The Financial District Neighborhood Association (FDNA) released “Make Way for Lower Manhattan,” a multi-year report to provide a vision to transform the historic neighborhood and create safer and cleaner streets.
Several factors contribute to Lower Manhattan’s crowded sidewalks and streets, the report says. “The old, Colonial streets and sidewalks of Manhattan’s Financial District have become far too crowded with different obstacles, largely due to the ongoing conversion of skyscrapers to residential use and new construction of large residential buildings, coupled with the dramatic growth of downtown tourism,” the report says.
Piles of garbage covering sidewalks create health hazards and push pedestrians into already crowded streets. Construction scaffolding and street vendors block sidewalks. The situation causes dangerous conditions. Congestion slows emergency vehicles, and pedestrians and cyclists fight with cars for space on streets and sidewalks. Recently, there has been a spate of fatalities and accidents in the area.
The pilot program recommended in the report includes improved walking corridors, targeted sanitation interventions, slow street zones, and pedestrian-safe plazas.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Apr 18, 2017
K-12 school daylighting initiative created to promote best practices
Eneref Institute creates networking group of school administrators for ideas to overcome market obstacles.
Codes and Standards | Apr 17, 2017
OSHA delays enforcing crystalline silica standard in construction industry
Enforcement will begin Sept. 23, three months later than planned.
Codes and Standards | Apr 13, 2017
Former OSHA official publishes safety citations on his own
Under Trump orders, agency had stopped issuing ‘shaming’ press releases on major fines and safety violations.
Codes and Standards | Apr 12, 2017
Trump infrastructure task force suggests arbitration to speed projects
Permitting process could be reduced from 10 years to 2 years under the proposal.
Codes and Standards | Apr 11, 2017
2017 National Energy Codes Conference includes code boot camp, PNC Tower tour
The DOE-sponsored event will be held in Pittsburgh July 17-20.
Codes and Standards | Apr 10, 2017
Congressional hearing on skills gap includes look at construction industry
Strategies to boost ranks of construction workers include mentoring programs, increased safety measures, trade group support, and outreach to school counselors.
Codes and Standards | Apr 6, 2017
Product-specific EPDs seen as key aid to earning green building credits
The product-specific EPDs allow designers to more quickly earn a LEED v4 credit in the Materials & Resources category.
Codes and Standards | Apr 5, 2017
Updated AIA Disaster Assistance Handbook released with significant enhancements
Updates provide guidance on how design and construction pros and emergency managers can work together to prepare for and respond to disasters.
Codes and Standards | Apr 4, 2017
Global standards for indoor environmental monitoring under development
Systems and sensors guidelines will be aligned with major green standards.
Codes and Standards | Apr 3, 2017
New standard test method for static loading and impact on exterior shading released
The method provides a standard lab procedure evaluation of ice and snow loads and impacts.