Mayor Eric Adams has announced a $152.7 million investment to transform Fifth Avenue into a more pedestrian-friendly boulevard from Bryant Park to Central Park. The redesign will include expanding sidewalks by 46%, reducing traffic lanes, and adding greenery to create a safer and more walkable space. The project aims to support Fifth Avenue’s economic output, which currently generates $44 billion in wages annually and supports 313,000 jobs.
The revamped corridor will feature 230 new trees, 20,000 square feet of planters, and improved lighting and seating, drawing inspiration from iconic streets like Paris’ Champs Élysées. The project is expected to pay for itself in less than five years through increased property and sales tax revenue, according to City Hall.
Currently accommodating up to 23,000 pedestrians per hour during peak times, the redesign will double pedestrian space and shorten crossing distances by a third. Construction is set to begin after design completion in 2025, with underground infrastructure upgrades included.
Madelyn Wils, interim president of the Fifth Avenue Association and co-chair of the Future of Fifth Steering Committee, expressed excitement for the transformation, stating that the iconic street will evolve into a beautiful tree-lined boulevard that prioritizes pedestrians. The project aims to address overcrowding and improve the overall pedestrian experience on Fifth Avenue, setting the stage for a more vibrant and accessible future for the famous avenue.
Source
Photo credit gothamist.com