Enhancing the Public Realm in Long Island City
The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) has worked on several projects across Long Island City in recent years to enhance the public realm by expanding and bringing amenities to public spaces and improving street safety.
Most recently, NYC DOT has completed 46th Avenue Plaza, which is located in front of MoMA PS1, between 46th Ave and Jackson Ave.
The NYC DOT has also recently implemented the Hunter Shared Street on Hunter Street between 44th Road and 44th Drive along with other improvements along Crescent Street.
Other public realm improvements and programming in Long Island City include:
- 44th Drive Street Seat
- Jackson Avenue street improvements
- 12th Street Plaza, on 12th Street between 44th Avenue and 43rd Road
- Court Square West Open Street
- El-Space: Dutch Kills
- Weekend Walks on Vernon Boulevard
More information on these projects can be found on the NYC DOT Current Projects page.
Currently, NYC DOT is looking to expand pedestrian space, enhance bike connections, and make safer connections on the segment of Thomson Avenue that is adjacent to Court Square and spans from Jackson Avenue to La Guardia Community College.
Previous Community Outreach
The NYC DOT held a series of Virtual Design Workshops about safety and public realm improvements in the Court Square neighborhood of Long Island City during Winter 2021. Workshops were held on December 15th and 17th, 2020, and February 3rd and 4th, 2021.
The Virtual Design Workshop presentations can be viewed at these links: December 2020 Workshop, February 2021 Workshop.
In 2019, the NYC DOT Street Ambassadors held multiple outreach events in Long Island City. During these outreach events in May and October, the Street Ambassadors were stationed near Court Square West and LaGuardia Community College, respectively. Survey respondents were asked to participate in a mapping activity in which they drew the routes they typically walk or bike in the Court Square neighborhood of Long Island City.
Thomson Avenue
The top concerns expressed during previous outreach were frustration with sidewalk congestion, insufficient bike infrastructure, and speeding vehicles that block crossings and do not to yield to pedestrians. Respondents expressed that they desired more pedestrian circulation space and amenities such as seating and bike parking.
The NYC DOT is looking for feedback on a design idea for Thomson Avenue between Jackson Avenue and 44th Drive that seeks to:
- Expand pedestrian space and prioritize non-vehicular circulation
- Improve safety through traffic calming measures
- Enhance cyclist and pedestrian infrastructure
The current design idea for Thomson Avenue proposes:
- Expanded pedestrian space on the south side of the street and adjacent to Court Square to improve pedestrian circulation
- Public space amenities such as bike corrals, street furniture, and plantings
- Shortened pedestrian crossings and curb extensions that improve visibility and encourage cars to slow down
- Programming opportunities such as markets, music, and other one-day events
Highlighted Project: Hunter Street & 44th Road Shared Street
The NYC DOT implemented a Shared Street on Hunter Street and 44th Road in Long Island City. The project aimed to improve and expand pedestrian space, provide public space amenities, and calm traffic. It included new 5 MPH speed limit signs, updated curb regulations, sidewalk extensions, new pedestrian ramps and crosswalks, and other amenities such as planters and street furniture.
More information about the project can be found on the "Highlighted Projects in LIC" page located on the navigation panel to the left.
Highlighted Project: Jackson Avenue Proposal
The NYC DOT has also implemented public space improvements on Jackson Ave and 44th Drive in Long Island City. The improvements expanded pedestrian space, updated curb regulations, and provided public space amenities such as bike parking, street furniture, and large planters.
