Key Facts
- Location: Park Avenue, East 46th–57th Streets
- Length: 11 blocks
- Major change: removal of 2 traffic lanes total
- Additions: seating, greenery, pedestrian space
- Status: proposal + public input phase
Q&A
Q: What is the Park Avenue redesign?
A: A city proposal to expand green space and pedestrian areas while reducing traffic lanes in Midtown.
Q: Will traffic be reduced?
A: Yes, one lane in each direction would be removed to make space for public use.
Q: Are bike lanes included?
A: Potential bike improvements are being studied but not finalized.
Q: Can the public comment on the project?
A: Yes, multiple public meetings and workshops are scheduled.
– New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today unveiled design concepts to put the ‘park’ back in Park Avenue, reimagining a key stretch of Midtown Manhattan as a greener, safer and more people-centered corridor.
The proposed redesign would expand the avenue’s median, add pedestrian enhancements, seating and landscaping, and explore potential bike lanes and innovative streetscape amenities. The project area sits directly above the Grand Central Terminal train shed, which is undergoing a major capital rehabilitation by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)’s Metro-North Railroad.
As the MTA replaces and waterproofs the structure below, the City is advancing a parallel effort to transform the avenue above — aligning infrastructure renewal with a broader vision for public space shaped by community input.
“With this new redesign, we are putting the ‘Park’ back into Park Avenue and upgrading Midtown Manhattan by providing residents and visitors alike with more usable public space,” said Mayor Mamdani. “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. Working together with our partners across the City and State, we will ensure that New York City’s streets are the envy of the world.”
“The Park Avenue redesign will make Midtown Manhattan safer, greener and more welcoming for pedestrians,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “By upgrading the medians and seating, Park Avenue will finally, truly belong to the public. The Mamdani Administration will keep pushing to make our streets safer and more accessible for all New Yorkers.”
“Whether you’re walking, biking or just looking for a place to sit and take a break, this project is about making Park Avenue work better for you” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “We’re turning underused space into something welcoming, functional and vibrant for the people who live, work and spend time on this iconic street.”
The proposal covers 11 blocks from 46th Street to 57th Street. It would remove one travel lane in each direction, allowing medians to expand and accommodate seating, plantings and other pedestrian and cycling amenities. New crosswalks would connect the medians along the corridor.
The design aims to balance the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. Potential bike improvements are being studied in coordination with the City’s broader bike network. A typical median could include planting areas, a north-south bike lane and a pedestrian pathway.
The concepts were developed through extensive community engagement, including a public survey, stakeholder interviews, workshops and meetings with community boards and local organizations.
The train shed rehabilitation is part of the MTA’s 2025–2029 capital plan. The agency is coordinating construction with nearby development projects in East Midtown.
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)
The planning process is funded through the East Midtown Governing Group, created as part of the 2017 Greater East Midtown rezoning, which requires new commercial developments to contribute to nearby public realm improvements.
Community and business leaders echoed support for expanded public space, citing the benefits of wider medians, improved access and a more people-focused streetscape.
“I am pleased this important plan has taken a critical step forward with the launch of the proposed redesign to put the ‘park’ back in Park Avenue,” said Congressman Jerry Nadler. “New York City residents will benefit from the transformational redesign to improve eleven of New York’s most famous city-blocks for years to come. The proposal will modernize the area into a safer, greener space while balancing the needs of all modes of transportation so vehicles, cyclists and especially pedestrians can enjoy Park Avenue. After years of prioritizing vehicle travel, Midtown will soon have improved access to public space that includes programming and natural beauty.”
“I’m thrilled DOT is advancing a redesign of Park Avenue alongside the MTA’s essential work to rehabilitate the train shed beneath Grand Central Terminal. This proposal will transform Park Avenue into a greener, safer and more welcoming corridor, with expanded medians, improved pedestrian crossings and thoughtfully designed public space. I’m grateful to Mayor Mamdani, Commissioner Flynn, Community Boards 5 and 6 and the East Midtown Governing Group for their partnership in moving this long-envisioned project forward. I encourage Manhattanites to participate in DOT’s upcoming public meetings so we can shape the best possible future for Park Avenue together,” said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
“Park Avenue is one of the most iconic corridors in our city, serving commuters, businesses and the millions of people who move through Midtown every day. As the MTA addresses critical infrastructure needs under the roadway, we have a real opportunity to invest in a greener, more accessible and more functional Park Avenue. I appreciate the focus on public engagement and look forward to working with DOT and the community to ensure the final design reflects how New Yorkers use this corridor every day,” said Council Member Virginia Maloney.
“Manhattan Community Board 5 wholeheartedly supports putting the Park back in Park Avenue. We look forward to working with key stakeholders and the community at large to identify and implement equitable measures and improvements to better everyone’s interaction with Park Avenue,” said Bradley Sherburne, Chair of Manhattan Community Board 5.
“While dramatic changes continue to reshape the skyline of Park Avenue with the rise of new state of the art office towers like JPMorgan Chase’s new campus at 270 Park Avenue, L&L Holding’s 425 Park Tower and the planned development of 350 Park Avenue by Vornado, Rudin and Citadel, the city is now taking another step forward to reimagine the pedestrian experience by upgrading accessible open public space for Midtown East in order to put the PARK back in Park Avenue,” said Fred Cerullo, President and CEO of the Grand Central Partnership.
“Our community is strongly supportive of new pedestrian and recreational space. Done right, we expect the widening of the Park Avenue medians and increasing public accessibility along these eleven blocks will prove of great benefit to the people who live and work in East Midtown Manhattan,” said Rob Byrnes, President of the East Midtown Partnership.
“Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn keep showing us what is possible on city streets. We’re excited that they’ll make Park Avenue worthy of its name and introduce a better walking, biking and sitting experience at the heart of Midtown for every New Yorker to enjoy,” said Daniel McPhee, Executive Director of Urban Design Forum.
“The Park Avenue redesign marks a welcome change in the heart of our city. Eliminating two lanes of car traffic to create space for people to walk, bike and gather is a huge step towards reimagining NYC streets. We are encouraged by the steady stream of projects that center people and active mobility that we’ve seen over the last 100 days, and we hope the DOT and Mamdani administration continue their bold leadership in the months to come,” said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of Open Plans.
“We are thrilled to see the Mamdani Administration and NYC DOT leverage the power of community-informed design to make NYC’s streets greener and more livable. The Park Avenue redesign is bold model for a safer, happier and healthier urban landscape,” said Matthew Clarke, Executive Director of the Design Trust for Public Space.
April 29, 2026 NEW YORK
Source: nyc.gov
