Exploring NYC's colorful street signs: Green, brown, blue, black and honorary
New York City's Department of Transportation uses different-colored signs to identify historic districts, scenic landmarks, business improvement districts, and fallen first responders, providing valuable information for residents and visitors.
NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Have you ever noticed how some street signs in New York City are green while others are brown and some are blue?
For instance, Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan is marked by a blue sign, while uptown it might be brown. Similarly, Lexington Avenue in Midtown is blue but turns green in the 50s. This variation can be observed in many other parts of the city, each with unique significance.
These color-coded signs all serve a purpose. The NYC DOT designed them to provide valuable information or indicate a message, organization, or memorandum for residents and visitors alike.
Why are there different-colored signs in various parts of the city?
The colors are not randomly assigned; they hold significant historical and cultural meanings that reflect each area's unique character.
The color-coded signs all serve a purpose, according to the New York City Department of Transportation.
What do they mean?
Green
Green signs are the standard sign throughout the city, a spokesperson for the NYC DOT said.
Brown
Streets in Greenwich Village such as Greenwich Avenue, Christopher Street, and Bleecker Street are all brown. This color designation identifies these areas as historic districts and scenic landmarks.
“There are more than 38,000 landmark properties in New York City, most of which are located in 158 historic districts and historic district extensions in all five boroughs,” the Landmarks Preservation Commission's website said. “The total number of protected sites includes 1,464 individual landmarks, 123 interior landmarks, and 12 scenic landmarks.”
Blue
A street sign for East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan. (Photo by Matthew I. Euzarraga for PIX11 News)
Those working in Midtown Manhattan from 31st to 26th streets and on Park to Tenth avenues might be familiar with blue street signs with white lettering.
According to the DOT, the 34th Street and Grand Central Partnership business improvement districts all have blue signs.
Black
Like New Yorkers working in Midtown who are familiar with blue street signs, people working in Lower Manhattan might be familiar with its distinctive black street signs, such as those on Wall Street and Water Street.
The black street signs represent the Downtown Alliance business improvement district.
“The Downtown Alliance’s $20 million streetscape program gave lower Broadway a sophisticated look that is at once contemporary and classic,” a statement on the organization’s website said. “The old green-and-white street signs have been replaced with elegant black-and-white signs. These signs contain the street name and range of address numbers on each block and feature photo images representing iconic Lower Manhattan landmarks.”
Honorary or double-street signs
New Yorkers may also notice red and blue co-naming signs paired with a standard-color green street sign throughout the five boroughs.
In the Bronx, for example, under Boston Road, a red sign with white lettering reads "Emergency Medical Technician Yadira Arroyo EMS Station 26." These red street signs pay tribute to fallen FDNY members. A blue sign with a name indicates a fallen NYPD first responder, a spokesperson for the DOT said.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.