NYC DOT to Launch Shabbos Open Streets on Staten Island

By Hamodia Staff

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced today the launch of two new Open Streets on Staten Island to support Shabbos in partnership with the borough’s Jewish community. The block-long Open Streets on Suffolk Avenue and Vermont Court, in Castleton Corners, will support walking, cycling, and play among children during Shabbos, with operations in effect Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The announcement comes as NYC DOT gears to launch a third new Open Street on Front Street, running from St. George to Stapleton on the Island’s North Shore, during select Saturdays this summer.

“New York City DOT is continuing to expand our Open Streets program across the five boroughs to ensure all New Yorkers have access to welcoming public spaces,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “Our Shabbos Open Streets are a great example of the broad variety of partners NYC DOT engages with to manage and program our Open Streets. We welcome community groups and institutions to consider applying to take part in the program and help New Yorkers reimagine their streets.”

SHABBOS OPEN STREETS

Open Streets is a community-led program, meaning community groups apply to launch and operate locations. Eligible organizations include cultural, faith-, and health-based institutions, schools, business improvement districts, and other local community groups. DOT is partnering with the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island to operate two new “Shabbos Open Streets” in Castleton Corners on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting Friday, May 26, and running through September.

One location will run along Suffolk Avenue, from Queen Street to Harold Street. A second, abutting Open Street will run on Vermont Court, between Gansevoort Boulevard and Suffolk Avenue. These Open Streets are scheduled to be in operation Fridays, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

FRONT STREET OPEN STREET

DOT is also partnering with City Council Member Kamillah Hanks and the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation to launch an Open Street on Front Street, from Bay to Prospect streets, during the following six Saturdays:

• June 17

• June 24

• July 15

• July 22

• July 29

• August 5

Each Saturday will feature a different theme. Hours of operation for Front Street will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This April, NYC DOT announced the launch of nearly 160 Open Street locations for the 2023 season–as well as funding to make permanent enhancements to existing Open Streets. That April announcement included the addition of a Staten Island Open Street along Water Street in Stapleton, from Beach Street to Canal Street, which is set to launch on Saturday, June 3. This Open Street, operated by the Van Duzer Street Civic Association, will be in effect on Saturdays between 11:30 am and 6:30 pm.

The Front Street and Shabbos Open Streets add to the existing total and come as the agency finalizes a second round of 2023 Open Streets, which will be announced soon.

Both the Front Street and Water Street Open Streets are being supported through NYC DOT’s Public Space Equity Program. The program offers staffing support via the Horticultural Society of New York, programming, and funding to locations in underserved communities to help ensure all New Yorkers can reimagine their streets and have access to welcoming public spaces. NYC DOT recently announced a new RFP for the program to expand resources to more locations citywide.