Astoria is getting a pop-up pedestrian plaza
Come see what can happen when New York tries something small
Google Street View of the location where the pop-up plaza will take place
Next Saturday, Astoria is trying something simple, transforming a small part of 32nd Street, between 30th Ave and Newton Avenue, into a pop-up pedestrian plaza. Anyone who walks by this area knows it’s one of our quirkiest intersections. It’s also been one of our most dangerous.
No permanent changes. No construction. Just a temporary pop-up to see what happens when you pedestrianize one street for just a few hours.
This may not sound like a big deal, but turning streets into plazas has faced opposition in the past. Community Board 1 has been asking to transform this eccentric intersection (IYKYK) into a more pedestrian-friendly space for 25 years; a prior plan to create a pedestrian plaza here failed 14 years ago amid vocal opposition from then City Council Member Peter Vallone. In fact, the 30th Avenue and Newton Avenue intersection has been one of the most dangerous in Queens
The effort to pedestrianize 32nd is a collaborative initiative among Central Astoria LDC, 31st Avenue Open Streets, and other neighborhood groups, including QNS Collaborative and the Rolling Library.
One local business that spoke with the author was thrilled about the prospect of a weekend pop-up and selling more espresso to new passersbys, stating, “We’ll make a lot of money.” And who says walkable streets aren’t good for business?!
Soon, Astorians and Queens residents will see the power of simple changes to have a big impact on the quality of life while simultaneously boosting the local economy.
We don’t always need studies, millions of dollars, or armies of consultants to make neighborhoods more walkable. Sometimes, we just need to use our streets more creatively. And that’s exactly what Astoria is doing.