The Brian Lehrer Show A Pedestrian-Friendly Grand Army Plaza?
Apr 17, 2026
Liam Quigley, parks and sanitation reporter for Gothamist and WNYC, breaks down the plan to expand pedestrian space at Grand Army Plaza and the history behind the redesign. He also explores declining citywide composting participation, enforcement shifts, and the practical challenges landlords and residents face. Short, clear takes on traffic redesign, community reactions, and compost policy.
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Design Chosen To Bring The Arch Into The Park
- The selected redesign makes the southern side pedestrian-only and reroutes vehicle traffic around the arch on both sides.
- The plan turns formerly one-way approaches into bi-directional streets so drivers can still reach destinations without cutting through the plaza.
Give Feedback At DOT Workshops
- Residents should attend DOT public workshops and submit feedback to shape traffic and neighborhood impacts.
- Liam notes DOT will hold outreach sessions to fine-tune routing and address concerns about congestion spilling onto nearby streets like Sterling or Fifth Avenue.
Redesign Adds 34,000 Square Feet Of Public Space
- Reconfiguring the plaza will create substantial new public space without major construction.
- Transportation officials estimate about 34,000 square feet of added public space that could support expanded farmers markets and programming under the arch.