Flatiron group looks to spiff up East 23rd Street

Adding free wi-fi, bike racks in bid to attract high-end tenants to the area

East 23rd Street between Madison and Park avenues
East 23rd Street between Madison and Park avenues

The Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership is launching free public wireless network projects in an effort to draw high-profile tenants to East 23rd Street between Third and Sixth avenues.

Related Companies’ One Madison is slated for completion by the spring, which would result in the removal of scaffolding that currently covers the stretch. But there are at least six ground-floor vacancies in that stretch that the Business Improvement District is campaigning to fill soon.

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In addition to public WiFi, the Business Improvement District intends to spend a $575,000 city grant for a one-to-one lighting replacement. The community boards are in the process of reviewing the citywide lighting program. East 23rd Street has also received planting trees, city benches, bike racks and hanging baskets in recent months. [NYO]Mark Maurer