2013-dot-sustainable-streets-lowres

MOBILITY6 1/2 AVENUEDOT created a new pedestrianThe POPS that comprise 6 ½DOT analysis found up to 1,200crushed gravel and furnished withavenue in the heart of MidtownAvenue were created betweenpedestrians an hour alreadybenches in some locations, furthercalled 6 1/2 Avenue to encourage1984 and 1990 and includecrossing 51st Street alone atestablishing them as pedestrianmore New Yorkers to walk and tocommercial, hotel and residentialmidblock without the benefit ofareas. Adjacent property ownersdecongest busy avenues. The routebuildings, with public spacescrosswalks, passing from betweenwill clean the newly enlargedtakes advantage of existing plazasranging from open plazas andparked trucks and other vehicles.pedestrian areas, with theat the bases of buildings betweenatria to wide lobbies and enclosedThe new crossings shortenbusinesses maintaining planters51st and 57th Streets and 6th andcorridors.trips eliminating the need forand benches.7th Avenues, known as PrivatelyIn 2011, Manhattan’spedestrians to travel back andOwned Public Spaces (or POPS),Community Board 5 requestedforth to the main avenues toand includes the addition of newthat DOT study the possibilityreach midblock locations, withoutcrosswalks, signage, and trafficof pedestrian crosswalks to linkaffecting traffic. At each crossinginterventions.these disconnected spaces. Athe sidewalks were extended using102Chapter 7: Streets for All: Improving Choices for Short Trips