The sidewalk on the West side of Columbus Avenue between 76th and 77th streets is getting a big makeover that’s been eight years in the making. New trees, benches, lighting and environmental features will transform the block, where a flea market is held every Sunday. The bulk of the project is expected to be completed next month.

The Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District has been raising money for the streetscape project through its New Taste of the Upper West Side food festival, which is now in its sixth year.

The Columbus Avenue BID sent us the following description and photo of the project:

“The entire block-front will soon feature five new tree beds with new trees in front of the fence and with benches interspersed; expanded tree beds at curbside with new tree guards to better protect the plants; in-ground solar lighting for enhanced safety and wayfinding capabilities; and a bioswale water conveyance system that will save water from being wasted and going into the sewers through filtration that reabsorbs it into the soil. Already in place on the street is a beautiful, wrapped Big Belly solar-compacting trash container on the southwest corner, which was sponsored by Shake Shack, the restaurant directly across the street on the northwest corner. It is the first of many that the BID hopes to install down the avenue, along with recycling containers.”