By Maggie de la Vega
Exploring sustainable design in NYC, vision42 proposes a transformation of one of the major cross-town arteries of the city, 42nd Street. The proposal outlays an auto-free, pedestrian only streets, complete with a passenger light rail and lush landscaped plantings. This pedestrian zone offers significant advantages in travel, timesaving and potential gains for businesses and property owners, outlined in detail at www.vision42.org/.
Although we’d love to see this vision become a reality, is it possible to circumnavigate opposition given the existing #7 subway line expansion plans? Or, perhaps vision42 is getting a boost now that the NYC Planning Commission recently certified the rezoning of the Western Rail Yards on May 18th? In light of the recent opening of the Highline, we know that citizen initiatives for public urban planning are possible…good luck vision42!