sebthedev.com
New Yorker. Product manager on Google Maps. Secretary and Board Member of Manhattan Community Board 8. All posts are in my personal capacity. www.sebthedev.com
🗽🐯🇳🇿🔰
70 posts
123 followers
343 following
Regular Contributor
Active Commenter
comment in response to
post
So pleased to see @alexbores.bsky.social supporting this bill. Looking forward to making AD73 and all of our city safer for pedestrians.
www.nysenate.gov/legislation/...
comment in response to
post
I’ve called my local lawmakers to tell them how happy I am with the start of congestion pricing.
I know I’m not going to solve all of America’s problems.
But targeted donations and uplifting my neighborhood/city feels a whole lot more productive and powerful than any amount of doomscrolling. 🗽
comment in response to
post
Being involved with local community organizations feels super empowering.
Last week I worked with fellow community board members to pass resolutions supporting converting manufacturing land into new homes, upgrading Central Park’s drives, and improving resident access for the Roosevelt Island Tram.
comment in response to
post
Yesterday I set up a recurring donation to @aclu.org. They have a track record of litigating to safeguard civil rights I value, and donating helps them keep up the good work.
I also donate to @opennewyork.org, @transalt.org, and @ridersalliance.org — who work locally on issues I care about. 💸
comment in response to
post
Of course, we’ll have to wait and see how the delivery of these changes actually pans out.
But on paper, these sound like reasonable improvements to improve safety (both perceived and real), and address concerns about fare evasion.
Full details here: www.governor.ny.gov/news/governo...
comment in response to
post
It’s huge! Here’s some more details on how vital transit is to New York — it’s so popular that NYC literally couldn’t function without our trains, buses, and ferries: www.sidewalkchorus.com/p/transit-is...
comment in response to
post
In NYC, 90% of people commute to work by transit. Reducing congestion immediately makes buses faster for everyone, and raises money for long-term subway improvements.
comment in response to
post
Here’s the piece I wrote about New York’s environmental review process: www.sidewalkchorus.com/p/environmen...
comment in response to
post
If you’d like to learn more, come to our community board meeting this evening (or watch the YouTube livestream/replay): www.cb8m.com/event/29360/
[As always, my posts on this topic are my personal opinion and do not necessarily reflect the official position of CB8.]
comment in response to
post
Unfortunately, this process — especially the environmental review stage — is very slow. Just legalizing housing in these 13 blocks will probably take several years. But we will persevere!
www.sidewalkchorus.com/p/environmen...
comment in response to
post
If DCP is supportive, well then have to initiate an environmental review and ULURP land use review process.
I’ve written about this process recently: www.sidewalkchorus.com/p/upzoning
comment in response to
post
I’ve been helping out on the task force. It’s been great to see neighbors coming together to find ways to make it possible to build more homes, and reduce the cost of living in New York.
If the full board endorses the task force’s proposal, we’ll then send it to the Department of City Planning.
comment in response to
post
I’m looking forward to how congestion pricing will make my bus trips faster and fund the installation of elevators at my local subway station.
comment in response to
post
Great to see you officially in the race! I’ve donated!
I’m so grateful for your steadfast advocacy on building more homes, and would love to see you as NYC’s comptroller.
comment in response to
post
Such a good point! These procedural requirements force projects that are already good for the environment to incur huge costs and delays, without obviously generating any additional environmental benefits.
I wrote about NY’s flawed laws here: www.sidewalkchorus.com/p/environmen...
comment in response to
post
Congratulations, Ben! Looking forward to continuing to work with you and the @transalt.org team.
comment in response to
post
Here’s a piece I wrote earlier in the year, setting out my interpretation of the Abundance Agenda: www.sidewalkchorus.com/p/abundance-...
comment in response to
post
Also, great to see @keithpowersnyc.bsky.social over on Threads being so clear about the need to build more homes. He’s running for the office of Manhattan Borough President.
comment in response to
post
(Of course, it would be great if Woodbury had apartments on top of those shops, but that’ll have to be a different thread!) 🌆
comment in response to
post
The formula is simple: design spaces for people, not cars, and watch businesses thrive. Woodbury Commons nailed it, and NYC could too. Let’s stop half-measures and go all in. Let’s build places we actually want to be.
comment in response to
post
Beyond economics, it’s about quality of life. Walkable spaces make shopping fun, social, and stress-free. The air is cleaner. It’s quieter. You feel comfortable—not dodging traffic while holding shopping bags.
comment in response to
post
Pedestrianization is pro-people and pro-business. Woodbury Commons shows people WANT to shop in places designed for them, not cars. Imagine the economic impact of turning NYC’s best retail districts into people-first spaces.
comment in response to
post
We’ve dabbled with this. Fifth Ave is pedestrianized for a couple of days around the December holidays. And it’s hugely popular! But event the latest draft renderings for the “Future of Fifth” still fall short of full pedestrianization.
comment in response to
post
NYC has areas that could emulate this magic of pedestrianized commercial corridors: SoHo, Meatpacking, Fifth Ave.
But we stop short of permanent pedestrianization, clinging to car access. Why? These areas already draw crowds—just imagine the potential with fully car-free streets!
comment in response to
post
Of course, Woodbury has little housing near it, and most shoppers either drive their own car or take a bus. There’s lots of parking around the exterior of the shopping area.
comment in response to
post
The interior of Woodbury Commons is fully walkable. No cars. Wide streets, lots of seating, attractive design.
The result? A thriving retail environment where people shop, linger, and enjoy their time. It’s packed, even with yesterday’s below-freezing temperatures!