News & Events
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
[September 17, 2009] -- Anyone who's been in East Midtown in September when the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly is in session knows to expect motorcades, gridlocked traffic, and pedestrian detours. And here we go again.
The General Assembly began Tuesday, September 15, but General Debate -- when things get busy -- begins Tuesday, September 22. General Debate continues almost until the end of the General Assembly on Friday, October 2, but next week will be the focal point of activity.Although most disruptions will be centered in the southern part of the district (especially along East 49th Street and East 50th Street), the entire area - all of Midtown Manhattan, as a matter of fact - will be affected. Please use mass transit whenever possible.
Here is some information about the General Assembly and related activities to keep in mind next week. By planning ahead, you can save yourself a lot of time and aggravation.
STREET CLOSURES
Please note that all scheduled street closures are subject to change without advance notice. For obvious reasons, these scheduled closures do not include numerous expected closures for motorcades or police activities.
Monday, September 21 through Thursday, September 24
* East 49th Street and East 50th Street will be closed between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue (around the Waldorf=Astoria)
* East 50th Street will be subject to further intermittent closures between Lexington Avenue and First Avenue.
* Trucks and large vehicles will not be able to access Park Avenue or Lexington Avenue between East 48th Street and East 52nd Street
The following streets will have one traffic lane dedicated to emergency vehicles for the duration of the General Assembly:
42nd Street; between First Avenue and Sixth Avenue
57th Street, between Second Avenue and Sixth Avenue
Second Avenue, between East 42nd Street and East 57th Street
Tuesday, September 22: Closing at 5:00 AM
* First Avenue, between East 42nd Street and East 46th Street
* East 42nd Street, from the FDR Drive exit ramp to Second Avenue
* East 44th Street, East 45th Street, and East 46th Street, between First Avenue and Second Avenue
Truck Restrictions:
• No trucks on First Avenue
• Trucks may use the First Avenue underpass at the close of session
• All truck deliveries will be screened at the 44th Street checkpoint and escorted by the Traffic Division
Bus Restrictions:
• Buses will be rerouted from First Avenue
• Buses will be rerouted from East 42nd Street between First and Second avenues on session days
MOST ACTIVE DAYS
The most active days will be Tuesday, September 22 through Thursday, September 24. The Clinton Global Initiative will take place concurrent with the General Assembly, and run from Tuesday through Friday, September 25, at the Sheraton Hotel, 811 Seventh Avenue.
Tuesday, September 22: Events include UN Head of State Dinner
Wednesday, September 23: President Obama will address the assembly and host the Security Council Summit. Scheduled speakers that day also include Iranian president Ahmadinejad, Libyan leader al-Gaddafi, and Russian president Medvedev.
Wednesday evening: Over 130 country representatives are expected to attend the President's Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Clinton Global Initiative will also be hosting an event at the Museum of Modern Art, West 54th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues.
Thursday, September 24: Speakers include the heads of state from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Venezuela. On Thursday, the Clinton Global Initiative will also hold its Citizens Award Reception at the Sheraton.
Friday, September 25: General Assembly speakers include Palestinian and Pakistani leaders.
SCHEDULED DEMONSTRATIONS
Demonstrations take place in Dag Hammarskjold Park, on East 47th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue. The following dates and anticipated crowd estimates have been provided:
Saturday, September 19: 1,000 people
Wednesday, September 23: 16,000 people
Thursday, September 24: 10,000 people
Friday, September 26: 1,600 people
If further information becomes available, we'll be sure to pass it on.