34th Avenue Open Street (DOT)
Feb. 23, 2021 By Allie Griffin
The public will have three opportunities over the course of the next week to provide input as to the future of 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights.
The Department of Transportation (DOT), together with local elected officials, is hosting three virtual workshops for the public to provide feedback on the 34th Avenue stretch that goes from 69th Street to Junction Boulevard.
The roadway is currently designated by the DOT as an Open Street, primarily for the use of pedestrians and cyclists. Elected officials and transportation advocates aim to make it a permanent Open Street and are expected to make design suggestions to that end.
The first two workshops are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday this week. The third will be hosted on Thursday, March 4.
The DOT wants to hear what the local community envisions for the avenue through the workshops. Officials will use the feedback to begin the design process for the corridor.
Council Member Daniel Dromm, State Sen. Jessica Ramos and members of Queens Community Board 3 will join representatives of the DOT to lead the discussion. Dromm and Ramos have been outspoken advocates for making 34th Avenue a permanent Open Street.
The 34th Avenue Open Street is closed to cars and most vehicles from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day as part of the city’s Open Streets initiative. Vehicles are permitted to drive — at 5 MPH — on the closed street for local and emergency purposes.
The Open Streets program, including 34th Avenue, was originally set to expire on Oct. 31.
However, after local pushback, DOT officials announced that they would develop a “long-term” plan for the 1.3-mile stretch.
All three workshops will be hosted on Zoom. Those who wish to participate should register in advance at the links below.
The first workshop is Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The second is on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and the third is next Thursday, March 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Please join NYC DOT, @communityboard3, @Dromm25 & @jessicaramos for virtual workshops to hear the community’s vision for 34th Ave & begin the design process for the corridor. Register:
2/24: https://t.co/bP6cMa8Rd2
2/25: https://t.co/OUYL1TifoU
3/4: https://t.co/aDcbmCsXN7 pic.twitter.com/vm3HnCllWc— NYC DOT (@NYC_DOT) February 19, 2021
