New Episode of NYC DOT's Curb Enthusiasm Podcast Focuses on Pedestrianization of Times Square and Other Transformational Public Space Projects

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 29, 2025 Contact: (212) 839-4850, [email protected]

New Episode of NYC DOT's Curb Enthusiasm Podcast Focuses on Pedestrianization of Times Square and Other Transformational Public Space Projects

Andy Wiley-Schwartz, a Former Assistant Commissioner for Public Space at NYC DOT Discusses Innovative Projects That Revolutionized the Way New Yorkers Think About Our Streets

NEW YORK - New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the release of the 12th episode of the agency's Curb Enthusiasm podcast. The episode features Andy Wiley-Schwartz of Bloomberg Associates and a former assistant commissioner for public space at NYC DOT. The conversation focuses on Wiley-Schwartz's work overseeing the implementation of the Green Light for Midtown pedestrianization of Times Square, other major public space enhancements he spearheaded, and the great progress made by NYC DOT in public space over the decade since his time at the agency.

"Our streets are public space and I am proud of the work NYC DOT is doing to reimagine this space to benefit all New Yorkers. The latest episode of Curb Enthusiasm focuses on some of this important work, including the transformational project that pedestrianized Times Square," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "Andy Wiley-Schwartz helped pioneer public space projects in Times Square and in the Flatiron District that altered Manhattan's landscape, and his work also introduced many initiatives benefiting pedestrians and public space we are able to build upon today."

Wiley-Schwartz and the episode's co-hosts take a look back on the inception and challenges of the Green Light for Midtown (GLM) pedestrianization of Times Square, discuss how versatile Broadway has become over the past decade, and reflect on how NYC DOT achieved buy-in from business owners, the real estate industry, and other key stakeholders to achieve game-changing, world class public spaces.

About Curb Enthusiasm

The Curb Enthusiasm podcast focuses on issues at the local, national, and international level and features guests who discuss the most consequential transportation work happening all over the globe.

This episode is co-hosted by Emily Weidenhof, assistant commissioner of public realm at NYC DOT and David Breen, the director of strategic initiatives in the office of the Manhattan Borough Commissioner.

Curb Enthusiasm is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, BuzzSprout and other major streaming platforms. More information is available at nyc.gov/CurbEnthusiasm.

About Andy Wiley-Schwartz

Andy Wiley-Schwartz serves as a manager consultant at Bloomberg Associates, which he joined in 2014 and where he works with city governments to solve transportation and public space challenges by developing new policies, organizational designs, and strategic plans. He has helped cities such as Athens, Detroit, Los Angeles, Bogotá, Oakland, Milan and Mexico City to redevelop transportation infrastructure into public space by redesigning iconic thoroughfares, creating new public spaces, and implementing major road safety programs. Wiley-Schwartz has over 25 years of experience in the field.

Wiley-Schwartz served as an assistant commissioner for public space at NYC DOT from 2007-2014, where he led a seven-year effort to reposition the city's streets as public spaces including the launch of the NYC Plaza Program covering 60 plazas and creating over 26 acres of new public space. He managed the redesign of Times Square and negotiated the country's first public-private partnerships for on-street public space, a model now replicated around the world. Under his tutelage the agency also launched the CityBench, Weekend Walks, and Street Seats initiatives, all of which have become hallmarks of the agency and continue to grow. Wiley-Schwartz also co-authored the first-ever New York City Street Design Manual.

Prior to NYC DOT, Wiley-Schwartz was vice-president for transportation at Project for Public Spaces, where he led community-based planning and development projects around the country and wrote extensively on public spaces.

Wiley-Schwartz received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampshire College.

About Emily Weidenhof, Episode Co-Host

Emily Weidenhof is assistant commissioner of public realm at NYC DOT. Emily works closely with community organizations throughout the five boroughs to transform their streets as public space. For over a decade, she has focused on strengthening communities through the creation of plazas and shared streets and retooling the curb lane for innovative programming. She's also played an integral role in NYC DOT's Broadway Vision Plan, which employs a range of tools to reimagine the famed Manhattan corridor from Union Square to Columbus Circle, which now prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists. Emily has worked as an architect and urban designer in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, including at the NYC Department of City Planning.

Emily received her bachelor's degree in architecture from Pennsylvania State University and her master's degree in architecture and urban design from Columbia University.

About David Breen, Episode Co-Host

David Breen is the director of strategic initiatives at NYC DOT's Manhattan Borough Commissioner's Office where he represents the agency on major transportation infrastructure and development projects. Since joining DOT in 2013, David has held multiple positions across the agency including the deputy director of public space where he contributed to the advancement of Broadway Vision and other public realm improvement projects across all five boroughs. Prior to joining DOT, David spent a decade working in both public and private transportation planning sectors in the UK, with a particular emphasis on public realm, pedestrian, and bicycle infrastructure projects.

David received his master's degree in urban design from London's University of Westminster.