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Bloomberg To Unveil Plan To Shut Down Park Avenue

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Jun 16, 2008 2:25 pm US/Eastern

Bloomberg To Unveil Plan To Shut Down Park Avenue

Mayor To Announce Plan Monday Afternoon

To Shut Down 5 Miles Of Avenue For 3 Consecutive Saturdays In Summer

Reporting
Sean Hennessey

NEW YORK (CBS) ―

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As if traffic in the city weren't bad enough. Mayor Michael Bloomberg will unveil a plan Monday afternoon in which he proposes to shut down five miles of one of New York City's busiest streets on certain days this summer.

Bloomberg's plan will shut down Park Avenue to cars on certain Saturdays of the summer.

"It cuts down on traffic, gets people out and exercising and that's great," said Rachel Rodriguez.

According to a spokesperson for the mayor, the goal of the proposal is to give people a new place to run, walk or rollerblad.

"I'd probably go biking, rollerblading, any of them. That would be great. It would be unique I think," said NYC resident Loren Spindler.

On three Saturdays in August, the city will close five miles of city streets - from Center Street to East 72nd Street - first by way of Lafayette, 4th Avenue and then Park Avenue.

"During the summer it will be nice to walk the city, so it might be fun to take a look," said resident Garrent Leung.

But not everyone supports the Mayor's plan. A Park Avenue furniture business fears the lack of cars will mean a lack of customers.

"Most people are driving from New Jersey, Connecticut and different parts of the city so they come here and they're going to drive, most of them," said employee Mark Barbosa.

A neighborhood deli feels the same way.

"I mean you have no traffic. No customers, no tourists. I mean this is a big tourist area. People drop off over here. They come and get their breakfast, lunch and dinner," said Russel Soknenen.

The Park Avenue shutdown will kick off on August 9, and continue for the two following Saturdays. If successful, the closure may become a regular thing.

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