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Transportation & Environment
Application by the New York City Department of Transportation for a “Shared Street” plan on Broadway, between 24th and 25th Streets.
WHEREAS, The Applicant, the New York City Department of Transportation ("DOT") proposes to redesign the street plan of Broadway between 24th and 25th Streets and the surrounding area; and
WHEREAS, This area represents a uniquely difficult and dangerous intersection, marked by the convergence of Broadway, 5th Avenue, and 24th Street, as well as thousands of pedestrians during peak hours; and
WHEREAS, DOT has engaged in an on-going effort to enhance the safety and traffic flow around and through this area; and
WHEREAS, Previous alterations to the traffic pattern executed by DOT in 2008 resulted in a reduction of traffic incidents by approximately 29%; and
WHEREAS, DOT recognizes that the surrounding neighborhood has changed dramatically in the last decade, requiring further improvements to the intersection and surrounding area in order to address traffic efficiency and the safety needs of motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant conducted an 18-month long study of the area, during which time it conducted community workshops and direct outreach to area stakeholders to gather relevant input regarding the existing condition; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant's proposal seeks principally to enhance pedestrian safety and circulation, maintain vehicular access and circulation, and increase public space in a crowded area characterized by both a particularly local population and thousands of commuting pedestrians during peak hours by:
- Directing southbound vehicular traffic on Broadway to turn east on 26th Street to continue south on 5th Avenue; and
- Directing southbound vehicular traffic on Broadway to turn west on 25th Street to continue west; and
- Reversing the flow of vehicular traffic on Broadway between 24th and 25th Streets to flow from to south to north, requiring through traffic to turn west on 25th Street; and
- Relocating the existing horseshoe - shaped Citi Bike rack currently located south of Worth Square to a more - linear configuration on the east side of Broadway, between 24th and 25th Streets, adjacent to Worth Square; and
- Normalizing the intersection of 24th Streets and 5th Avenue; and
- Creating a Shared Street on Broadway, between 24th and 25th Streets, in which pedestrians and vehicular traffic would share the road space for one (1) block; and
WHEREAS, DOT data indicates an especially low number of vehicles currently use this block of Broadway and DOT anticipates only those vehicles seeking access to the residential address on that block to utilize that portion of the Shared Street if the proposed alterations are executed; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant's proposal will require the removal of only one existing parking space on Broadway between 24th and 25th Streets in order to accommodate left-turning vehicular traffic; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant proposes to designate the remaining three parking spaces as "No Standing between 7am and 7pm" to allow for overnight parking; and
WHEREAS, DOT has agreed to install a V-shaped crosswalk to enhance pedestrian safety at the intersection of 24th Street and Broadway; and
WHEREAS, The proposal will allow DOT to install a new crosswalk spanning 5th Avenue at 24th Street, providing pedestrians previously non-existent safe access to Madison Square Park; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant proposes an advised 5 mile/hour Speed Limit with the requisite signage to inform motorists and cyclists along the Shared Street portion of Broadway between 24th and 25th Streets; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant will use appropriate barriers, paint schemes, and ground surface materials to demarcate road and pedestrian spaces; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant will apply sidewalk cues for visually impaired pedestrians; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant will provide "Ambassadors" on site during and immediately following the execution of the alterations to inform and instruct motorists and pedestrians of the new traffic patterns; and
WHEREAS, DOT confirmed approval for the plan from the Fire Department of New York ("FDNY"); and
WHEREAS, DOT plans to minimize the impact of the street work by proposing to execute the street design alterations in April and May 2017 to coincide with previously-scheduled maintenance work required to repair the underlying street bed and utility network in this area, which were damaged previously by a water main rupture; and
WHEREAS, Although some members of the community expressed concern that the new street design could lead to severe congestion on 25th Street, there was general support for the plan on a contingency basis; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five supports efforts to creatively share street space and improve vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic flow as well as efforts to improve the aesthetics of the new York City streets and believes that the Applicant's proposal fulfills these goals; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant has expressed the intent to continue its working relationship with the Community Board, the community at large, and local stakeholders, and especially to provide direct outreach to the occupants of 10 Madison Square West; and
WHEREAS, Any public space gained by the proposed streetscape design must not be programmed, activated, or otherwise populated with impeding elements by any agency or entity, as the intention of the DOT's proposal is to relieve congestion and improve pedestrian flow in this area, and any additional elements otherwise defeat the purpose of the proposal; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant has agreed to continue to monitor the impact of the proposed alterations once they are applied; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant has agreed to return to the Transportation & Environment Committee and the full Community Board to present on the results of its on-going traffic study and the effectiveness of the Shared Street plan during the September/October 2017 Committee cycle after the new street design has been in operation for a statistically significant amount of time; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant has agreed to return to the Transportation and Environmental Committee and the full Community Board during the September/October 2017 committee cycle to present on the results of its on-going traffic study and the effectiveness of the Shared Street plan after the new street design has been in operation for a statistically relevant amount of time; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant has committed to terminate the Shared Street plan and return to the present condition of April 2017 in the event it proves unsuccessful; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the Application by the New York City Department of Transportation for a "Shared Street" plan on Broadway, between 24th and 25th Streets.