NYC’s Original and Altered Streets Available in One Place via City Planning’s “NYC Street Map” Tool - DCP

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For Immediate Release

October 12, 2023

Contacts:

Casey Berkovitz, Joe Marvilli – press@planning.nyc.gov (212) 720-3471

For the First Time, Historical Record of NYC’s Original and Altered Streets Available in One Place via City Planning’s “NYC Street Map” Tool

Updated map version adds details of original NYC streets – not just alterations – from documents dating back to the early 20th century

NYC Street Map tool provides helpful data to New Yorkers on the size, shape, and angle of their street, making it easier for them to access this info and pursue changes to their property

NEW YORK – Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick today announced that the NYC Street Map now includes the comprehensive mapping and history of New York City streets, including their width, angles, and more. For the first time, this interactive tool includes the streets as originally mapped, in some cases in the early 20th century, building on previous versions of the NYC Street Map tool that included only alterations to the city map. The total history of New York City’s more than 32,000 streets is now a click away for New Yorkers aiming to request a change to their street, pursue changes to their property, or find out more about the history of New York.

“Word on the street is that this update will give the public all they need to know about New York City’s roads, avenues, boulevards, and corridors. As we work to streamline housing and job development and make our city greener, this tool will help those looking to make changes to their property save time and money by making this info readily available. It’s a great example of how we’re increasing transparency and putting data at New Yorkers’ fingertips,” said Dan Garodnick, Department of City Planning Director and Chair of the City Planning Commission.

“The NYC Street Map tool is an exciting and innovative example of how the city government is leveraging technology to unlock potential for businesses, real estate developers, and curious citizens alike,” said New York City Economic Development (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “With a comprehensive history of New York City available at a click of button, New Yorkers across the five boroughs can play an active role in civic participation continuing to make New York City a great place to live, work, play, and learn.”

“Whether you’re a New York history nerd or a property owner on the verge of making renovations, the NYC Street Map is an incredible resource. In preserving the history of our city’s streets and making their technical details available at the click of the button, the Map has endless uses,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “Mapping this comprehensive is not an easy feat, so I’m grateful to DCP for creating such a robust tool for public use.”

"I am excited to see DCP announce a brand new NYC Street Map for New Yorkers across the City to utilize. This will provide immense help to our densely populated communities for future planning, maximize space for homeowners and small businesses, and help us all visualize how we can make our streets safer. I look forward to using it myself when solving local issues in Council District 18,” said Council Member Amanda Farías.

“The Department of City Planning's update to the NYC Street Map is a triumph of historical preservation and accessibility. By including the original mapping and rich history of New York City streets, this interactive tool empowers New Yorkers with a deeper connection to our city's vibrant past. DCP’s update to NYC Street Map will also be a useful tool for New Yorkers to gather important data about streets, making it easier than ever to plan for alternations and changes to their properties,” said Council Member James Gennaro.

For New Yorkers looking to renovate their property, this NYC Street Map update will provide all the information they might need to navigate a requested change. A family-run restaurant looking to add outdoor dining can now plan around the width of the street, for example, or a homeowner on the corner of two blocks can easily learn the specific angles of that intersection in order to make changes to their yard.

Users can view technical schematics for any street in the city by clicking on the street grid square, which will bring up options to view the historic map from when the road was originally documented as well as any alterations that have taken place. Some of these street maps go back to the start of the 20th century, with the oldest document dating from the turn of the last century.

In addition to this data, which combines more than 8,000 paper map documents maintained by DCP, the NYC Street Map provides New Yorkers easy-to-find information about the streets near their homes. This tool contains every street map DCP has under its purview, covering nearly all city blocks. For the few blocks where we do not have more thorough details available, we are working with the Borough President’s office to fill in the gaps in the near future.

Also available on mobile devices, NYC Street Map also allows New Yorkers to:

Find streets, corners and public areas named to honor notable individuals such as 9/11 victims and first responders or recognized community members.

These ceremonial name spaces are displayed in purple and include a link to the City Council report enacting the place name.

Find the City’s 56 public “step streets,” where staircases replace roadbeds and sidewalks. (The Bronx has the most with 42.)

Find streets that have been converted to another use, such as parkland for example. (Until 1962, Fifth Avenue ran through Washington Square Park.)

See that Battery Park City was built in the 1970s (on landfill from excavation for construction of the World Trade Center).

See when a street was mapped or built, including historical images and data reaching as far back as 1924.

View streets that are private or unmapped, and find out if a building is on a mapped street that has not been built.

See if your home or business is in a federally-designated flood zone.

Department of City Planning

The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the City through ground-up planning with communities, the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide, and its contribution to the preparation of the City’s 10-year Capital Strategy. DCP promotes housing production and affordability, fosters economic development and coordinated investments in infrastructure and services, and supports resilient, sustainable communities across the five boroughs for a more equitable New York City.

In addition, DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of approximately 450 land use applications for a variety of discretionary approvals. The Department also assists both government agencies and the public by advising on strategic and capital planning and providing policy analysis, technical assistance and data relating to housing, transportation, community facilities, demography, zoning, urban design, waterfront areas and public open space.