The NYC Department of Transportation is working on implementing a proposal to install upgraded bus lanes, bike lanes, and pedestrian spaces on 2nd Avenue from East 59th Street to Houston Street. It includes the following:

• Shifting the bus lane from the “curbside” to the “offset” lane.
• Upgrading the bus lane from only being in use during peak hours to being in use 24/7.
• Widening the bike lane to accommodate current demand and future growth.
• Adding a mix of concrete and painted pedestrian spaces.

For additional information about this project, contact the NYC DOT Manhattan Borough Commissioner’s Office at (212) 839-6210 or visit nyc.gov/dot

CB6 wants to begin a discussion on the FDR Drive, which contains aging infrastructure and has a major impact on our district, as well as our city. CB6 therefore commissioned a report on the FDR Drive, a report done by WXY Architecture + Urban Design. At the March 13, 2024 Full Board meeting, WXY presented to the community board a summary of their findings on the FDR Drive’s current conditions, as well as potential visions for the highway. You can also access their report detailing all of the findings.

The Mayor’s City of Yes initiative seeks to amend zoning rules to help the City recover more quickly from the pandemic, to create a greener city, to support small business growth, and to incentivize the creation of housing, at all levels, in all New York City neighborhoods. There are three proposed zoning text amendments that would be part of this initiative:

Zoning for Carbon Neutrality aims to modernize the zoning regulations in support of the City’s climate goals. The changes would focus on supporting a renewable energy grid, making our buildings clean and efficient, support for electric vehicle charging and micro-mobility options, and reducing waste and storm water. A resolution supporting this text amendment passed at our June 14, 2023 Full Board meeting. The text amendment was passed by the City Council on December 6, 2023.

Zoning for Economic Opportunity is focused on providing small businesses with the flexibility needed for them to change and grow, especially as the city recovers from the pandemic. The proposals would remove certain limitations on small businesses and ensure that our storefronts are occupied, and our neighborhoods remain lively spaces. A resolution regarding this text amendment passed at our January 10, 2024 Full Board meeting. Additionally, this text amendment was passed by the City Council with modifications on June 6, 2024.

Zoning for Housing Opportunity is a direct response to our City’s housing crisis. This text amendment will modernize our zoning rules to allow for a little more housing in every neighborhood, improving housing availability and affordability. There was public information session on Zoning for Housing Opportunity held remotely on Zoom on Tuesday, September 27, 2023; you can find the video of the public information session here. CB6 passed a resolution giving initial feedback on this text amendment at its May 8th Full Board meeting; you can find the resolution here. This text amendment has been referred to community boards, and a resolution issuing a favorable opinion to the text amendment package passed our June 12, 2024 Full Board meeting.

To learn more about City of Yes, visit the Department of City Planning’s website here. Flyers describing the proposals are directly available here.

The CB6 Transportation Committee announced a project to reimagine a congested segment of 3rd Avenue (from 26th Street to 32nd Street) to increase the amount of sidewalk space available to pedestrians and outdoor dining alike. That way, there isn’t so much competition for tight space. CB6 commissioned Sam Schwartz Engineering to draft a concept plan for widening the sidewalks on this portion of 3rd Avenue, using a CB6 resolution as a guide. You can find Sam Schwartz Engineering’s concepts for the area here. If you live in and around the area, we’d love to hear your feedback on the project! Simply email us your thoughts at [email protected].