by Howard Morrel & Leslie Hirsch
57th Street Report
Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan is known for its iconic office towers and luxury stores, but it’s also infamous for congested traffic and crowded sidewalks. A new $350 million redesign aims to restore its charm, transforming a 20-block stretch between Central Park and Bryant Park into a pedestrian-friendly boulevard, similar to famous streets like the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
The plan, unveiled on October 17, will widen sidewalks, add seating areas, and plant over 200 trees, while removing two of the avenue’s five traffic lanes. It’s part of a long-standing effort by city officials, business leaders, and park stewards to reimagine Fifth Avenue, a project that has been in discussion since 2022.
Mixed Reactions from New Yorkers
While many pedestrians and urban planners are celebrating the proposed changes, others are less enthusiastic. Critics, particularly drivers and bus riders, worry about increased traffic congestion. Cyclists have also voiced concerns about the absence of a dedicated bike lane.
Transit advocates, like Danny Pearlstein from Riders Alliance, argue that the redesign prioritizes luxury shopping at the expense of commuters, calling for a busway to prioritize public transit, emergency vehicles, and cyclists. Meanwhile, transportation experts view the plan as a necessary first step toward improving mobility and open space in one of New York’s most congested areas.
Revitalizing Midtown
Kate Slevin, executive vice president of the Regional Plan Association, sees this redesign as part of a broader vision for midtown Manhattan. She and others hope it will lead to future expansions that enhance public spaces across surrounding streets.
Madelyn Wils, interim president of the Fifth Avenue Association, emphasizes the economic benefits of the redesign, predicting that improved pedestrian access will boost retail sales, property values, and tax revenue. Currently, over 5,400 pedestrians navigate this area during rush hour, compared to fewer motorists, yet they occupy only a small portion of the street.
Balancing Pedestrian and Vehicle Needs
Fifth Avenue spans 100 feet across, with sidewalks covering 46 feet. Under the new plan, the sidewalks will expand to 67 feet, while traffic lanes will shrink to 33 feet. This adjustment is intended to better balance the needs of pedestrians and vehicles, according to Liu Ya-Ting, New York City’s chief public realm officer.
Despite removing two car lanes, the plan will maintain a single bus lane, converting another into a shared lane. While the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is reviewing the proposal, some advocates, like architect Vishaan Chakrabarti, hope for more, calling for a protected bike lane on the East Side of Midtown.
Looking to the Future
The redesign will also shorten and raise crosswalks, making it easier and safer for pedestrians to navigate the street. A public meeting is scheduled for October 29, and while the design may still undergo revisions, major approvals are not expected to derail the project. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2028.
This plan seeks to undo a century-old decision that prioritized cars over pedestrians, a move Samuel Schwartz, former city traffic commissioner, described as a “mistake.” He adds that, historically, reducing traffic lanes has led to fewer cars, as drivers adjust by finding alternate routes or switching to other forms of transportation.
By reshaping Fifth Avenue, the city hopes to strike a new balance between cars and pedestrians, creating a more walkable and vibrant Midtown Manhattan.