Just a few weeks ago, the Meatpacking District's Gansevoort Plaza was an urban wasteland.  Cars and cabs pealed through the area without regard to their surroundings, creating dangerous conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.

In 2005, PPS met with local community leaders to develop a vision for the area.  Recently, several simple changes were implemented that have changed the streetscape.

Photo by Lily Bernheimer 

Traffic has been significantly slowed and pedestrians now have a place to sit in this now-bustling neighborhood!

Previous Posts:

Eve on the Street: Gansevoort Plaza Open for Business [Streetsblog]
PPS Projects: Gansevoort Plaza [PPS Transportation Projects] 

     Photo Credit (left): Lily Bernheimer

The NYC DOT appears to be moving ahead with changes that will make Gansevoort Plaza, a massive intersection at the heart of the Meatpacking District, into a comfortable pedestrian area.

While everyone is wondering how the space will shape up in the long-run, comment postings on Streetsblog show that there is no shortage of good ideas. Recommendations from readers range from the installation of a central fountain to allocating the space for a green or flea market.

Related Posts:
Community Vision for Gansevoort Plaza [PPS Project Experience]
Meat Market Traffic Patterns [The Villager]

Streetsblog reports on the changes that have been taking place along Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. PPS worked with the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) to develop a new vision for a 15-block area last year. Some of the improvements suggested include improved parking management, higher quality design materials and more amenities for pedestrians.

The findings of the BID's comprehensive vision will be presented by Phil Myrick to Manhattan Community Board 7's Green Committee and members of the Parks and Transportation Committees on Monday, March 24th at 7pm. The meeting will take place at 250 West 87th Street, 2nd Floor.

Download the BID Vision Report here.

The StreetStars series focuses on the heroes and organizers in our communities who are fighting constructively for livable streets.

Christine Berthet, co-founder of Chekpeds (the Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen Pedestrian Safety Coalition), worked with TA and PPS, and was instrumental in organizing the Ninth Avenue Renaissance.

In order to foster ideas on how to reclaim 9th Avenue from Lincoln Tunnel traffic, the Clinton/Hell's Kitchen Pedestrian Safety Coalition (CHEKPEDS) sponsored a six month community input process designed by Project for Public Spaces.

Community Board 4 will hold a vote tonight on adopting report findings as "the official community vision." If that happens, the report will be incorporated as community input in the federally funded engineering study of entrances to the Lincoln Tunnel.

PPS is working with neighborhood associations, community boards, and the Manhattan Borough President in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of New York City, to address traffic, pollution, and the degradation of street life on 9th Avenue.  Thor Snilsberg presented PPS's report to the community, which included three proposed redesign plans for 9th Avenue based on community feedback gathered at a series of workshops.

PPS is working with the Grand Army Plaza Coalition in Brooklyn, NY to help improve the area for pedestrians.  PPS held a workshop attended by 50 community members and discussed a vision for the dangerous plaza.

This video of the workshop from StreetFilms.org features PPS's Kathleen Ziegenfuss and Ethan Kent.

This interview with Fred Kent appeared in the February 2007 issue of Urban Land:

"As an internationally known advocate for public spaces, Fred Kent, founder of the New York-based  Project for Public Spaces (PPS), sees cities - and the people who inhabit them - through the measured senses of an urban provocateur."

Although New York prides itself on its public life, New Yorkers inhabit a public realm that pales beside what it could become. "After working in cities around the world, we've developed a rich understanding of public spaces that begs to be put to use back in our home town," explains PPS President Fred Kent. "New York can benefit from our experience and become an even greater city in the 21st century."

Museum Mile Festival, 5th Avenue 

Read this special issue of PPS's newsletter Making Places, which includes the city commentary, New York great public spaces and hidden gems, and the places that provide the biggest opportunities for improvement.

PPS facilitated the first meeting of the Ninth Avenue Renaissance project in Hell's Kitchen, New York, attended by over 130 members of the community. The project will focus on transforming Ninth Avenue from a traffic-choked, polluted highway, to a community-oriented Main Street.  Aaron Naparstek brings us his take on the meeting on Streetsblog.

After a screening of Contested Streets at a restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Jim O'Grady finds himself lusting for safe bicycle infrastructure, dedicated bus lanes, and congestion pricing. The movie highlights the success that Copenhagen, London, and Paris have seen in prioritizing pedestrians, bicycles, and public transit riders over drivers.

PPS worked with a community-driven initiative to transform Gansevoort Plaza, a broad, chaotic intersection of Ninth Avenue and Gansevoort Street, into a thriving piazza. The Greater Gansevoort Urban Improvement Project (GGUIP) is quietly emerging as one of New York City's most promising Streets Renaissance initiatives.

 

PPS is seeking a Transportation and Placemaking Project Manager in its transportation line of business. Candidates should have experience in several of the following areas: transportation and land use planning and/or policy, TOD,  transportation facility design, public participation and facilitation, community development, redevelopment and real estate development  market analysis. The selected candidate will report to the Vice President for Transportation and work with other VPs, project associates and interns on a range of planning, research, and marketing projects, including land and community development projects and general and specific plans for communities, cities and counties.

Read more about this position at: http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/jobopenings

Contested Streets Screening
 
A free public screening will take place on Saturday, August 26th at Solar 1 in Stuyvesant Cove Park (E. 23rd Street and the East River) as part of their Solar Powered Film Series.

At 8 pm there will be a panel discussion about NYC’s traffic problem and what groups around the city and around the world are doing to fight traffic. The panel will feature:

Alexis Perotta: Senior Policy Analyst, Regional Plan Association 
Ethan Kent: Vice President, Project for Public Spaces
Glen McAnanama: Founder, Upper Green Side and blogger featured on The Oil Drum and StreetsBlog
Matthew Roth: Director, NYC Streets Renaissance Campaign Moderator: Dani Simons: Deputy Director, Transportation Alternatives

At 9 pm there will be a screening of Contested Streets. The screening is free and open to the public. Guests can enjoy delicious refreshments generously donated by the Birdbath Bakery, the city’s first sustainably built and managed bakery; as well organic wine, Brooklyn Brewery beer and other choice treats.

About Contested Streets: Breaking NYC Gridlock

Contested Streets is co-produced by Mark Gorton and Transportation Alternatives. It was created by Cicala Filmworks. The film runs 57 minutes. To watch the trailer, purchase a copy of the DVD or get more information about holding a screening visit www.transalt.org/contestedstreets.

About Solar One

Solar One, the City's first solar powered “Green Energy, Arts, and Education Center” inspires New Yorkers to become environmentally responsible city dwellers.

 
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NYCSR presents "StreetFilms"
Pioneer Theater:  Tuesday, August 29th at 7 PM
Tickets: $9 (Free food and drink following screening)

Pioneer Theater is located at 155 East 3rd Street, NYC  (Between Avenues A & B, closest to A)

Please join us for a 75 minute "StreetFilms," program from the NYC Streets Renaissance Campaign (NYCSR).  "StreetFilms" are an eclectic collection of short video works which highlight many of the transportation problems our city faces and the struggles communities are confronted with in trying to reform their streets into more livable spaces.  The videos highlight many communities, residents and advocates and what they are doing to fight for better conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and more open space.   We'll also focus on how other cities and countries are doing it better.

Among the dozen-plus works to be shown include "The Sidewalk Nibblers" and "Parking Spot Squat".  All films are directed by Clarence Eckerson Jr.

This very special night will feature a pizza and beverage reception to follow which is included free with ticket purchase.

Advanced tickets are strongly recommended.  To purchase:  http://www.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=64458

Pioneer Theater website: http://www.twoboots.com/pioneer/
 

An interview with Fred Kent, President and founder of PPS, on what it means to create a great place and why the concept of Placemaking has gone international.

PPS is excited to announce to you an exhibit we have just opened at the Urban Center Galleries at the Municipal Art Society. The exhibit Livable Streets: A New Vision for New York is the public kick off of the New York City Streets Renaissance Campaign that PPS is running with Transportation Alternatives and The Open Planning Project.

The experience most associated with New York, and perhaps most loved about the city, is that of the pedestrian--walking city sidewalks, strolling around neighborhood streets--yet we still plan our streets mainly to enhance the speed of the automobile.

We strongly believe that the biggest obstacle--and biggest opportunity--to achieving better public spaces in New York is our streets. The myopic focus of New York transportation officials on moving vehicles has had serious consequences for the city, limiting its potential as a vibrant place where public activity can flourish and all modes of transportation are balanced. The city is now at a point where it can either stay the course of worsening traffic and perilous streets or re-define itself with great public spaces and lively street life. Almost every street in the city can better meet communities' needs for greater accessibility, health, safety, and economic activity.

"If we continue to plan our streets for cars and traffic we will only get more cars and traffic, but if we start planning for people and places, we will get people and places."
-- Fred Kent

The New York City Streets Renaissance Campaign is challenging the city's auto-centric transportation policy at every level, shedding light on the broader opportunities to support great streets and neighborhoods through smart investment in transportation and public space. We are working to connect neighborhood and city-wide leaders with each other and with powerful information and training. We are also getting short-term wins by working with communities to achieve specific street restructuring projects that bring significant benefits to pedestrians, neighborhoods, and the city as whole.

We hope that you will join the many people and organizations who are signing on to express their support for this campaign. You can also tell your stories or seek help for your community here.

And don't forget to attend our exhibit and the many associated events at The Urban Center, 457 Madison Avenue at 51st Street (details below). All of the events are free, however it is recommended that you RSVP to rsvp@mas.org or 212-935-2075.

PPS is very excited to be focusing more of our energy in New York after having successfully reformed transportation policy and practice in other parts of the country. We will be releasing our New York City Commentary (a follow up to city commentaries we have done for London, Paris and Barcelona.) in the coming month.

We hope to see you at one of the upcoming events!

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EVENTS

Neighborhoods and Traffic: How Does Traffic Affect New Yorkers' Quality of Life?
Wed, Feb 15, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

High volumes of neighborhood traffic not only impact our health, but also the bonds that form strong communities. Hear the details of a groundbreaking study that shows how speeding, congestion and other traffic issues affect the relationships residents have with their neighbors, their children and the places they call home.

Karla Quintero from Transportation Alternatives will present the results from the new report Neighborhoods and Traffic. Learn how traffic and street design affect New Yorkers' perception, use and enjoyment of city streets. Karla examines the impact of traffic on New Yorkers' quality of life and confirms Donald Appleyard's findings first published in Livable Streets (1963).

Tom Samuels, leading traffic calming practitioner from Chicago (and former PPS employee), will discuss measures Chicago has taken to reconfigure their roadways and traffic control systems to balance pedestrian safety with traffic flow.

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Better Streets, Better Business: Fiscal Benefits of Better Streets
Thurs, Feb 23, 8:30 - 10:00 am

Todd Litman, founder and executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, will discuss the economic benefits of creating spaces that favor walking and biking over driving. He will focus on measures city and local businesses can take to set modal targets for biking and walking within the city as well as more specific commercial and retail districts; define the value of walkability in a strong economy and successful retail center and explore a variety of methods that address specific parking problems and encourage more efficient use.

Bruce Shaller, President of Schaller Consulting, will release his groundbreaking new report "The Auto in Manhattan: Necessity or Choice?" It explores the role of automobile travel in Manhattan's economy, and the extent to which current auto commuters have existing transit alternatives. The report has far-reaching implications for how New York's streets are best managed, apportioned and designed.

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Broadway as a Destination: What if We Redefined Broadway Around its Great Destinations?
Monday, Feb 27, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

While Broadway is the proud spine of Manhattan, in reality it is more of a thoroughfare than a great street. Broadway's major crossings create some of the most unfriendly intersections in the city, but these problematic spaces also have enormous potential to become pedestrian-oriented destinations. A panel of local leaders will discuss transforming Broadway into a street with great destinations and more effective pedestrian connections.

Discussion questions will include: Can Broadway become more pedestrian-oriented? How can Broadway better connect and support the destinations it intersects? Can it become a boulevard with amenities and wider sidewalks? Can through traffic be limited? Can traffic be two-way? Can vehicle access be limited, with priority for taxis and buses?

Confirmed Panelists:
Fred Kent, President, Project for Public Spaces
Savona Bailey-McClain, Executive Director, West Harlem Art Fund
Tim Tompkins, Executive Director, Times Square Alliance
Dan Biederman, President, 34th Street Partnership
Jeffrey Zupan, Senior Fellow, Transportation, Regional Plan Association

By looking at Broadway as a whole and highlighting current successes, obstacles and opportunities, this discussion is intended to be a catalyst for increased cooperation and vision, encouraging both small localized improvements and larger-scale rethinking of priorities and solutions for New York's most important street. The discussion will also be highly relevant to other streets and intersections around the city. Indeed, many of the city's major intersections, where important streets meet, are the least friendly places for pedestrians. If treated as squares and plazas (in more than just name), these car-dominated areas could become some of the most valuable destinations in New York City.

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Stickball: Past, Present, and Future of the Quintessential NYC Street Game
Wed, March 15, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Stickball was the ultimate New York street game, requiring only a broom handle, a ball, players and a safe street. Can it make a comeback?

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Connecting Neighborhood Activists with Resources
Mon, March 20, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Learn about resources - including technological tools, planning and advocacy assistance, videography, and media strategy - that the NYC Streets Renaissance provides neighborhood activists working to improve their streets and traffic.

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A very special evening with...

Enrique Penalosa
Former Mayor of Bogota Colombia
Wednesday, March 22nd

"If you improve the pedestrian qualities of the city you get improved real estate values. My main worry is equality and happiness, but many people think real estate values are more important, so the interesting thing is that both of them are benefited."

Limited space is available for this event. Location to be determined. If you would like more information about this event please contact info@transalt.org

"...What we did, I like to emphasize, is nothing extremely expensive. It's not great public works, I mean, maybe just to make a wide sidewalk on a bikeway, you know, it's not something that is going to cost billions."