Something is happening at Hancock Place. The exact spot that I suggested should be turned into a greatly expanded sidewalk is filled with construction equipment, as seen above. It’s unclear what is happening there. A city project planned to be completed in November lists work at this spot, but about the work to be done, it says only, “Expand multi-use areas of the existing Lenox Hill Senior Center.” Something about this description seems to not make sense. 
First, the map lists the location of work as including Manhattan Avenue from 120th to 124th Streets, a seemingly long stretch of work to expand a senior center. Secondly, Lenox Hill is on the Upper East Side, miles away from West Harlem. The Lenox Hill Neigborhood House Senior Center is located on East 70th Street. Perhaps the website is wrong. Perhaps there is another Lenox Hill Senior Center in West Harlem. Whatever the case, it is impossible to know whether the work crew at Hancock Place is building a great new pedestrian plaza or simply using the overly wide street as a staging area. Time will tell. In the meantime, the traffic coming through this street is no longer speeding around an obtuse corner, but traveling carefully.
- How to Fix an Overly Wide Street [Starts & Fits]
- Project HWM1667B [N.Y.C. Dept. of Design & Construction]
- Senior Center [Lenox Hill Neighborhood House]
You should be able to find out what’s happening by calling your community board district manager. They should know.