Redesign would transform Park Avenue between East 46th Street and East 57th Street, making it safer, greener and more welcoming
City to host public workshops for New Yorkers to learn more and provide feedback
New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today unveiled design concepts to put the ‘park’ back in Park Avenue, reimagining a key stretch of Midtown Manhattan as a greener, safer and more people-centered corridor.
The proposed redesign would expand the avenue’s median, add pedestrian enhancements, seating and landscaping, and explore potential bike lanes and innovative streetscape amenities. The project area sits directly above the Grand Central Terminal train shed, which is undergoing a major capital rehabilitation by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)’s Metro-North Railroad.
As the MTA replaces and waterproofs the structure below, the City is advancing a parallel effort to transform the avenue above — aligning infrastructure renewal with a broader vision for public space shaped by community input.
“With this new redesign, we are putting the ‘Park’ back into Park Avenue and upgrading Midtown Manhattan by providing residents and visitors alike with more usable public space,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Our city’s public spaces must better serve the public, and my administration has made this a priority through bold infrastructure investments and street redesigns. Working together with our partners across the City and State, we will ensure that New York City’s streets are the envy of the world.”
“The Park Avenue redesign will make Midtown Manhattan safer, greener and more welcoming for pedestrians,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “By upgrading the medians and seating, Park Avenue will finally, truly belong to the public. The Mamdani Administration will keep pushing to make our streets safer and more accessible for all New Yorkers."
“Whether you’re walking, biking or just looking for a place to sit and take a break, this project is about making Park Avenue work better for you” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “We’re turning underused space into something welcoming, functional and vibrant for the people who live, work and spend time on this iconic street.”
The proposal covers 11 blocks from 46th Street to 57th Street. It would remove one travel lane in each direction, allowing medians to expand and accommodate seating, plantings and other pedestrian and cycling amenities. New crosswalks would connect the medians along the corridor.
The design aims to balance the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. Potential bike improvements are being studied in coordination with the City’s broader bike network. A typical median could include planting areas, a north-south bike lane and a pedestrian pathway.
The concepts were developed through extensive community engagement, including a public survey, stakeholder interviews, workshops and meetings with community boards and local organizations.
The train shed rehabilitation is part of the MTA’s 2025–2029 capital plan. The agency is coordinating construction with nearby development projects in East Midtown.
Upcoming Outreach
NYC DOT will host public events to gather feedback:
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
12-2 p.m.
- Lever House (54th Street & Park Avenue)
- 425 Park Avenue (56th Street & Park Avenue)
5-7 p.m. (Rain date is Thursday, April 30 from 5-7 p.m.)
- Lever House (54th Street & Park Avenue)
- 277 Park Ave (47th Street & Park Avenue)
Saturday, May 2, 2026
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- St. Bartholomew’s Church (50th Street & Park Avenue)
Community Board Meetings
- Manhattan Community Board 6: May 4, 2026, 7 p.m. (virtual)
- Manhattan Community Board 5: May 28, 2026 (details forthcoming)
The planning process is funded through the East Midtown Governing Group, created as part of the 2017 Greater East Midtown rezoning, which requires new commercial developments to contribute to nearby public realm improvements.
Community and business leaders echoed support for expanded public space, citing the benefits of wider medians, improved access and a more people-focused streetscape.
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