A recent report by Comptroller Brad Lander has raised concerns about the future of New York City’s popular car-free Open Streets initiative, revealing that its presence has significantly diminished over the past four years, primarily remaining concentrated in Manhattan. Lander, expressing his advocacy for the program, emphasized the need for the city to invest more resources in this pandemic-era initiative, which has largely relied on volunteer support.
At a press conference held on Friday at the 34th Avenue open street in Jackson Heights, referred to as Paseo Park, Lander stated, “People realized we needed new places to be outside, unfortunately we have not… provided resources for that work to continue.”
The report highlights concerns about the program’s funding, which has been described asalready inadequate and on the brink of running dry. Streetsblog previously reported on this funding issue, which mirrors the trends seen in the Covid expansion and contraction of outdoor dining.
Lander stressed the importance of sustained support for volunteer groups that operate open streets, stating, “Volunteer groups cannot sustain the work to successfully operate open streets without more resources, support, and clear guidelines from the city.” He called for a city-wide expansion of the program, urging the city to resolve conflicts that arise and to make public space accessible for all residents.
Open street locations hit a low in 2023 but began to trend upward last year due to a $30 million funding boost provided by the Department of Transportation (DOT), which oversees the program. This funding, however, originated from federal Covid relief money, which has since expired. Currently, Mayor Adams appears uninterested in replacing these funds, further raising concerns about the future sustainability of the program.
As of 2024, the average number of open streets has declined from a peak of 326 sites in 2021 to just 232 sites, as confirmed by DOT data analyzed by Lander’s office. Looking ahead, 127 open street locations are set to be established in the spring of this year, with additional sites expected to come online as the year progresses.
Furthermore, the average length of city open streets has decreased by nearly one-third (32 percent) since its peak in 2020, while operating hours per week have fallen by 40 percent according to the comptroller’s analysis.
Wealthy Manhattan continues to hold the majority of open street locations, with 87 sites last year, surpassing the combined total of Queens (45), the Bronx (29), and Staten Island (6). Brooklyn follows with the second-most open streets, totaling 67 locations.
In response to these challenges, Lander’s report outlines several recommendations aimed at revitalizing and expanding the open streets program, including the establishment of reliable public funding and making the application process easier for volunteer groups seeking payment. He also advocates for the collection of data to track usage, economic impact, and progress toward pedestrianizing areas affected by the temporary closures.
The trends identified in the report echo previous Streetsblog coverage regarding the rollback of operating days and hours across the city, particularly during Adams’ administration. Several formerly active car-free corridors in Brooklyn, such as Vanderbilt Avenue and Fifth Avenue, saw reductions in their hours. Similar cutbacks were noted in Manhattan, where the Canal Open Street scaled back primarily due to complaints from local residents.
In Midtown, the Fifth Avenue Holiday Open Street also reduced its hours in the past winter, despite being previously advertised by Mayor Adams as beneficial to local businesses. Community groups and nonprofits have faced ongoing challenges in terms of funding, with many waiting extended periods for reimbursement from the DOT. Some groups were compelled to cover significant upfront costs for operational needs.
Nuala O’Doherty-Naranjo, co-founder of the 34th Avenue open street, emphasized the difficulties posed by delayed funding, stating, “Currently there’s a pittance of money that the Department of Transportation gives us, and that money we get paid for about one or two years after we submit receipts.” She illustrated the financial strain associated with the operational costs linked to providing engaging activities and community programs.
Supporters of the open streets program are calling for dedicated funding and staffing from the city, particularly for the setup, management, and removal of barriers, as these costs represent a significant operational burden. Saskia Haegens, vice chair of the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Corporation, elaborated on the issue, stating, “As soon as you run more than a couple of days, you can’t staff that with volunteers. I would have to staff like 500 volunteer hours for the season — I can’t do that.”
Despite these hurdles, the volunteer-led initiatives have yielded numerous positive outcomes, including increased business revenues and enhanced street safety. One example given by an open street organizer volunteered how transforming just three blocks in Brownsville into car-free space fostered community interaction, significantly impacting a neighborhood plagued by violence.
Tyisha Jackson, executive director of the violence intervention group Incredible Credible Messengers, explained, “When we are outside and we’re able to observe, we’re able to look, we’re able to listen, we’re able to sit down… we’re saving a life.” This sentiment reflects the broader community appreciation for open streets as vital spaces for celebration post-Covid, especially for children and families gathering in a social atmosphere.
Recently, more than a dozen open streets groups have collectively demanded $48 million in city funding over the next three years to ensure operational stability for the program citywide. Lander argued that this investment would be a sound financial decision, considering the many benefits associated with open streets.
He asserted, “If you provide resources to enable open streets to happen, not only will you have a beautiful open street, but you’ll be supporting the growth of a neighborhood safety institution, [New Yorkers] would think that $48 million was a bargain.”
To enhance the effectiveness of open streets, Lander has drawn comparisons to city parks in staffing needs. However, he acknowledged that increasing city staff involvement in open streets would require a budget boost for agencies like DOT and the historically underfunded Parks Department.
A spokesperson for DOT challenged the report’s analysis of year-to-year comparisons, claiming discrepancies in the agency’s own statistics. Responding to the criticisms, Vin Barone stated, “Through funding for Open Street operations and permanent redesigns of existing locations, NYC DOT has supported roughly 200 Open Streets across the five boroughs in recent years—including at a record number of schools in 2024.” He referenced an earlier 2021 report indicating that less than half the open streets documented by DOT were actually operational at the time.
In summary, this analysis reveals ongoing challenges for the Open Streets program that require immediate attention and investment from the city, highlighting the need for reliable funding and comprehensive support for volunteer efforts to maintain and expand these invaluable community spaces.
image source from：https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/04/27/open-streets-are-shrinking-thanks-to-lukewarm-city-support-lander
