Brooklyn Representative Proposes Expansion of Pedestrian Space in NYC

A proposal from Brooklyn’s Rep. Lincoln Ressler aims to create one million square feet of additional “pedestrian space” in New York City annually over the next five years.

The legislation, introduced recently, does not provide estimates on potential losses of parking spaces or lanes, which city transportation officials also found challenging to evaluate.

Ressler’s plan will be included as a key component in the city’s upcoming five-year “road master plan,” expected to be finalized in December. The city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) and Mayor Mamdani are mandated to focus on developing new pedestrian areas, particularly in high-traffic locations like Herald Square in Manhattan and Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

During a recent City Council Transportation Committee meeting, Ressler emphasized the need for more open streets and public squares. He noted, “This will add more open streets… so we have the pedestrian space we need to get around.”

He expressed the common frustration of navigating crowded areas, saying, “Catching up behind someone who is walking slowly often happens in these very congested locations because there isn’t enough room for all of us.” Ressler represents bike-friendly neighborhoods like Williamsburg and Greenpoint.

However, the bill has faced criticism. City Councilwoman Joanne Arriola from Queens remarked that it favors anti-car sentiments and burdens suburban residents. She suggested some colleagues are misguided about the availability of public transit, stating, “I encourage them to look beyond the bubble and come back to reality.”

Resident Sandy Ryburn argued that the bill would exacerbate gridlock in the city. She pointed out that streets serve essential functions beyond leisure, serving as critical pathways for commerce and emergency services. Ryburn highlighted that for vulnerable populations, such as seniors and those with disabilities, roads should remain accessible.

The DOT currently manages about 93 public plazas, totaling roughly 2 million square feet, and has been adding nearly 500,000 square feet of pedestrian space yearly for the past four years, despite earlier goals not being met.

Ressler, who has consistently advocated for reducing on-street parking, remarked, “Walking is our primary mode of transportation for all of us as New Yorkers.” He criticized the city for not providing sufficient pedestrian space, particularly in congested areas.

DOT Secretary Mike Flynn stated that as demand for pedestrian space rises, initiatives will be expanded and new programs will be developed, maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the City Council to ensure growth in pedestrian areas throughout the city.