In the Inwood neighborhood of Upper Manhattan, Drivers traveling along Post Avenue between 207th Street and Tenth Avenue should know that the construction of a small plaza turned that stretch into a one-way street. The City’s goal was to expand pedestrian space and calm traffic on that block, with the installation of a “shared street” with a speed limit of 5 MPH.
This urban intervention undertaken by the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), adds to the installation of more than 580,000 square feet of new pedestrian spaces throughout the Big Apple
With these sidewalk extensions, in this segment that is part of the ‘Little Dominican Republic,’the time it takes to cross three intersections in the area is shortened, improving pedestrian safety and calming turning vehicles,” the municipal agency explained in a statement.
Through the new plaza space and sidewalk extensions, More than 9,400 square feet of new pedestrian space is being added to the area.
“New Yorkers deserve safe streets and welcoming spaces, where they can meet with family and friends or enjoy public events that help build a community with their neighbors. “That’s what this project is about,” commented Ydanis Rodríguez, commissioner of the DOT.
This street for a couple of decades has been used by street merchants, who organized to continue having their activities in the renovated space. Now it is popularly called ‘Plaza 207’.
Merchants complain that the vehicle circulation section is now very limited. (Photo: F. Martínez)
Under community care
Likewise, Gwen Martínez, director of the Inwood Merchants Association, defined this space as a place where local culture and commerce can flourish, side by side.
“It is not just a physical space, it is a reflection of the spirit and resilience of our neighborhood,” he said.
The Inwood Vendors Association will act as a partner of this public space and will be responsible for the maintenance, including trash removal, snow removal, furniture maintenance, scheduling, events, and landscaping care.
The interpretation of Jackson Chabot, director of promotion and organization of ‘Open Plans’ is that these types of shorter street crossings, which encourage slower vehicle speeds, will save lives: “more sidewalks and plazas create new opportunities to build community connections.”
DOT conducted outreach activities prior to project installation, starting in 2018, with preliminary meetings with community groups.
DOT spokespersons assure that this project increases pedestrian safety. (Photo: F. Martínez)Credit: Impremedia
Some win, others lose
But as often happens, with any urban intervention, some win and others lose. Established merchants in the area who preferred to reserve their identity exposed El Diario says that now the only vehicular lane on the short street is “excessively” narrow, which brings complications to small trucks unloading merchandise.
“We agree with public spaces. You’ll see the cars mounted on the sidewalk. It is very good that a plaza is for small merchants, but we hope that the quality of what they sell improves,” said a commercial entrepreneur of Dominican origin.
On the other hand, Amaury Montilla, one of the informal sellers in the sectorassures that that street a few years ago was “depressed” and without any movement.
“There will always be people who oppose it. We know they are a minority. Obviously parking spaces were eliminated. Most people know that they can now count on a cleaner space, with more traffic of people and with half-used products at good prices”, he concluded.
Merchant Amaury Montilla assures that street vendors have given vitality to that axis of Upper Manhattan where “no one went before.” (Photo: F. Martínez)
2024-01-05 11:00:00
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