Mamdani plans to put the park back in Park Avenue with proposed redesign concepts
MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the NYC DOT are unveiling potential redesigns that seek to revitalize and beautify Park Avenue while improving safety for the community.
A redesign was proposed years ago and would transform the avenue between East 46th Street and East 57th Street, with the aim of making the space greener and safer for all.
The redesign aims to balance the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. It would remove one travel lane in each direction, expanding medians to accommodate seating, plantings and other pedestrian and cycling amenities. This includes bike lanes and other street features.
New crosswalks would connect the medians along the corridor.
"We are putting the 'Park' back into Park Avenue and upgrading Midtown Manhattan by providing residents and visitors alike with more usable public space," Mayor Mamdani said.
"Our city's public spaces must better serve the public, and my administration has made this a priority through bold infrastructure investments and street redesigns ... we will ensure that New York City's streets are the envy of the world," he added.
The Park Avenue redesign project comes as the MTA works to rehabilitate the Grand Central Terminal train shed, which sits below this section of Park Avenue.
This train shed rehabilitation is part of the MTA's 2025-2029 capital plan.
As the MTA strives to waterproof and replace sections of the shed structure, Mamdani's administration is looking to take advantage of the moment by redefining the public space above.
New York City is also seeking community input to shape decision making, and spent Wednesday afternoon soliciting feedback on the designs.
"As someone who bikes to work every day, I think adding a bike lane and just putting more opportunities for people to be outside and sit and eat lunch and talk to other people is great," said cyclist Lily Herman.
Drivers say they are concerned about possible congestion, but transportation officials say they accounted for that in their proposals.
"We're also incorporating left-hand turn lanes and right-hand turn lanes to try to make sure that there's still that capacity at the intersections," said Nicholas Pettinati, Department of Transportation deputy director of urban design.
Mamdani's administration has released two renderings which show potential redesigns, developed through community engagement measures including surveys, interviews and community board meetings.
"We're turning underused space into something welcoming, functional and vibrant for the people who live, work and spend time on this iconic street," added NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn.
"Eliminating two lanes of car traffic to create space for people to walk, bike and gather is a huge step towards reimagining NYC streets," said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of Open Plans.
Upcoming Outreach
NYC DOT will host public events to gather feedback:
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
12-2 p.m.
- Lever House (54th Street & Park Avenue)
- 425 Park Avenue (56th Street & Park Avenue)
5-7 p.m. (Rain date is Thursday, April 30 from 5-7 p.m.)
- Lever House (54th Street & Park Avenue)
- 277 Park Ave (47th Street & Park Avenue)
Saturday, May 2, 2026
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- St. Bartholomew's Church (50th Street & Park Avenue)
Community Board Meetings
Manhattan Community Board 6: May 4, 2026, 7 p.m. (virtual)
Manhattan Community Board 5: May 28, 2026 (details forthcoming)
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