Jackson Heights Life

The way that the street was initially closed without any debate or consultation has created the perception that the topic was not open to debate.

We don't live in a pure democracy. We live in a representative democracy. If you don't like that the Avenue is shut down, you could always vote against your local representatives that were/are in favor of it. Mount a phone campaign to their local offices so people like you have their voices heard.  If you don't like the program, and didn't like it back in March and April when this discussion was happening, perhaps it's worth considering either that your side didn't have as big a voice or it's not as big as you imagine to be.

There absolutely was a process - one involving a pilot program in march, which was initially opposed by the mayor. People spoke up and advocated to their local representatives at the city and state level that it was a good idea and organized local community groups to manage the closed street. Those folks prevailed. People who didn't like it, didn't. Maybe there's some insight to be drawn from that about the relative support your position has in the neighborhood.

   With so few people actually using the 34th Ave Open Street in many hours of the day, even on some of the nicer days, closing the street from 8am- 8pm seems like a big ask from the city and not exactly strategic. When it's crowded, it's busy but there are many hours of the day now when it's super quiet and the sidewalks are even empty.
  Google data or other analytics will be able to show when the need or desire to use the street is highest and I would go for those hours which might just be some of the weekend, rather than ask for the 12hour, all volunteer set up that is currently in use. It's just not working for enough people and it would be great to pivot towards getting a community center that is year round and has programs for youth, seniors and the whole population. Being in the street has helped during the pandemic but going forward we need a more significant social space.
 Those that love all of it have been the most vocal but there are plenty of others who see big problems with the current state of things on 34th Ave. Discuss the electric bikes, lighting for when it's dark out, having a cleanup crew, use city workers to help with the barriers(lots are missing) and ask the community for ways to proceed. Let's have a democratic process here.

   With so few people actually using the 34th Ave Open Street in many hours of the day, even on some of the nicer days, closing the street from 8am- 8pm seems like a big ask from the city and not exactly strategic. When it's crowded, it's busy but there are many hours of the day now when it's super quiet and the sidewalks are even empty.
  Google data or other analytics will be able to show when the need or desire to use the street is highest and I would go for those hours which might just be some of the weekend, rather than ask for the 12hour, all volunteer set up that is currently in use. It's just not working for enough people and it would be great to pivot towards getting a community center that is year round and has programs for youth,

Which hours are the quietest? I never go above 82nd Street so don’t know how busy the upper portion gets, but below that it usually seems well-used to me even in the middle of the day on a weekday (though not as busy as mornings and evenings, which gets crowded.)  I’d be happy to schedule my use for when the fewest people are on there to spread out the usage more.

A community center would be fantastic, but doesn’t address the need for open outdoor space.

I was out on the avenue around 10am today, a weekday. There were many people strolling, bikers using the bike lanes, and elderly people sitting on the curbs. Two white work vans (plumbers or construction guys) turned a corner slowly onto the avenue and parked where they needed to, to get work done. A woman turned and pulled into a parking space. Several bikers went by. It was a perfect example of shared, considerate use.

Totally agree. The closed street is like an example for the world when it comes to neighborhood harmony.

Kids & parents have legs.

 For those with demonstrable mobility issues, exceptions can be made. Everyone else should suck it up and walk.

People should be vigilant here as this idea seems to be steamrolling through without so much as a Town Hall or any kind of vote. Think Mitch McConnell and the Supreme Court nominee.

More like in a good democracy, the majority rules.

I am well aware of our type of democracy. ("good democracy" was irony)

I would say that the huge avalanche of emails and calls and signatures from folks in the neighborhood who are for the Open Street of 34th Ave have swayed the opinion of reps.

Almost a good democracy. :^)