Press Releases

For Immediate Release
November 22, 2023

Contacts:
Casey Berkovitz, Joe Marvilli – press@planning.nyc.gov (212) 720-3471

NEW YORK – Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Dan Garodnick and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the investment of $12 million through the Strategy for Equity and Economic Development (SEED) Fund for public realm and streetscape improvements along Steinway Street in Astoria, Queens. 

The street redesign, led by NYC DOT, will build out midblock curb extensions and new public spaces at three locations on Steinway Street between 30th and 34th Avenues, and will introduce two new green spaces at the Steinway Landmark Clock and at Municipal Parking Lot #2, between Broadway and 31st Avenue. 

“With this catalytic investment in Steinway Street, we are supporting local small businesses, improving pedestrian safety and circulation, and helping create a more vibrant corridor for neighbors. With the SEED Fund and City of Yes zoning changes, we’re supporting neighborhoods and communities across the city,” said Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning. 

“These capital investments will deliver concrete safety upgrades and help beautify what is one of Queens’ premier shopping and dining corridors. These mid-block curb extensions, which will naturally calm vehicle traffic, and new pedestrian space enhancements will together help make Steinway Street and even more welcoming destination,” said New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We thank our sister agencies, as well as our community partners, for their support.”   

“I am thrilled with this allocation of $12 million in SEED funds, which will greatly benefit the small businesses on Steinway Street and all those who patronize them,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “These funds will strongly improve pedestrian circulation and safety along Steinway Street and help support a deep, equitable, and sustainable post-pandemic recovery of that corridor and of the entire Astoria neighborhood. I look forward to continuing to work with the administration on similar projects that will improve our streetscapes and promote economic opportunity for all New Yorkers.” 

“I welcome these streetscape improvements, which are a good step on the way to what we truly need in order to end traffic violence and save the lives of our neighbors: neighborhood-wide street safety planning,” said Council Member Tiffany Cabán. “Midblock curb extensions are a laudable traffic-calming measure, and we need many more such improvements on a massive scale to truly call our neighborhood safe for pedestrians, cyclists, and New Yorkers with mobility impairments.” 

“The Steinway Astoria Partnership is grateful and delighted to see these long desired streetscape improvements coming to Steinway Street.  We have advocated for these green spaces and public spaces for many years and are heartened to see them come to fruition. These elements will go a long way in creating our vision of creating a pedestrian friendly environment here on Steinway Street which will help revitalize this great commercial corridor,” said Marie Torniali, Executive Director of the Steinway Astoria Partnership. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mayor Adams, Commissioners Garodnick and Rodriguez and are grateful for the support of the Department of Transportation, Department of City Planning, and the Department of Small Business Services working towards the common goal of assisting our small businesses to thrive.” 

The street redesign is one of almost 100 projects planned, in design or construction, or recently completed by DOT to improve commercial corridors, including Grand Concourse in the Bronx, Atlantic Avenue in East New York, 10th Avenue in Inwood, and the Bay Street Corridor on Staten Island – totaling nearly $3 billion of past and present funding.  

These street changes will support pedestrian safety and help to revitalize the Steinway Street business corridor through improved walkability and customer circulation. It comes as DCP advances the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity initiative, a set of citywide zoning changes to support New York’s economy and small businesses – including by promoting vibrant commercial corridors and modernizing regulations to help fill vacant storefronts – and is a part of Mayor Adams’s “Working People’s Tour” to celebrate New York City regaining all of the jobs it lost during the pandemic and continue to create opportunities for working New Yorkers across the five boroughs. 

This funding is the third allocation from the New York City Strategy for Equity and Economic Development (NYC SEED) Fund, a new, equitable, cross-agency capital planning framework, since it was announced last year. The Fund has also supported improvements to St. Andrew’s Playground in Bed-Stuy and sidewalks and infrastructure near Broadway Junction. 

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Department of City Planning
The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the City through ground-up planning with communities, the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide, and its contribution to the preparation of the City’s 10-year Capital Strategy. DCP promotes housing production and affordability, fosters economic development and coordinated investments in infrastructure and services, and supports resilient, sustainable communities across the five boroughs for a more equitable New York City.

In addition, DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of approximately 450 land use applications for a variety of discretionary approvals. The Department also assists both government agencies and the public by advising on strategic and capital planning and providing policy analysis, technical assistance and data relating to housing, transportation, community facilities, demography, zoning, urban design, waterfront areas and public open space.