34th Avenue Open Street (DOT)
Feb. 23, 2021 By Allie Griffin
The public will have three opportunities over the course of the next week to provide input as to the future of 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights.
The Department of Transportation (DOT), together with local elected officials, is hosting three virtual workshops for the public to provide feedback on the 34th Avenue stretch that goes from 69th Street to Junction Boulevard.
The roadway is currently designated by the DOT as an Open Street, primarily for the use of pedestrians and cyclists. Elected officials and transportation advocates aim to make it a permanent Open Street and are expected to make design suggestions to that end.
The first two workshops are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday this week. The third will be hosted on Thursday, March 4.
The DOT wants to hear what the local community envisions for the avenue through the workshops. Officials will use the feedback to begin the design process for the corridor.
Council Member Daniel Dromm, State Sen. Jessica Ramos and members of Queens Community Board 3 will join representatives of the DOT to lead the discussion. Dromm and Ramos have been outspoken advocates for making 34th Avenue a permanent Open Street.
The 34th Avenue Open Street is closed to cars and most vehicles from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day as part of the city’s Open Streets initiative. Vehicles are permitted to drive — at 5 MPH — on the closed street for local and emergency purposes.
The Open Streets program, including 34th Avenue, was originally set to expire on Oct. 31.
However, after local pushback, DOT officials announced that they would develop a “long-term” plan for the 1.3-mile stretch.
All three workshops will be hosted on Zoom. Those who wish to participate should register in advance at the links below.
The first workshop is Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The second is on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and the third is next Thursday, March 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Please join NYC DOT, @communityboard3, @Dromm25 & @jessicaramos for virtual workshops to hear the community’s vision for 34th Ave & begin the design process for the corridor. Register:
2/24: https://t.co/bP6cMa8Rd2
2/25: https://t.co/OUYL1TifoU
3/4: https://t.co/aDcbmCsXN7 pic.twitter.com/vm3HnCllWc— NYC DOT (@NYC_DOT) February 19, 2021
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9 Comments
I live in Jackson Heights, Queens for forty years, especially on 34th Avenue. I don’t mind the streets on 34th Avenue being closed as long as I can park my vehicle outside my building. What I don’t like is the District representative wants to remove all vehicles from 34th Avenue and if that happens where the hell we going to park our vehicles?
I am very WORRIED about you bringing in food vendors and flee market vendors. 34 Avenue in a BEAUTIFUL Avenue and will be spoiled. It is a residential avenue and not a commercial avenue.
Hi, I am so glad to know that the closing to traffic along 34th avenue in Jackson Heights is permanent. I grew up here and I recently came back on a more permanent basis to take care of my mom, and have been happy to see a thriving community.Keep me posted.
Close 35 ave between 69st and 72st. More better!!!
Yes! Get rid of the tent people under the BQE on 35ave it’s scary. Also close that bar on 35ave and 71 st. Nothing but trouble there. Since it’s been closed from the pandemic there is less problem people around here.
I agree. Clean up this area.
That’s me in the picture, the one wearing the hat ?
Let’s go Mets !
Good. Since they want to continue to make it difficult for people with cars, I’ll have my company raise the monthly rent for my garage spaces. Then they can go cry to Mayor DiBlasio about it.
Keep it open the same way as now but permanently. It was the one of very few things local officials got right.