilmember to vote yes via the link below!

Make Your Voice Heard

EVENTS

Help Fix the Bus!

Our good friends at Riders Alliance are launching a new campaign to Fix the Bus and bring better, more reliable service to New Yorkers across the city. Join a virtual launch event on Monday, Nov. 2 to learn more about how we can bring fast, free buses to NYC.

RSVP

EVENTS

TA Presents: Vision Zero Cities

On Oct. 28 & 29, Transportation Alternatives is hosting the 13th annual Vision Zero Cities conference, bringing together local officials, experts, advocates, and more to discuss how we can create a true Vision Zero NYC. It’s a must-attend for anyone passionate about safe streets!

Learn More

IN THE NEWS

New Red Light Cams = Safer Streets

Last week, DOT announced 600 new red light camera installations at key intersections that will improve street safety and clamp down on reckless driving. We’re excited to see the city continue to roll out these effective policies that create safer, more livable streets.

Read More

Things to do

🏙️ The Politics of the Brooklyn Block Party | Tue, Oct 27 | 6 PM

Our Co-Executive Director Sara Lind joins NYC Planning Commissioner Leah Goodridge and Oma Holloway of New Era Revitalization for an insightful panel on the joys and challenges of planning Brooklyn’s most popular block parties and the efforts behind creating more open streets for community gatherings. Part of Commissioner Goodridge’s Efficient Cities series at Brooklyn Public Library’s Brooklyn Heights branch (286 Cadman Plaza West).

🌺 Día de Muertos Celebration | Wed, Oct 28 | 3-7 PM

Flatiron NoMad hosts the 5th annual Día de Muertos Celebration at Flatiron North Plaza with an interactive community altar designed by Mestiz Studio and Powerhouse Arts, plus a curated mix of Mexican folklore performances by Calpulli Mexican Dance Company!

🚇 Transportation in New York Summit: Connecting Ideas and Advancing Mobility | Fri, Oct 30 | 9 AM-3:45 PM

City & State New York brings together transportation leaders, policymakers, and industry experts at New York Law School to discuss transit investment, congestion pricing, infrastructure modernization, climate resilience, street safety, and equitable access to mobility. Connect with experts and explore innovative policy solutions for a more efficient, sustainable, and accessible transportation system.

🚗 The War on Cars Live at Hunter College | Fri, Nov 6 | 7 PM

Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon of The War on Cars podcast return to Hunter College's Assembly Hall for a live show celebrating the anniversary of Life After Cars, featuring an appearance by Janette Sadik-Khan and a special screening of StreetFilms 34th Ave documentary! Doors open at 6 PM and tickets are limited.

🎃 Halloween is this weekend and open streets are the best way to celebrate!! From family costume parades and neighborhood block parties to trick-or-treating, games, and festive activities, there are plenty of ways to celebrate across the city:

Trick-or-Streets: Halloween Festivities at Morrison Plaza | Fri, Oct 30 | 3 PM | NYC DOT and YMPJ bring Halloween thrills, chills, and spills to Morrison Plaza (1620 Westchester Ave, Bronx) with games, music, candy, popcorn, and frights! Make sure to wear your costume!
Trick-or-Street at THE CORE | Sat, Oct 31 | 11 AM-3 PM | Join THE CORE at 1244 Manor Ave in the Bronx for a safe, fun, and welcoming Halloween celebration for the whole family! Bring your costumes and come enjoy a day filled with Halloween excitement and community fun.
Trick-or-Streets at North Brooklyn | Sat, Oct 31 | 11 AM-8 PM | Nassau Open Street brings Halloween fun back to North Brooklyn with Skate Yogi, candy, prizes, and a costume contest at 1 PM! Show off your best Halloween look and kick off the holiday with a festive day on Nassau Avenue.
Trick or Streets with Theory 9 | Sat, Oct 31 | 12-5 PM | Theory 9 brings back Trick or Streets for a Halloween block party in the Bronx celebrating fun, family, and community! Bring the kids in their favorite costumes for trick-or-treat candy stations, games, face painting, arts and crafts, entertainment, costume contests, giveaways, and more. This free, family-friendly event creates a safe space for local youth to celebrate Halloween and brings Bronx families together.
Trick-or-Streets at La Marqueta | Sat, Oct 31 | 1-3 PM | Head to La Marqueta in East Harlem for a Halloween afternoon packed with candy and family fun! Hosted by Councilmember Elsie Encarnacion and partners, the celebration features trick-or-treating, face painting, bounce houses, slime-making, and a photo booth.
Trick-or-Streets on Amsterdam Open Streets | Sat, Oct 31 | 1-6 PM | Columbus Amsterdam BID hosts its first-ever Trick or Streets celebration for the final Open Streets of the season! Enjoy dance lessons with Ballet Hispánico, kids’ bike workshops with Bike New York, skate-themed art with Upper West Side Skates, free fall bouquet-making, a candy scavenger hunt, and community recycling with LES Ecology. Bring the whole family for one last seasonal bash!
Trick or Streets: Hoyt Open Street | Sat, Oct 31 | 2-5 PM | Hoyt Open Street celebrates Halloween with live music from Maker Park Radio, trick-or-treating maps featuring local businesses, a festive photo opportunity, and fun activities from sponsors at Hoyt St and Atlantic Ave. Come in costume and bring your friends, family, and pets!
Trick-or-Streets: Prospect Heights Open Streets | Sat, Oct 31 | 4-8 PM | NYC DOT and Prospect Heights Open Streets close Underhill Ave and surrounding blocks to traffic for a safe Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating, live music, and arts & crafts! Stop by and join the festivities.

Open Plans
PO Box 1009
New York, NY 10013

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