Vanderbilt Avenue Open street Reduced too Saturdays in 2025

In a notable rollback for one of New York City’s most cherished open streets programs, Vanderbilt Avenue will operate as a car-free zone only on Saturdays from May to September in 2025. This decision marks a considerable reduction from previous years, when the open street spanned entire weekends from early spring to fall.

Funding Challenges Force Cuts

The drastic reduction in operating hours stems from escalating costs and insufficient city funding.Organizers highlight the growing reliance on sponsorships, private donations, and contributions from restaurant owners to sustain the program. However, the Saturday-only schedule is expected to diminish these crucial revenue streams.

Alex Morano, a volunteer organizer, expressed disappointment, stating, “It’s really unfortunate that the program is getting scaled back quite significantly this year as, really, everybody loves Vanderbilt.it’s a great community program. And it’s not an exaggeration to say there are thousands of people that come out every summer, locally and just from around the city to enjoy it. So to limit how available this public space is, and to limit the programming and limit opportunities for the businesses is just a really awful thing.”

Economic Impact and City Support

Organizers argue that the city should fully fund open streets, citing studies demonstrating their positive impact on commercial corridors and the city’s tax base. Morano emphasized, “When you don’t have cars on the street and when you’re preventing crashes and providing programming there’s a positive economic outcome to that. So I think the city should cover all of it, right because this is an economic program and a social program that the city directly benefits from.”

• The Department of Transportation (DOT) provides a maximum of $20,000 annually to open street organizers.
• Vanderbilt Avenue received $15,000 in 2024 and anticipates less in 2025.

City’s Outlook

Despite the cuts, a DOT spokesperson maintains that the city’s overall open streets program is thriving. Anna Correa, a spokesperson for the agency, stated, “We are committed to delivering a permanent redesign of Vanderbilt Avenue that builds on the successes of the Open Street with public space and safety improvements, as we have already delivered to Underhill Avenue, where we’ve seen reductions in crashes and injuries. across the city, we’ve allocated new funding and other resources to Open Streets to grow the program to more than 200 locations annually — including a record number near schools this year.”

Broader Implications

The situation on Vanderbilt Avenue reflects challenges faced by other open streets in New York City. Park Slope’s Fifth Avenue significantly reduced its footprint and hours, while Tompkins Avenue in Bed-Stuy has been affected by NYPD crowd control measures.

Prospect Heights Neighborhood Advancement Corporation Vice Chair Sakia Hagens noted the broader issue: “We see this around the city — the administration needs to fully fund the Open Streets program,so that the folks at DOT,working with volunteer community partners like ourselves,can deliver on the promise of this transformative program. For now, we are moving forward with the best version of Vanderbilt for 2025 that we can.”

looking Ahead

The reduction in vanderbilt Avenue’s open street hours underscores the ongoing debate about funding and support for these community programs. While the city aims for a permanent redesign, the immediate future presents challenges for organizers and enthusiasts alike. Explore your local open streets, support community initiatives and advocate for policies that prioritize public spaces.

What are the potential long-term consequences of reduced funding for community-lead initiatives like Vanderbilt Avenue’s Open Streets program?

Interview with Alex Morano: Vanderbilt Avenue’s Open Streets Challenges and Hopes

Navigating the Cuts: Q&A with Alex Morano

We sat down with Alex Morano, a dedicated volunteer organizer for the Vanderbilt Avenue Open Streets program, to discuss the recent reduction in operating hours and the challenges faced by this cherished community initiative.

Alex, could you tell us about the impact of the reduction in operating hours on vanderbilt Avenue’s Open Streets program?

Can you shed some light on the funding issues that led to this decision?

“Funding has always been a challenge, but it’s become increasingly tough in recent years. We’ve relied on sponsorships, donations, and contributions from local businesses. However, with the reduced hours, we’re worried this income will decrease too. It’s a vicious cycle.”

You’ve mentioned that the city could play a bigger role in funding. Why do you think that’s important?

Alex, in your opinion, what can be done to ensure the long-term success of Vanderbilt Avenue’s Open Streets?

“We need the city to prioritize this program, both with funding and support for our efforts. Engaging with the community, advocating for our cause, and exploring innovative funding models could all help. But above all,we need the city to understand how vital this space is to our community.”

Despite the cuts,the DOT maintains that the overall open streets program is thriving. How do you respond to that?

What message would you like to send to our readers about how they can support Vanderbilt Avenue’s Open Streets?

“Come out on Saturdays, bring your friends and family, and help us show the city that this program matters. Together, we can make a difference and secure a vibrant, car-free Vanderbilt for our community.”

Alex, what’s one thought-provoking question you’d like our readers to consider?

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“What would our city look like if every street was designed with people in mind, not just cars? That’s the vision we’re fighting for on Vanderbilt Avenue. What’s your vision for our city’s streets?”