BIDs, business and community groups, schools and other partners are invited to join New York City’s ongoing campaign
to reimagine the use of the streets – and expanding them for pedestrians, cyclists and restaurants

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) has announced that applications for Open Streets are now available online. Last year, DOT was proud to activate hundreds of Open Street locations throughout the city to give back public space to New Yorkers so they can ride their bikes, walk, and enjoy a wide range of activities safely on their streets. The City hosted its largest Summer Streets and Car Free Earth Day in history. Building on the successes of 2022, DOT is excited to announce the launch the 2023 Open Streets application.

“New York City is proud to operate the largest Open Street Program in the nation, thanks to our dedicated and devoted community partners that help us keep these spaces safe, active, and entertaining, ” NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “With the new application available today, DOT is committing to growing and enhancing the Open Streets program to continue reimagining our streets to more and more neighborhoods to every corner of the city.”

NYC DOT works with community-based organizations, educational institutions, and groups of businesses to execute Open Streets citywide. In coordination with community partners, NYC DOT can also help to develop operational plans to manage the street for multiple uses, including outdoor dining, programming, and outdoor learning/recreation for schools. NYC DOT works with partners and local stakeholders to ensure loading, deliveries, and emergency access is coordinated as part of the Open Streets’ operations.

More than ever before does DOT have the resources and tools to right size the level of support for partners that want to host an Open Street in their communities, including funding, materials, programming support, and operational/technical assistance.

Returning Open Streets partners may enter their 2022 approved Application ID to retrieve previously submitted information that applicants can then update. New partners must submit a full application. 

The 2023 application features important deadlines partners should consider before applying:

  • For Open Streets launching on or before June 30th, 2023, the application deadline is January 31st, 2023.
  • For Open Streets launching on or after July 1st, 2023, the deadline is April 14th, 2023, which is also the deadline is also for any school applying for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Applications should be submitted online using this link: nyc.gov/openstreets#apply.

Returning and prospective partners are invited to attend a webinar on Friday December 9th from 1pm to 3pm to learn more about applying, how to successfully manage Open Streets, and more. Register in advance for the webinar via bit.ly/OSwebinar23.