On Wednesday, March 30, I submitted testimony to the New York City Council’s Committee on Transportation regarding Intro 1109, legislation to authorize the New York City Department of Transportation to manage and regulate pedestrian plazas citywide. I am grateful to Council Members Garodnick and Johnson for their introduction of this legislation, as well as Council Members Lander, Rodriguez, Torres and Chin for their cosponsorship of the bill. I am also grateful to Manhattan Borough President Brewer, Community Board 5, and the Times Square Alliance for their collaboration in this effort. As the State Senator representing the Times Square area, as well as a number of smaller pedestrian plazas throughout my district, I fully support this legislation and encourage the Council to vote in its favor. Intro 1109 balances the need to preserve, enhance, and optimize our public spaces with the need to anticipate and appropriately plan for future street developments. Most importantly, this legislation will not infringe anyone’s First Amendment rights. Without such a regulatory framework, the very plazas meant to benefit surrounding communities become chaotic and burdensome. As pedestrian spaces proliferate throughout New York City, this legislation will give our city the flexibility it needs to make each pedestrian plaza true assets for their communities. Please see my full testimony here.