New York Construction Report staff writer
The City of New York has released an RFP to help develop a cohesive design vision for a portion of Park Avenue that sits atop the Grand Central Terminal Train Shed — currently undergoing a major capital rehabilitation by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)’s Metro-North Railroad.
“We’re putting the ‘park’ back in Park Avenue! This project will transform this iconic stretch of Manhattan’s Park Avenue by adding greenery and making important safety improvements. The Adams administration continues to reimagine public space in record ways,” said DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “This street redesign is a key piece of a new vision for East Midtown, and we look forward to identifying a partner to make this vision a reality.”
Through the RFP process, DOT is seeking design services from a contractor with a background in landscape architecture or urban design to help fill in that wider median, encompassing pedestrian enhancements, cycling infrastructure, landscaping, and innovative streetscape amenities. The selected design team will work with relevant agencies and engage with local stakeholders to produce design concepts that are infrastructurally sound and meet community needs.
The effort comes as the city continues to advance its vision to permanently reimagine Fifth Avenue as a safer, less congested, pedestrian-centered boulevard, as well as other public realm projects in commercial corridors across the city.
“This administration is transforming urban space and finding opportunities to create safer, calmer, and quieter places within our streetscape,” said New York City Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley. “Old Park Avenue placed much more emphasis on the ‘park’ and we can get back to that while preserving mobility with dedication to a new set of design principles that values people’s health above all. We look forward to continuing to partner with DOT and the East Midtown Governing Group to implement positive upgrades to this community.”
The goal is to collaborate with local agencies to enhance green spaces and create vibrant, accessible environments that promote community well-being, and sustain the natural beauty of our city.
“This is a great example of collaboration across levels of government leading to a more efficient process and a better result for the public,” said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “As we work to rebuild the Grand Central Terminal Train Shed running under Park Avenue, we’re thrilled to work with our partners at City Hall and DOT to coordinate the city’s investments to improve the streetscape with the essential state of good repair work happening below.”
Currently, the City of New York and the MTA are rehabilitating and repairing the Grand Central Terminal Train Shed, which spans from East 46th Street to East 57th Street.
The ambitious construction project will address critical infrastructure needs by replacing the train shed roof structure and waterproofing membrane while enhancing Park Avenue, which sits atop the train shed and will be removed and reconstructed in stages as subsurface work proceeds.
As the MTA completes its train shed work, Park Avenue will be restored with an expanded median for pedestrians featuring verdant landscaping and seating. The transformational redesign of Park Avenue that emerges from this project will enhance public space, promote sustainable transit options, and foster community among residents and visitors. The MTA began its construction on the block of Park Avenue between East 47th and East 48th Street. That block will be the first along the avenue to feature a wider median when the street is restored as early as 2025.
Funding for the RFP has been provided through the East Midtown Governing Group, which was created as a part of the 2017 Greater East Midtown Rezoning. The rezoning created a mechanism through which new office development and the sale of development rights require contribution to public realm improvements, like this redesign of Park Avenue.
The Park Avenue redesign will be the next step in the effort to create a world-class network of public space in Midtown, as recommended by the “New” New York Panel to rebuild New York City’s economy as outlined in the “Making New York Work for Everyone” action plan. It builds on other initiatives, including expansion of the Broadway Vision Plan, launch of the Fifth Avenue redesign, opening of Plaza33 at Penn Station, a new agreement to support the replacement and expansion of the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and more.
