UWS Candidate Wants To Transform Broadway: Here's How

Upper West Side NY

01 February, 2021

5:24 PM

Description

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — A candidate running for the Upper West Side Council seat has a plan to transform Broadway by adding art spaces, rezoning 40 blocks of the famous avenue, expanding the malls that run through the center of streets, and more. Sara Lind, a candidate for City Council in the Upper West Side's District 6, released a plan Monday that she says would "transform Broadway on the UWS from blight to boon." The economic recovery plan would focus on Broadway between 59th and 110th Street and aim to transform blocks full of empty storefronts and blight into a "grand boulevard" that supports small business, arts and culture, attractions, and foot traffic. "We have a Broadway that people spend as little time on as possible. And who can blame them," Lind said, in a news release. "In addition to vacancies taken over by homeless encampments, the streets and sidewalks are in terrible condition because there are no tenants to take care of them, and it's the districts' top corridor for injuries and fatalities. Here are the three components to Lind's "Broadway Economic Recovery Plan": Business Support Work with landlords to develop a special arts district along Broadway, anchored by institutions such as Lincoln Center, the Beacon, and Symphony Space.Advocate for large commercial vacancies to accommodate mixed-use spaces for offices, co-working spaces, artists, and pop-ups. Protect existing small businesses by providing commercial rent tax relief.Invest in minority and women-owned businesses. Rezone Broadway From 73rd To 110th Street That Encourages... Arts and theater use.Creative light manufacturing like small fashion start-ups that make clothing on-site.Ground floor office space.Restaurants and food trucks.Mini-distribution hubs with hours of operation restrictions.Deeply affordable housing, with preference given to seniors and homeless families. Safe Streets & Green Space Open northbound lanes north of 73rd Street to pedestrians, buses, and bikes.Support public green spaces, pedestrian areas, and art installations.Build on the Broadway Malls that run through the center of the street to expand greenery and recreational space.Provide public seating and spaces for neighbors to enjoy the community.Establish year-round outdoor dining.Create commercial loading zones at specific locations, permitting deliveries.Build dedicated bus and bike lanes. You can check out the full plan for Broadway here.