All sidewalk widenings provided pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be improved as sidewalks to Department of Transportation standards, shall be at the same level as the adjoining public sidewalks, and shall be accessible to the public at all times. The design provisions set forth in paragraph (f) of Section 37-53 (Design Standards for Pedestrian Circulation Spaces) shall apply, except as modified in this Section. All sidewalk widenings provided in accordance with the provisions of this Section shall constitute pedestrian circulation space, as required pursuant to Section 81-45 (Pedestrian Circulation Space).

(a)        Mandatory sidewalk widenings along Madison and Lexington Avenues

Developments or, where permitted, enlargements on qualifying sites with frontage along Madison and Lexington Avenues, shall provide mandatory sidewalk widenings as follows:

(1)        where such zoning lot occupies the entire block frontage, a sidewalk widening shall be provided to the extent necessary so that a minimum sidewalk width of 20 feet is achieved, including portions within and beyond the zoning lot. However, no sidewalk widening need exceed 10 feet, as measured perpendicular to the street line;

(2)        where such zoning lot does not occupy the entire block frontage, a sidewalk widening shall be provided where all existing buildings on the block frontage have provided such a widening. Such required widening shall match the amount of widened sidewalk provided on adjacent zoning lots, provided that no sidewalk widening need exceed 10 feet, as measured perpendicular to the street line.

(b)        Permitted sidewalk widenings

Sidewalk widenings may be provided, in accordance with the applicable size and design standards established in Section 37-50 (REQUIREMENTS FOR PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION SPACE), inclusive:

(1)        along narrow streets in the Grand Central Subarea, as shown on Map 2 (East Midtown Subdistrict and Subareas) in Appendix A of this Chapter, for developments or enlargements on zoning lots with a lot width of 100 feet or more, as measured along the street line of such narrow street; and

(2)        where a street wall, or portions thereof, is permitted to be located beyond the street line pursuant to the applicable provisions of Section 81-671 (Special street wall requirements).

(c)        Permitted obstructions

In the Grand Central Subarea, as shown on Map 2, awnings and canopies shall be permitted obstructions within a sidewalk widening provided that no structural posts or supports are located within any portion of the sidewalk or such widening.