Astoria, Queens is set to witness a significant upgrade to one of its most vital commercial arteries. The Adams Administration has announced a $12 million investment dedicated to public realm and streetscape improvements along Steinway Street. This initiative, spearheaded by the Department of City Planning (DCP) and the Department of Transportation (DOT), aims to revitalize this bustling corridor, enhance pedestrian safety, and bolster local businesses.
The comprehensive street redesign project, led by NYC DOT, will introduce a series of strategic enhancements along Steinway Street between 30th and 34th Avenues. Key features of the redesign include the construction of midblock curb extensions. These extensions are designed to create new public spaces and naturally calm vehicle traffic, contributing to a safer and more pedestrian-friendly environment. Furthermore, the project incorporates the creation of two new green spaces at significant locations: the iconic Steinway Landmark Clock and Municipal Parking Lot #2, situated between Broadway and 31st Avenue. These green spaces promise to beautify the streetscape and offer residents and visitors pleasant respites within the urban environment.
Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning, emphasized the multifaceted benefits of this investment: “With this catalytic investment in Steinway Street, we are supporting local small businesses, improving pedestrian safety and circulation, and helping create a more vibrant corridor for neighbors.” He also highlighted the broader context of this project within the city’s larger initiatives for community support and economic development, referencing the SEED Fund and City of Yes zoning changes.
Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez of the New York City Department of Transportation echoed this sentiment, focusing on the tangible safety improvements and aesthetic enhancements: “These capital investments will deliver concrete safety upgrades and help beautify what is one of Queens’ premier shopping and dining corridors… these mid-block curb extensions, which will naturally calm vehicle traffic, and new pedestrian space enhancements will together help make Steinway Street an even more welcoming destination.”
The positive impact of the Steinway Street project is also recognized at the borough level. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am thrilled with this allocation of $12 million in SEED funds, which will greatly benefit the small businesses on Steinway Street and all those who patronize them.” He further emphasized the project’s role in promoting an equitable and sustainable post-pandemic recovery for Astoria.
Council Member Tiffany Cabán acknowledged the value of the improvements while advocating for a broader vision of street safety: “Midblock curb extensions are a laudable traffic-calming measure, and we need many more such improvements on a massive scale to truly call our neighborhood safe for pedestrians, cyclists, and New Yorkers with mobility impairments.”
Representing the local business community, Marie Torniali, Executive Director of the Steinway Astoria Partnership, conveyed the long-awaited anticipation and gratitude for these enhancements: “The Steinway Astoria Partnership is grateful and delighted to see these long desired streetscape improvements coming to Steinway Street… These elements will go a long way in creating our vision of creating a pedestrian friendly environment here on Steinway Street which will help revitalize this great commercial corridor.”
This investment in Steinway Street is part of a larger city-wide effort by DOT to enhance commercial corridors across the five boroughs. With nearly $3 billion in funding allocated to almost 100 similar projects, including initiatives on Grand Concourse in the Bronx and Atlantic Avenue in East New York, the city is demonstrating a commitment to improving walkability, pedestrian safety, and economic vitality in neighborhoods throughout New York City. The Steinway Street redesign aligns with the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity initiative, aiming to modernize zoning regulations and support small businesses, further contributing to Mayor Adams’s vision of a thriving and equitable New York City economy.
Funded through the NYC SEED Fund, this project represents the third allocation from this equitable capital planning framework. The SEED Fund has previously supported vital improvements in other neighborhoods, underscoring its city-wide impact. The upcoming enhancements to Steinway Street promise to create a more welcoming, safer, and economically vibrant environment for residents, businesses, and visitors alike in the heart of Astoria, Queens.
