STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Planning is underway for the 2026 Summer Streets event on Forest Avenue as city officials, business owners and neighborhood groups begin early conversations about the return of last summer’s controversial street closure. And while discussions continue in West Brighton, Port Richmond voices are raising a pointed counter-argument—saying the success or failure of a street closure event comes down to leadership, communication and coordination, not the concept itself.
Scottie Lopez of Café Con Pan bakery and restaurant said Port Richmond would welcome a Summer Streets‑style event if organizers give merchants adequate time and support.
“I believe an event like that would be a great idea, as it allows the Port Richmond area an opportunity to showcase all the wonderful businesses that call it home,” Lopez said. “We’ve had street closures on Port Richmond Avenue in the past—for the Mexican Independence Day parade and for a Summer Streets event—and they went off without a hitch. The only thing I would suggest is that they give us ample time to prepare.”
Businesses on the portion of Port Richmond Avenue closest to Forest Avenue, however, remain apprehensive. Mike Burke of Denino’s, for one, recalled past parade‑related closures and said access issues can be devastating.
“My problem is that whenever they close the street for a parade like Our Lady of Guadalupe the whole avenue shuts down and no one can get near us,” he said. “You could close one block, but you can’t close all of Port Richmond Avenue. That would be insane.”
He added that delivery platforms would effectively shut down for any restaurant affected by a full street closure. Whether on Forest Avenue or Port Richmond Avenue, his hope is that planners show sensitivity to the nuances of how restaurants operate.
“What nobody is talking about is DoorDash and Uber Eats,” he said. “If we didn’t know about a closure ahead of time, we’d have to shut down every delivery platform. The drivers won’t park and walk in. They’ll take the order, never pick it up, and we’ll be stuck making the food and getting charged for it while the customer never gets it. We’d lose thousands of dollars just in deliveries alone.”
If an event must happen, he said, “Use the [St. Roch’s] church parking lot or close a single block—not the whole avenue. Use the park. Don’t close the whole street. That would kill us.”
At Port Richmond’s Café Con Pan, staff display tres leches and other festive cakes crafted for celebrations. The bakery says it would welcome a street‑festival atmosphere.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)Port Richmond’s example: ‘It works when you actually talk to every business’
While Forest Avenue continues debating last year’s disruptions, Mario Buonviaggio of the Port Richmond North Shore Alliance offers a contrasting view — one that places responsibility on local planning and merchant engagement rather than on the Department of Transportation alone.
Buonviaggio helped coordinate two DOT‑supported street closures on Port Richmond Avenue and argues they succeeded because organizers personally engaged every merchant and adjusted plans accordingly.
“All the businesses want it, and they welcome it when it’s done right,” he said. “We make sure all businesses are on board and benefit from it. You need the energy and ambition to do it, and you have to work closely with every business and respect their wishes and concerns.”
He said the team refined logistics after the first year, resulting in a smooth and well‑attended second season.
“Our greatest reward is seeing the community and the kids all running around freely on a normally congested street,” Buonviaggio said. “In the economic sense, this benefits both business and community. After all, it’s the community that keeps these small businesses open.”
Buonviaggio said the Port Richmond North Shore Alliance hopes to participate again this year, crediting DOT as “a great friend to the community.” While he didn’t comment directly on the Forest Avenue rollout, his remarks underscored what he sees as the deciding factor: leadership that mobilizes merchants, listens to concerns and builds an event around their needs.
Country Mouse, a children’s boutique on Forest Avenue, brings vibrancy to the streetscape. The shop benefits from steady pedestrian traffic and its reputation as a destination for well‑curated kids’ clothing. Owners take pride in their handsome window dressings, which add charm and visual appeal to the corridor.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)Forest Avenue’s concerns persist
As previously reported by the Advance/SILive.com, the Department of Transportation has yet to release details for this year’s Forest Avenue event. Last year’s closure — spanning Bard Avenue to Clove Road — drew mixed reviews. Businesses including Pastosa Ravioli, The Staaten and several medical offices, bakeries and restaurants said customers struggled to reach storefronts and parking lots during one of the corridor’s busiest commercial days.
Neil J. Anastasio, president of the Forest Regional Residents’ Civic Association, called Open Streets “a great concept,” but said any location chosen must account for traffic flow, commercial access and the unique challenges of Forest Avenue.
Forest Avenue BID board member Gary LiGreci said he recently met with DOT and reiterated his opposition to another full closure on last year’s stretch. He suggested relocating Summer Streets to Martling Avenue or the Staten Island Zoo, where programming would not disrupt commercial corridors. The tentative date for 2026 remains July 25, though it has not been confirmed.
Nina Flores, executive director of the Forest Avenue BID, emphasized that Summer Streets is a DOT‑run initiative — not a BID‑led event — and said the BID continues urging DOT to consider operational needs, visibility and economic impact on merchants.
A spokesperson for Council Majority Whip Kamillah M. Hanks said the office was not consulted prior to last year’s closure and stressed the need for better coordination with both businesses and residents.
DOT said it plans to meet monthly with stakeholders and broaden outreach efforts for the 2026 installment.