Welcome to our Clarkson Street project page, where we're providing real-time updates on our community-centered street design process.

In 2025, Open Plans received a competitive $100,000 Community Placemaking Grant from Project for Public Spaces to help support City-As-School’s open street and create a more vibrant, safer public space for students on Clarkson Street and the community-at-large. City-As-School/M721 are co-located public schools (City-As is a transfer high school and M721 is a D75 technical school) that don’t have a gym, playground, or space for their students to play and socialize.

Throughout the summer, Open Plans is leading engagement with the school community, meeting with hundreds of students, educators, administrators, community board members, and businesses to understand the needs of every local stakeholder. This engagement will help inform Open Plans’ work on Clarkson Street and how we approach this project to create a people-centered street for City-As-School/M721.

For more information on our School Streets campaign, click here.

OPEN PLANS AT CITY-AS SCHOOL

Clarkson Street Project

OPEN PLANS AT CITY-AS SCHOOL

Clarkson Street Project

Welcome to our Clarkson Street project page, where we're providing real-time updates on our community-centered street design process.

In 2025, Open Plans received a competitive $100,000 Community Placemaking Grant from Project for Public Spaces to help support City-As-School’s open street and create a more vibrant, safer public space for students on Clarkson Street and the community-at-large. City-As-School/M721 are co-located public schools (City-As is a transfer high school and M721 is a D75 technical school) that don’t have a gym, playground, or space for their students to play and socialize.

Throughout the summer, Open Plans is leading engagement with the school community, meeting with hundreds of students, educators, administrators, community board members, and businesses to understand the needs of every local stakeholder. This engagement will help inform Open Plans’ work on Clarkson Street and how we approach this project to create a people-centered street for City-As-School/M721.

For more information on our School Streets campaign, click here.

SURVEY

We'd love to hear your thoughts!

If you live, work, play, or walk through Clarkson Street, share your thoughts

Project Timeline

Follow our progress as we transform Clarkson Street into a safer, more welcoming space for students and the community.

Past and upcoming Public Engagement Activities

Public engagement is a core value of our work! To date, we’ve hosted workshops within classrooms and libraries and cafeterias at City-As School and M721; sat in the teacher’s lounge with donuts and conversations about needs; hosted block parties with pop up engagement activities (and pizza); had meaningful conversations with elected officials, businesses, Hudson Square BID, the DOT, Manhattan Community Board 2; and have an ongoing survey. If you’re interested in attending an upcoming engagement session, please feel free to reach out here.

Community Voices

Survey responses from the Clarkson Street school community

Have questions?

Have questions about our work or want to get involved? We'd love to hear from you.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Description text goes here

  • Description text goes here

  • Description text goes here
 

Have questions?

Have questions about our work or want to get involved? We'd love to hear from you.

To learn more about the Open Streets Full Closure: Schools program of the New York City Department of Transportation, please visit NYC Open Streets.

This initiative allows streets to be temporarily closed to vehicles near schools, creating safe spaces for drop-off and pick-up, outdoor learning and recess. The website provides details on eligibility, program requirements, and the application process.

Interested in applying or need assistance with your application? Please contact Sabina Sethi Unni at sabina@openplans.org.

More on School Streets
Clarkson School Street Project
Clarkson School Street Project

We’re teaming up with the Clarkson Street school community, Project for Public Spaces and NYCDOT to turn their street into a vibrant, safe space for connection and play.

Alliance for Public Space Leadership
Alliance for Public Space Leadership

Open Plans leads a network of diverse organizations and experts, from street vendors to park and disability advocates, focused on creating equitable, accessible public spaces citywide. Our alliance amplifies community needs and collaborates with decision makers on sustainable solutions for the future.

Managing Public Space for Equity, Safety & Joy
Managing Public Space for Equity, Safety & Joy

We're reimagining the future of New York City's public realm with a framework where well-managed public spaces are the norm, not the exception.