Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure meeting
January 30, 2026, 10:00 AM
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing on Int 0257-2026, which would allow special activations of the open streets program on holidays and other time periods with high pedestrian traffic.
What was discussed
- Call to order The Sergeant-at-Arms ran a sound test and opened the January 30, 2026 hearing of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Chair Shaun Abreu opens the hearing on Open Streets holiday activations Council Member Shaun Abreu, Majority Leader and Chair of the Committee, opened the hearing on Int 0257-2026, which would allow special activations of the Open Streets program on holidays and other high-pedestrian-traffic periods.
- Sponsor Rita C. Joseph introduces the Open Streets holiday-activation bill Council Member Rita C. Joseph, the sponsor, described Int 0257-2026 (which she noted she first introduced in the prior session), explaining that it would let Open Streets partners run special holiday activations to bring more programming to neighborhoods.
- Colleagues recognized and DOT panel sworn in Chair Abreu recognized attending members—Council Members Phil Wong, Christopher Marte, Justin E. Sanchez, Farah N. Louis, and, remotely, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Shahana K. Hanif, and Pierina Ana Sanchez—and the Committee Counsel swore in the DOT witnesses.
- DOT Deputy Commissioner Beaton testifies on the Open Streets holiday bill Eric Beaton, DOT Deputy Commissioner for Transportation Planning and Management, joined by Assistant Commissioner Rick Rodriguez, delivered the agency's testimony on Int 0257-2026 and the Open Streets program.
- How many Open Streets applications has DOT received for 2026, and how many are new partners? Chair Abreu asked about the 2026 application volume; Deputy Commissioner Beaton said DOT was at 103 applications so far—89 returning and 14 new—with the first deadline still to come and totals historically topping 200, and described outreach to underserved neighborhoods, community boards, and
- How many holiday full-closure permits does DOT grant, and how would the bill change that? Chair Abreu asked how many holiday full-closure requests DOT receives and grants and how the agency would promote the option; Deputy Commissioner Beaton said aside from the high-volume 'Trick-or-Street' Halloween activations, most holidays draw only one or two requests, that DOT rarely denies
- How will DOT handle enforcement and emergency-vehicle access during special activations? Chair Abreu asked whether DOT needs other agencies' help and how it guarantees emergency access during extended hours; Deputy Commissioner Beaton said most Open Streets run smoothly with DOT support, that NYPD assists mainly with large crowds and up-front review, and that all partners must maintain
- Can the Open Streets program expand playground access? Chair Abreu, citing his interest in expanding playground access, asked whether Open Streets could help; Deputy Commissioner Beaton said the program's need to reopen streets to traffic makes permanent play installations difficult, but DOT often sites Open Streets near parks and works with the Parks
- Would the $20,000 non-profit reimbursement grant cover holiday activations? Council Member Christopher Marte asked whether the roughly $20,000 reimbursement grant for non-profits running Open Streets activities would also apply to holiday-specific events; Deputy Commissioner Beaton said yes—DOT would provide either the reimbursement or direct assistance—and framed the
- DOT panel excused; public testimony opens Chair Abreu excused the DOT panel and opened the hearing to public testimony.
- Theo Chino asks to add United Nations week to the holiday list Theo Chino, First National Secretary of the Social Democrats of America, testified in support of the bill and asked that it be amended to formally include United Nations week among the Open Streets holidays.
- Glen Bolofsky thanks the Committee and backs the expansion Glen Bolofsky testified thanking the Chair and Committee for expanding the Open Streets program and voiced support for the effort.
- Saskia Haegens, a Brooklyn Open Streets organizer, supports the bill Saskia Haegens, a volunteer Open Streets organizer in Brooklyn, testified in support of legislation that further formalizes the program and makes it more accessible and flexible for running holiday activations.
Agenda
1 item
- Int 0257-2026 A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to special activation of the open streets program on certain holidays and time periods with significant pedestrian traffic Hearing Held by Committee