Pols Want Permanent Car Ban At Rockefeller Center

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Politicians that pushed Mayor Bill de Blasio to ban cars from the Rockefeller Center area this holiday season want the street safety measure implemented permanently, they said Wednesday.

Midtown City Councilmember Keith Powers and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer are setting up meetings with police and city transportation officials to discuss a permanent pedestrian-only plaza at Rockefeller Center, Brewer tweeted. The story was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

This holiday season's ban on cars from the area is set to be lifted on Jan. 12 when the Christmas tree is taken down.

Tourists and shoppers visiting Rockefeller Center for the holidays had much more room after city officials shut down West 49th and 50th streets between Fifth and Sixth avenues and eliminated a lane of vehicle traffic along four blocks along Fifth and Sixth avenues. Mayor Bill de Blasio initially waffled on the plan after it was leaked early, but later came around to implementing it.

"We found a good balance that will really focus on keeping people safe," de Blasio said during a December radio appearance to announce the policy.

The mayor told the Wall Street Journal that he's open to measures that will help ease congestion near Rockefeller Center, but not a permanent car ban.

While the safety measure was popular with many local elected officials in Manhattan, it did upset some transit officials. New York City Transit President Andy Byford voiced strong opposition to the plan because it forced buses in the area to skip stops and make detours.

Read the full Wall Street Journal article here.