New York City Unveils Plans to Transform Fifth Avenue into a Pedestrian-Centered Boulevard

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. This configuration reduces crossing distances by over a third, enhancing pedestrian safety. 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 stormwater infrastructure to mitigate flooding.

Fifth Avenue’s significant role in New York City’s economy is underscored by its contribution of 313,000 direct and indirect jobs. This redesign initiative hopes to continue and strengthen this role by creating a more welcoming urban environment. This continues a previous initiative, the 2022 Holiday Open Streets program, which restricted vehicle access on 11 blocks and encouraged pedestrian zones. It resulted in an estimated $3 million increase in spending along pedestrianized streets, with businesses experiencing a 6.6 percent rise in spending compared to non-pedestrianized areas, further demonstrating the avenue’s robust economic potential.