Open Plans’ holistic 2025 agenda targets intersections, enforcement, outdoor dining
NEW YORK - Today Open Plans released their 2025 Agenda for a Livable City, detailing the key legislative and administrative policies the organization will support in the coming year. Organized in three policy areas – urban mobility, curb management, and public space – the agenda highlights opportunities at the City Council, Agency, and State levels. The agenda’s focus is on delivering safe, accessible, people-centered neighborhoods to every New Yorker by reducing car dominance and rebalancing the way street space is allocated.
The agenda identifies five priorities that will drive the organization’s advocacy in 2025:
Universal daylighting (City and State bills)
Year-round outdoor dining (Bill concept)
$25 million investment in pilot Public Space Teams for better, more equitable public space management (City budget item)
Automated curb lane enforcement (Pending State bill)
The policies pair New York City’s urgent opportunities with the highest-impact solutions. “Every New Yorker can feel that the streets are chaotic and haphazardly managed,” said Michael Sutherland, policy analyst at Open Plans. “These policies are targeted ways to invest in people and get the most out of our public realm. Building a livable city requires addressing a broad range of issues through a people-first approach and that's what these priorities do. New Yorkers deserve a thoughtful and forward-thinking vision for their city.”
The agenda also identifies priorities for City agencies, including:
A pilot for New York City’s first Low Traffic Neighborhood
Expanding Summer Streets in coverage and hours of operation
Recommendations from Open Plans’ public space report, including appointing a Deputy Commissioner for Public Space Management and Creation, City indemnification for public space partners, and improving the public space permitting process
Using the curb lane for containerized trash
See the full legislative agenda here.
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