34th Avenue Open Street (DOT)
Dec. 1, 2020 By Allie Griffin
Jackson Heights residents will have a chance to weigh in on redesigning a stretch of 34th Avenue that has been turned over to pedestrians and cyclists as part of the city’s Open Streets program.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is hosting a Zoom meeting on the 34th Avenue Open Street Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will be joined by Council Member Daniel Dromm, State Sen. Jessica Ramos and representatives from Queens Community Board 3.
The 34th Avenue Open Street, which runs from 69th Street to Junction Boulevard, is closed to cars and most vehicles from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day as part of the pandemic-age 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, local residents and elected officials have pushed the DOT to make the 1.3-mile stretch of 34th Avenue a permanent Open Street.
Last month, residents appeared to get their wish when a DOT spokesperson said the Open Streets program no longer has a set end date. Furthermore, department officials stated they would develop a “long-term” plan for the 34th Avenue.
Wednesday’s meeting is a step toward developing that plan.
DOT officials will provide a debrief on the street, discuss the department’s street improvement tools, gather community feedback and begin to outline a plan for the future of 34th Avenue.
Neighbors are invited to share their experience on the Open Street as well as their ideas for its future, the department said.
Those who wish to participate in the meeting should register in advance here.
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