The design inspiration for the Fifth Avenue transformation comes from the historical landmarks and Art Deco style of the avenue, highlighting its iconic architectural features. New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently announced a collaboration with the Future of Fifth Partnership to transform the stretch of Fifth Avenue between Bryant Park and Central Park into a world-class pedestrian-centric boulevard.
The proposed design plans to increase sidewalk space by 46%, significantly shorten the crossing distance at crosswalks by more than a third, and reduce the number of vehicle lanes from five to three. Additionally, the project will introduce 230 new trees, along with upgraded lighting, seating, and activity spaces. It is projected that the investment will pay off within five years through increased property and sales tax revenues.
Currently, Fifth Avenue spans approximately 100 feet wide, comprising five vehicle lanes and two sidewalks, each 23 feet wide. Although pedestrians make up 70% of the traffic along this corridor, the sidewalks occupy only 46% of the total space.
On average, each block sees about 5,500 pedestrians per hour, with that number soaring to 23,000 during peak holiday periods—an equivalent of 4,000 more than a sold-out Madison Square Garden event. The existing layout is unable to accommodate such high foot traffic, especially given that sidewalks on either side have just 15 feet for walking space, which is often obstructed by street fixtures like signage, bus stops, light poles, and trash bins.
The design also draws from the transformation experiences of famous shopping streets, including Paris’s Champs-Élysées, London’s Oxford Street, and Tokyo’s Ginza, accentuating the visual significance of Fifth Avenue’s architectural heritage.
However, some drivers have expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed changes. Mr. Li, who occasionally drives from Queens to Chinatown for work, noted that if bus lanes are moved to the center of the road, ordinary vehicles will only have access to the outer lanes. This change, coupled with the loading and unloading of passengers, could lead to increased incidents of cyclists brushing against cars. He commented, “With fewer lanes available, it might be better just to turn this area into a pedestrian street.”
In parallel, there is an ongoing project to revamp Park Avenue, specifically the segment between East 46th Street and East 57th Street, which aims to create more green spaces, public seating, and commercial amenities. Additional initiatives include expanding the Broadway Vision project, opening Plaza33 at Penn Station, and supporting the replacement and expansion of the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
