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{{Short description|Pedestrian path in Manhattan, New York}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2018}}
__NOTOC__{{attached KML|display=title}}
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[[File:Sixth and a Half Avenue Looking North from 51st Street.jpg|right|thumb|375px|{{frac|6|1|2}} Avenue looking north from 51st Street]]
[[File:Sixth and a Half Avenue Looking North from 51st Street.jpg|right|thumb|375px|{{frac|6|1|2}} Avenue looking north from 51st Street]]
[[File:Sixth and a Half Avenue and W 51 Street in Manhattan New York.jpg|right|thumb|200px|{{frac|6|1|2}} Avenue and West 51st Street in Manhattan]]
[[File:Sixth and a Half Avenue and W 51 Street in Manhattan New York.jpg|right|thumb|200px|{{frac|6|1|2}} Avenue and West 51st Street in Manhattan]]
[[File:Restaurant on 6.5 Av btw 54 & 53 Sts in 2021 jeh.jpg|thumb|Restaurant using the west half of the avenue]]
[[File:Restaurant on 6.5 Av btw 54 & 53 Sts in 2021 jeh.jpg|thumb|Restaurant using the west half of the avenue]]


'''6½ Avenue''' is a north-south [[Pedestrian malls in the United States|pedestrian passageway]]<ref name=observer-march>{{cite web|title=Meet Me on 6½th Avenue: DOT Planning Public Promenade Through Middle of Midtown Towers|url=http://observer.com/2012/03/meet-me-on-6%C2%BDth-avenue-dot-planning-public-promenade-through-middle-of-midtown-towers/|work=[[The New York Observer]]|access-date=July 30, 2012|date=March 26, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New York City Mulls '6 1/2 Avenue' Proposal, Linking Pedestrian Walkways In Midtown|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/03/30/new-york-city-mulls-6-12-avenue-proposal-linking-pedestrian-walkways-in-midtown/|publisher=[[CBS New York]]|access-date=July 31, 2012|date=March 30, 2012}}</ref> in [[Midtown Manhattan]], [[New York City]], running from [[51st Street (Manhattan)|West 51st]] to [[57th Street (Manhattan)|West 57th]] Streets between [[Sixth Avenue (Manhattan)|Sixth]] and [[Seventh Avenue (Manhattan)|Seventh]] Avenues.<ref>{{cite web|title=NYC DOT Announces Completion Of "6 ½ Avenue," Connecting Midtown Public Spaces With New, Safer Pedestrian Crossings|url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pr2012/pr12_44.shtml|publisher=[[New York City Department of Transportation]]|format=press release|date=September 6, 2012}}</ref>
'''6½ Avenue''' is a north-south [[Pedestrian malls in the United States|pedestrian passageway]]<ref name=observer-march>{{cite web|last=Chaban|first=Matt|title=Meet Me on 6½th Avenue: DOT Planning Public Promenade Through Middle of Midtown Towers|url=http://observer.com/2012/03/meet-me-on-6%C2%BDth-avenue-dot-planning-public-promenade-through-middle-of-midtown-towers/|work=[[The New York Observer]]|access-date=July 30, 2012|date=March 26, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New York City Mulls '6 1/2 Avenue' Proposal, Linking Pedestrian Walkways In Midtown|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/03/30/new-york-city-mulls-6-12-avenue-proposal-linking-pedestrian-walkways-in-midtown/|publisher=[[CBS New York]]|access-date=July 31, 2012|date=March 30, 2012}}</ref> in [[Midtown Manhattan]], [[New York City]], running from [[51st Street (Manhattan)|West 51st]] to [[57th Street (Manhattan)|West 57th]] Streets between [[Sixth Avenue (Manhattan)|Sixth]] and [[Seventh Avenue (Manhattan)|Seventh]] Avenues.<ref>{{cite web|title=NYC DOT Announces Completion Of "6 ½ Avenue," Connecting Midtown Public Spaces With New, Safer Pedestrian Crossings|url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pr2012/pr12_44.shtml|publisher=[[New York City Department of Transportation]]|format=press release|date=September 6, 2012}}</ref>


The pedestrian-only avenue is a {{convert|1/4|mi|m|spell=in}} corridor of [[privately owned public space]]s, such as open-access lobbies and canopied space,<ref name="nytimes"/> which are open during the day. The block between 54th and 55th Streets closed temporarily starting in 2020. There are stop signs and [[Stop sign#Stop Ahead signs|stop ahead signs]] at six crossings between 51st and 56th Streets. The mid-block crossing at 57th Street is equipped with a traffic light.<ref>[http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20111111/midtown/city-create-new-midblock-crossing-on-west-57th-street City to Create New Mid-Block Crossing on West 57th Street] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193430/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20111111/midtown/city-create-new-midblock-crossing-on-west-57th-street |date=October 29, 2013 }}, ''[[DNAinfo|DNAInfo.com]]'' (November 11, 2011). Accessed: July 30, 2012</ref> At the crosswalk areas, there are sidewalk pedestrian ramps with textured surface and [[Raised pavement marker#Delineator|flexible delineators]] to prevent vehicles parking in the areas.<ref>[http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/201203_midtown-mid-block_cb5_slides.pdf "Midtown Mid-Block Crossings"], [[New York City Department of Transportation]] (May 10, 2012). Accessed: July 12, 2012</ref>
The pedestrian-only avenue is a {{convert|1/4|mi|m|spell=in}} corridor of [[privately owned public space]]s, such as open-access lobbies and canopied space,<ref name="nytimes"/> which are open during the day. There are stop signs and [[Stop sign#Stop Ahead signs|stop ahead signs]] at six crossings between 51st and 56th Streets. The mid-block crossing at 57th Street is equipped with a traffic light.<ref>{{cite news |last=Colvin |first=Jill |url=http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20111111/midtown/city-create-new-midblock-crossing-on-west-57th-street |title=City to Create New Mid-Block Crossing on West 57th Street |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193430/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20111111/midtown/city-create-new-midblock-crossing-on-west-57th-street |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |work=[[DNAinfo|DNAInfo.com]] |date=November 11, 2011 |access-date=July 30, 2012}}</ref> At the crosswalk areas, there are sidewalk pedestrian ramps with textured surface and [[Raised pavement marker#Delineator|flexible delineators]] to prevent vehicles parking in the areas.<ref>[http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/201203_midtown-mid-block_cb5_slides.pdf "Midtown Mid-Block Crossings"], [[New York City Department of Transportation]] (May 10, 2012). Accessed: July 12, 2012</ref>


Each [[Intersection (road)|intersection]] along the thoroughfare has a [[street name sign]] that reads "{{frac|6|1|2}} AV" and the name of the cross street to officially mark the street name.<ref>[http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/13/officially-marking-a-new-manhattan-avenue/ "City Room: Officially Marking a New Manhattan Avenue"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' (July 13, 2012). Accessed: July 31, 2012</ref> The mid-block stop signs are unusual for Manhattan, and the fractional avenue name is a new idea for the [[Numbered street#New York City|numbered street system]] of New York City.<ref name="nytimes"/>
Each [[Intersection (road)|intersection]] along the thoroughfare has a [[street name sign]] that reads "{{frac|6|1|2}} AV" and the name of the cross street to officially mark the street name.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grynbaum |first1=Michael M. |last2=Flegenheimer |first2=Matt |url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/13/officially-marking-a-new-manhattan-avenue/ |title=City Room: Officially Marking a New Manhattan Avenue |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=July 13, 2012 |access-date=July 31, 2012}}</ref> The mid-block stop signs are unusual for Manhattan, and the fractional avenue name is a new idea for the [[Numbered street#New York City|numbered street system]] of New York City.<ref name="nytimes"/>


==History==
==History==
In 2011, the Friends of Privately Owned Public Spaces proposed the creation of a six-block pathway from 51st to 57th Streets that would be mid-block between Sixth and Seventh Avenues to ease pedestrian traffic. The proposal called for connecting [[public spaces]] in the area, that were not known to most pedestrians, into a pedestrian corridor and naming it [[Holly Whyte]] Way.<ref>{{cite web|title=Secret Midtown Passageways Seek More Exposure|url=http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20110427/midtown/secret-midtown-pedestrian-passageways-get-more-exposure-under-new-plan|website=DNAInfo.com|access-date=July 30, 2012|date=April 27, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717213639/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20110427/midtown/secret-midtown-pedestrian-passageways-get-more-exposure-under-new-plan|archive-date=July 17, 2012}}</ref> The idea was presented to the [[Manhattan Community Board 5|Community Board 5]] Transportation Committee and the full Community Board 5, then the board sent a formal request to the [[New York City Department of Transportation]] (NYCDOT) in May 2011.<ref name="observer-march"/>
In 2011, the Friends of Privately Owned Public Spaces proposed the creation of a six-block pathway from 51st to 57th Streets that would be mid-block between Sixth and Seventh Avenues to ease pedestrian traffic. The proposal called for connecting [[public spaces]] in the area, that were not known to most pedestrians, into a pedestrian corridor and naming it [[Holly Whyte]] Way.<ref>{{cite web|last=Colvin|first=Jill|title=Secret Midtown Passageways Seek More Exposure|url=http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20110427/midtown/secret-midtown-pedestrian-passageways-get-more-exposure-under-new-plan|website=DNAInfo.com|access-date=July 30, 2012|date=April 27, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717213639/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20110427/midtown/secret-midtown-pedestrian-passageways-get-more-exposure-under-new-plan|archive-date=July 17, 2012}}</ref> The idea was presented to the [[Manhattan Community Board 5|Community Board 5]] Transportation Committee and the full Community Board 5, then the board sent a formal request to the [[New York City Department of Transportation]] (NYCDOT) in May 2011.<ref name="observer-march"/>


In March 2012, NYCDOT announced the plan, with a list of improvements, to construct a new pedestrian-only avenue.<ref name="nytimes">[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/nyregion/for-midtown-manhattan-pedestrians-an-avenue-alternative.html "For Walkers, a Sixth-and-a-Half Ave. May Take Shape"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' (March 29, 2012). Accessed: July 30, 2012</ref> The Community Board 5 Transportation Committee unanimously voted in favor of a resolution to support the project as presented by NYCDOT on March 26, 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Mary|title=Avenue of Midtown Plazas Could Be Connected by the Summer|url=http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120327/midtown/avenue-of-midtown-plazas-may-be-created-by-fall-after-winning-support|access-date=January 11, 2015|work=DNAInfo|date=March 27, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111070349/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120327/midtown/avenue-of-midtown-plazas-may-be-created-by-fall-after-winning-support|archive-date=January 11, 2015}}</ref> The $60,000 project was completed in July 2012.<ref>[http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120712/midtown/new-crosswalks-connect-form-6-12-avenue-midtown "New Crosswalks Connect to Form '6 1/2 Avenue' in Midtown"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717043404/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120712/midtown/new-crosswalks-connect-form-6-12-avenue-midtown |date=July 17, 2012 }}, ''DNAInfo.com'' (July 12, 2012)</ref>
In March 2012, NYCDOT announced the plan, with a list of improvements, to construct a new pedestrian-only avenue.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |last=Flegenheimer |first=Matt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/nyregion/for-midtown-manhattan-pedestrians-an-avenue-alternative.html |title=For Walkers, a Sixth-and-a-Half Ave. May Take Shape |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 29, 2012 |access-date= July 30, 2012}}</ref> The Community Board 5 Transportation Committee unanimously voted in favor of a resolution to support the project as presented by NYCDOT on March 26, 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Mary|title=Avenue of Midtown Plazas Could Be Connected by the Summer|url=http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120327/midtown/avenue-of-midtown-plazas-may-be-created-by-fall-after-winning-support|access-date=January 11, 2015|work=DNAInfo|date=March 27, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111070349/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120327/midtown/avenue-of-midtown-plazas-may-be-created-by-fall-after-winning-support|archive-date=January 11, 2015}}</ref> The $60,000 project was completed in July 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Mary |url=http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120712/midtown/new-crosswalks-connect-form-6-12-avenue-midtown |title=New Crosswalks Connect to Form '6 1/2 Avenue' in Midtown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717043404/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120712/midtown/new-crosswalks-connect-form-6-12-avenue-midtown |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |work=DNAInfo.com |date=July 12, 2012}}</ref>


==Criticism==
==Criticism==
Some drivers have complained about the installation of the new stop signs, due to concerns about [[traffic jams]].<ref>Sutherland, Andrew. [https://nypost.com/2012/07/16/new-avenue-a-stopping-mall/ "New 'avenue' a stopping mall"], ''[[New York Post]]'' (July 16, 2012). Accessed: July 30, 2012</ref> Many drivers have also driven past the stop signs and the crosswalks without stopping, which could be a safety issue for [[pedestrians]].<ref>[http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/07/19/stop-signs-along-midtowns-6-12-avenue-catching-drivers-by-surprise/ "Stop Signs Along Midtown's 6 1/2 Avenue Catching Drivers By Surprise"], ''CBS New York'' (July 19, 2012). Accessed: July 30, 2012</ref>
Drivers often fail to obey the avenue's stop signs, which presents a public safety issue.<ref>[http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/07/19/stop-signs-along-midtowns-6-12-avenue-catching-drivers-by-surprise/ "Stop Signs Along Midtown's 6 1/2 Avenue Catching Drivers By Surprise"], ''CBS New York'' (July 19, 2012). Accessed: July 30, 2012</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 14:20, 14 November 2024

KML is from Wikidata
6+12 Avenue looking north from 51st Street
6+12 Avenue and West 51st Street in Manhattan
Restaurant using the west half of the avenue

6½ Avenue is a north-south pedestrian passageway[1][2] in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, running from West 51st to West 57th Streets between Sixth and Seventh Avenues.[3]

The pedestrian-only avenue is a one-quarter mile (400 m) corridor of privately owned public spaces, such as open-access lobbies and canopied space,[4] which are open during the day. There are stop signs and stop ahead signs at six crossings between 51st and 56th Streets. The mid-block crossing at 57th Street is equipped with a traffic light.[5] At the crosswalk areas, there are sidewalk pedestrian ramps with textured surface and flexible delineators to prevent vehicles parking in the areas.[6]

Each intersection along the thoroughfare has a street name sign that reads "6+12 AV" and the name of the cross street to officially mark the street name.[7] The mid-block stop signs are unusual for Manhattan, and the fractional avenue name is a new idea for the numbered street system of New York City.[4]

History

[edit]

In 2011, the Friends of Privately Owned Public Spaces proposed the creation of a six-block pathway from 51st to 57th Streets that would be mid-block between Sixth and Seventh Avenues to ease pedestrian traffic. The proposal called for connecting public spaces in the area, that were not known to most pedestrians, into a pedestrian corridor and naming it Holly Whyte Way.[8] The idea was presented to the Community Board 5 Transportation Committee and the full Community Board 5, then the board sent a formal request to the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) in May 2011.[1]

In March 2012, NYCDOT announced the plan, with a list of improvements, to construct a new pedestrian-only avenue.[4] The Community Board 5 Transportation Committee unanimously voted in favor of a resolution to support the project as presented by NYCDOT on March 26, 2012.[9] The $60,000 project was completed in July 2012.[10]

Criticism

[edit]

Drivers often fail to obey the avenue's stop signs, which presents a public safety issue.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Chaban, Matt (March 26, 2012). "Meet Me on 6½th Avenue: DOT Planning Public Promenade Through Middle of Midtown Towers". The New York Observer. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  2. ^ "New York City Mulls '6 1/2 Avenue' Proposal, Linking Pedestrian Walkways In Midtown". CBS New York. March 30, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  3. ^ "NYC DOT Announces Completion Of "6 ½ Avenue," Connecting Midtown Public Spaces With New, Safer Pedestrian Crossings" (press release). New York City Department of Transportation. September 6, 2012.
  4. ^ a b c Flegenheimer, Matt (March 29, 2012). "For Walkers, a Sixth-and-a-Half Ave. May Take Shape". The New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  5. ^ Colvin, Jill (November 11, 2011). "City to Create New Mid-Block Crossing on West 57th Street". DNAInfo.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  6. ^ "Midtown Mid-Block Crossings", New York City Department of Transportation (May 10, 2012). Accessed: July 12, 2012
  7. ^ Grynbaum, Michael M.; Flegenheimer, Matt (July 13, 2012). "City Room: Officially Marking a New Manhattan Avenue". The New York Times. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  8. ^ Colvin, Jill (April 27, 2011). "Secret Midtown Passageways Seek More Exposure". DNAInfo.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  9. ^ Johnson, Mary (March 27, 2012). "Avenue of Midtown Plazas Could Be Connected by the Summer". DNAInfo. Archived from the original on January 11, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  10. ^ Johnson, Mary (July 12, 2012). "New Crosswalks Connect to Form '6 1/2 Avenue' in Midtown". DNAInfo.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012.
  11. ^ "Stop Signs Along Midtown's 6 1/2 Avenue Catching Drivers By Surprise", CBS New York (July 19, 2012). Accessed: July 30, 2012
[edit]