The mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, along with the Future of Fifth Partnership, announced plans to transform Fifth Avenue, between Bryant Park and Central Park, into a pedestrian-centered boulevard. The project includes expanding sidewalks by 46%, reducing traffic lanes, improving pedestrian safety with shorter crosswalks, and adding greenery and lighting.
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Fifth Avenue currently spans 100 feet, originally consisting of five lanes for vehicular traffic and two 23-foot sidewalks. Despite pedestrians accounting for 70 percent of traffic, the sidewalks occupy only 46 percent of the space. With each block accommodating around 5,500 pedestrians per hour on average, and up to 23,000 during holiday seasons, the current setup struggles to manage this foot traffic volume. This challenge is exacerbated by the pedestrian space being further reduced.
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The redesigned Fifth Avenue nearly doubles sidewalk width to 33.5 feet on each side, providing 25 feet of unobstructed walking space and an additional 8.5-foot segment for trees.
The upgrade includes over 230 new trees and 20,000 square feet of planters, integrating new seating areas, activation spaces, and improved lighting.
Additionally, greening initiatives will offer shade and innovative storm water infrastructure to mitigate flooding.