Season 7 - Week 21
School’s back in session…
And we’re entering early fall with the wind behind our back, after our busiest summer yet. This last weekend was a nice cap-off, with Brasil Fest, The Rolling Library’s Free Book Fair, Team AOC’s Back to School event, and other entirely free programming bringing throngs of people to the street. If you stopped by, we were glad to have you :)
But switching topics ever so slightly… you may be noticing some changes east of Steinway at the moment. That’s because Phase II of the 31st Ave bike boulevard project is underway. Our lovely low-traffic corridor is headed towards Woodside, featuring a one-way traffic conversion, a two-way bike lane and lots of ‘daylighting’ (or better intersection visibility) all the way down to 51st Street. The car traffic direction will flip at Steinway and then again further down the Avenue; again, this is to deter 'thru traffic' or drivers who use residential streets as shortcuts, encouraging local access and calmer thoroughfares instead.
For all the details, take a look at NYCDOT’s project specs, which came from the future of 31st Ave workshops we co-hosted alongside then-Assembly Member Mamdani, who signed off on the extension as mayor. We love to see advocacy turn into action.
But what we’re really excited about is the cycling-centric traffic diverter at 43rd Street. The first-in-the-city design will make this dangerous, five-point intersection far safer for all road users, especially those headed to all the schools nearby. Right now, it’s mostly cones and new stop signs, but we can’t wait to see it in full effect.
In the meantime, we’re taking public suggestions for what we want to put in the middle of the roundabout. Any ideas?
Now, onto the news…
The Clips
Mmmmmm, new IBX renderings. (Gothamist)
Ooooooooh, new School Street ‘gate’ in Tribeca. (Brooklyn Eagle)
Ahhhhhhhh, new ‘low-traffic neighborhood’ coming to Greenpoint. (Streetsblog)
Weekend Plans
SATURDAY
Western Queens Food Co-op: buying club sign-ups: 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
MTG Astoria: Cube Draft: 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Goods for Gaza: 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM
NYC for Palestine Cycling Club: 12:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Plant Swap and Compost Giveaway: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Indivisible Western Queens: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Astoria Fig Fest: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
No More 24: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Craft Circle with Astoria Fiber Collective: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
STARS Rehabilitation Astoria: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
NYC Trivia League: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
SUNDAY
The People's Pop-Up Cafe: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Astoria Farmers Market: 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Goods for Gaza: 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Sweets & Spells Rolling Apothecary: 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM
HopeWorld Tees/Quilt for Palestine: 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Indivisible Western Queens: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Queens Rugby Club Women's+: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Queens Shut It Down Tabling & MECA Fundraising: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
For more information and the most up to date schedule, including with weather cancellations, see our events page.
Upcoming Markets
9/19 - Queens Women United Market
9/27 - Astoria Farmers Market
10/4 - 4th Annual Mystic Mega Market
10/11 - Astoria Farmers Market
10/17 - NY LGBT Network Coming Out Street Fair Market
If you’re interested in selling on the Open Street, read our FAQs first here to learn more.
Support the Open Street
It takes a lot to run the 31st Ave Open Street, such as renting storage space, paying for insurance, or buying supplies like extra chairs, sidewalk chalk, and trash bags to keep our street clean.
We list a few of the materials that we are in frequent need of on our donation page. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we also take tax-deductible donations via our Givebutter campaign for those who would like to contribute financially.
Every bit helps and we appreciate your support in making 31st Ave a better place for all! Thank you!
Join Your Neighbors!
All are welcome and no prior experience is required
Drop by 31OS this weekend to talk with the 31OS crew to learn more about Setup, Tabling, or Breakdown shifts along with all the other ways people get involved!
The most help is needed 12pm-1pm and 7pm-8pm but shifts are available all day for anyone interested in keeping an eye on things, meeting neighbors, and talking with members of the community who may have questions.
Signing up is also not required! Dropping by the volunteer table anytime is the best way to find out what is happening.
For more info on the types of shifts, or to see what sign-ups are available, check out our Volunteer page.
If you want to help, but can’t make it to the street in person, there are lots of other tasks and projects we’re working on throughout the week. Fill out our Volunteer Interest Form to share what you like to do and we’ll reach out if we have something!
Stay Connected
Want to stay in touch with 31OS and your neighbors even when the Open Street isn’t active?
Send us an email! Address is available on our homepage, 31OS.org
Share Your Feedback
We strive to make the Open Street a pleasant experience for all, so if you have any feedback that you’d like to share with the volunteers we’d love to hear it! Our Feedback form is available 24/7 for members of the community to send their thoughts directly to our team.
