Most Village Sidewalks Too Narrow For Social Distancing: Study

GREENWICH VILLAGE, MANHATTAN — In likely no surprise to those that live there, a new map reveals that almost no streets in Greenwich Village have sidewalks wide enough to follow social-distancing guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic.

The map — created by urban planner Meli Harvey with city data about the width of sidewalks — lights up most of Greenwich Village in shades of red, orange and yellow, indicating that their sidewalks are either too narrow or difficult for social distancing. Social distancing asks people to stay at least six feet apart to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Green and blue spots, which indicate at least 14 feet of space, are far and few between.

In fact, Patch's own analysis of the map found that only 12 of the 51 streets mapped in the Village had more than one block with a sidewalk wide enough for social distancing. 32 of the streets had no green or blue spots.

The map is among several analyses of space in New York City that advocates say show city officials should open streets to pedestrians during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Another analysis of sidewalk widths published by Transportation Alternatives found that the lack of proper social distancing space isn't unique to the Greenwich Village.

98 percent of sidewalks across the city were narrower than the 20-foot ideal for social distancing, with 74 percent falling below the bare minimum of 13 feet, the study found.

Civil engineering student Leila Hawa, who led the analysis, explained that at least 13 feet of space ensures that New Yorkers wouldn't be hugging the curb or a building in order to stay six feet away from one another. It also accounts for common obstacles that may make sidewalks narrower in some places than their general width.

“In New York, there’s trees, there’s trash, there’s a lot of things in your way,” explains Leila. “The sidewalk space that you’re actually walking on is pretty different than the width from a building to the curb.”

Advocacy groups and elected officials have been calling on Mayor Bill de Blasio to close certain streets to cars for weeks. The mayor recently scuttled his own pilot program to do so, citing enforcement problems and objections from the NYPD.

Even City Council has looked to sidestep the mayor's resistance to opening streets with a bill introduced Thursday that aims to open 75 miles of streets to pedestrians and cyclists during pandemic.

Other proposals have suggested opening 16 streets on Manhattan's west side and opening up Broadway from Union Square to Central Park.

A specific proposal for Greenwich Village is likely not far behind.

Community Board 2's Traffic and Transportation Committee is scheduled to compile a list of "proposed streets with priority for safe pedestrian space" at its meeting Monday.

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