A VISION FOR THE NEW A Placemaking Strategy

FINAL REPORT by Project for Public Spaces

August 2013 Prepared for the Village Alliance

August 2013

Prepared By Project for Public Spaces, PPS 1 Introduction 3 About PPS and the Placemaking Approach 5 A Brief Historical Overview 7 Power Of Ten on Astor Place 9 Goals for Astor Place 11 A Program for the Spaces 21 Next Steps Astor Place Subway Plaza

56 new trees The Plaza 104 new standard DOT bike racks 6,620 SF of permeable paving 400 SF of swale planting for Cooper Triangle stormwater management 18,415 SF new additional planting

The Village Plaza

Existing Tree

New Tree

Existing Curbs

Project Scope

80’ 40’ 160 ’

DDC / DOT / Parks Reconstruction of Astor Place and Plan Diagram Proposed Design WXY/QRP/Oudolf/Tillett 1/30/2012 Scale: Graphic Scale 4 Introduction

In February 2013 Project for Public PPS is deeply familiar with Astor Place, as it is Spaces (PPS) began a collaboration on our office’s very doorstep. We believe the renovation of Astor Place is a momentous with the Village Alliance on occasion, as it is one that we have long advocated an initiative to develop a Site for. Activation Plan for Astor Place. This PPS uses a Placemaking approach to engage initiative, spurred by physical and local stakeholders and the broader communities traffic improvements proposed in the planning and activation of Astor Place. by NYCDOT for Astor Place, This approach provides a roadmap for the types represents a critical opportunity of activities and amenities necessary to create a lively public space, and to bring people together to transform the space from an to celebrate the civic and cultural richness of underperforming, lackluster traffic the area. The ultimate goal of the Placemaking island into the civic heart of the approach is to develop an informed, inspiring and agreed upon vision and a program, which builds neighborhood, as well as into one consensus and capacity to transform Astor Place of City’s great public into one of the great public spaces in New York spaces. City.

In addition to PPS, the Village Alliance has enlisted the help of city activators who will develop a detailed program of events for the new public space Astor Place is poised to become. PPS is using a proactive approach to understanding existing patterns of use and developing a programmatic vision with the community, while cityactivators outline implementation and management strategies.

A Vision for Astor Place 1

About PPS and the Placemaking Approach

Project for Public Spaces is a THE PLACEMAKING APPROACH THE PROCESS nonprofit planning, design, and We start by truly understanding how people We began our work by first reviewing a user educational organization dedicated use a place and what activities could draw them analysis study of Astor Place PPS had conducted to helping communities transform there. Design cannot be the starting point for in 1998-99. The study offered a rich array of data, creating a great place. Within any successful plaza, including time-lapse footage, pedestrian counts, their public spaces into vital places there needs to be several dynamic destinations activity mapping, observation data, ground floor that highlight local assets, spur that attract different kinds of people. These analysis of building fronts, summary of past rejuvenation, and serve common destinations must offer people many things surveys (, Village Alliance) and some to do - socializing, eating, reading, playing a recommendations. To complete that picture needs. To develop successful public game, interacting with art, people watching, from recent history, we conducted a brief historic spaces, it is essential to understand etc. Creating a great plaza requires working with overview to identify historical moments and the needs of both current and the community to articulate a vision for these figures of significance. The results of this overview potential users, the community activities and destinations. From this Placemaking a presented further in this report. process, PPS builds a concept plan--a program for dynamics and conditions. To uses, activities, and destinations--which guides the PPS and the Alliance engaged in an inclusive this end, PPS uses structured development of the space. public process consisting of stakeholder observations, surveys, focus interviews and focus groups, a public visioning group interviews, and a unique PPS worked in partnership with the Village workshop, an online survey, and a presentation to Alliance and the Astor Place community to build CB 2. community process that focuses a program of activities that will attract partners, on a full range of local stakeholders excite stakeholders, and delight the public. In Stakeholder interviews were conducted with – residents, students, property this process we worked together to identify key area property owners and property managers; partners for implementation, funding, organizing Cooper Union students and faculty; a vast array of and business managers, cultural events, and managing the space. area arts organizations; area residents; and office and arts organizations, schools workers. Over a hundred people were contacted and colleges, major employers, in the outreach process. community board members and city agency representatives.

A Vision for Astor Place 3 The focus group process served as a ramp-up to a about the place. broader public visioning workshop, held on April 18, 2013 and hosted by High School. The ideas generated in the public process, Close to sixty people attended the workshop and along with PPS’ knowledge of great public engaged in the Place Performance Evaluation spaces worldwide and the elements needed to Game. The workshop asked participants to create them, represent the foundation for the identify events, activities, and initiatives that the recommendations outlined in this report. Alliance and its public and private partners could implement. People were asked to brainstorm program ideas that would help activate Astor Place, as well as potential amenities and linkages that will make the space more comfortable, welcoming and attractive to users. Working in small groups and looking a small sites within Astor place, participants were able to visit the place, evaluate the existing public space and envision a new one. By participating in this ‘game’, attendees had the opportunity to get to know each other better and to gain new insights into the way the space functions for people with different needs and abilities.

In order to expand the number of people involved in the Placemaking process at Astor Place, PPS designed an online survey, which was distributed by the Village Alliance via its list-serve and newsletter. The survey did not yield statistically significant results (only 50 people have responded so far) but it offered thoughtful and heartfelt comments and ideas from people who really care A Vision for Astor Place 4 A Brief Historical Overview

The streets in and around Astor “Astor Place is a huge draw for history with 22 deaths and 10,000 demonstrators. Place are rich with a history which tourists and native NYers alike. The riots erupted at the Astor Place Opera House due to anti-British sentiment, sparked by rivalry often isn’t evident to passers-by - The historical importance of the between an American and a British actor who from buildings and events, to the area cannot be overstated... It is a both happened to be playing Macbeth in two small details hidden in subway crossroads between Union Square, separate theatre companies on Astor Place. entrances and on lamp-posts. the East Village, Noho, etc., AND it’s A number of famous figures have shaped – and Throughout focus groups and the a stone’s throw from Washington continue to shape – Astor Place, such as John public workshop there was great Square Park! The importance of The Jacob Astor himself (1763-1848), a self-made interest in the neighborhood’s past, Public Theater and Joe’s Pub must fur magnate who donated $400,000 to start a public library. A beaver plaque placed in the with strong support for having this be emphasized and highlighted” subway (one of only 28 original subway stations history permanently highlighted. (online survey respondent). in NYC) continues to honor his influence. Peter This perception was often described Cooper (1791-1883) was an industrialist, inventor, philanthropist, and the oldest ever US presidential as a way to help strengthen This neighborhood was home to the wealthy in candidate nominee. He was responsible for Astor Place’s diverse and creative the mid-late 19th century, including the Astor, a number of inventions of note, from the character, prized beyond almost Vanderbilt and Delano families, William Cullen pragmatic - designing and building the first any other quality of the space. For Bryant and Isaac Singer. Many architectural relics steam locomotive and a crank-operated washing still reflect this period, including the Astor Place machine, to the somewhat more quirky - jello. example: Off- Theatre (1831), part of a historic His most visible legacy stands in the form of The ; (1853-1881), Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science “It [Astor Place] should retain the formerly Astor Place Library and still an arts hub; and Art, which he established under the mandate of free and open access education, an issue under character of the neighborhood, and the Wanamaker building (1906), formerly an elegant department store (one of the first in the hot negotiation at this very moment. In fact tie back to its history” (Arts focus US) now home to K-Mart. Yet this time was not politics run deeply through the Cooper Union. Its group). without drama. The Cooper Union riots in 1849 Great Hall (1858) remains a venue used by heads remain one of the worst cases of civil unrest in US of state, from ’s historic 1867 address to ’s economic speech in A Vision for Astor Place 5 2008.

Astor Place fell into disrepair from 1900’s - 1960s/70s, with its rebirth very much shaped by grassroots custodians, such as artists and local communities. For example, the Alamo cube (1967), intended for a temporary 6 month installation was made permanent after residents protested its removal. There are figures such as Jerry Delakas, who has been the face behind the newstand on for 25 years, even appearing on Sex and the City. Traces of history also adorn Astor Place’s lamp-posts and vertical surfaces, the work of ‘Mosaic Man’ (Jim Power). He built up 80 light poles in 1988, and for 25 years has made mosaic installations which depict Lower ’s history, from Al Capone to 9/11. In 2004 he was even inducted into the City Lore Peoples Hall of Fame with official recognition of contribution to city by Mayor Bloomberg. The ‘Mosaic Traill’ is now a tourist activity, and the installations have been one of the most commonly discussed historical elements discussed by our participants - telling, as Powers is currently seeking ways to preserve his work.

This brief snapshot is just a taste of the history which can be highlighted to enhance Astor Place’s character through amenities and programming.

A Vision for Astor Place 6 Power Of Ten on Astor Place

these hundreds of thousands of people into the what they are invited to do in the space, what is Great Places are space? How do we make it attractive, fun and desirable and encouraged. intuitive? more than the sum For the purposes of the Place Evaluation Game PPS uses the Power of Ten (indebted to the classic and public workshop, and based on the designs of their parts. short film, “Powers of 10,” by Charles and Ray developed by DOT and its consultants, we were Eames), to illustrate this concept but there’s no able to establish several sub-places, or mini- reason to get fixated on a particular number. “Ten” destinations within the broader Astor Place area. How can Astor Place take its rightful place in the refers generally to the ultimate goals of variety These places include the Astor Place Subway Plaza, string of great public spaces along the spine of and choice. When we talk about the “Power of the Alamo Plaza/core Astor Place, Cooper Square Broadway? What would make it a great place? Ten,” we’re stressing the fact that we should always North & the Foundation Building, the new Village Simply put, great places are about offering a think of how Placemaking can be accomplished at Plaza and Cooper Triangle. Outlined below are variety of things to do in one spot – resulting in different scales. some of the ideas generated in the public process a place that is more than the sum of its parts. A for each of these destinations. We have focused larger plaza space is a good start. A plaza with a To re-build Astor Place around places we need a mostly on the areas that are within the purview fountain, interactive art, and a newspaper vendor diverse array of activities for a variety of people, so of the Village Alliance, but recommendations for is better. If there’s a sidewalk café, a subway stop, no single use dominates. One of the chief values Cooper Triangle, a mapped parkland managed by a bike station, and great food nearby, this is what of using the Power of Ten as a framework for the City, and the Village Plaza, which will be the of most people would consider a great place. Astor thinking about place is its flexibility. There may not Grace Church High School, are also included. Place already has many of these ingredients, and be ten great places within the boundaries of Astor while some of them could use improvement, Place, or even five. But Astor Place can capitalize they are present. What Astor Place needs is to tie on the vibrant street life and the hundreds of small these mini-places together, and to give people cafes, shops, restaurants, theaters, and cultural reasons and opportunities to stop and enjoy them. institutions enlivening the neighborhood. Astor Research conducted by PPS in 1998 on pedestrian Place needs to capture the imagination of the traffic volumes shows that nearly 100,000 people hundred thousand pedestrians that cross the area walk through the space on a daily basis. Since daily and are looking for ways to engage with the 1999 a lot has changed on Astor Place, and there place. It also needs to give people cues, through is reason to believe that this number has grown amenities, programs, events, and art, about even higher. So how could we engage some of

A Vision for Astor Place 7 A Vision for Astor Place 8 Goals for Astor Place

The Placemaking process helped the team to identify several broader goals for Astor place as a great public space:

• Astor Place needs to be featured as a “proper” place with its own character, history, dynamics; • The quirky, gritty, unique character of the area should be preserved and showcased; • Keeping the area inclusive and affordable is very important; • The existing sense of spontaneity and ease should be preserved; • Showcasing visual and performance art from the area is key; • The new Astor Place needs food options with good amenities; • Astor Place should offer appropriate programming in a managed way while leaving room for spontaneity; • The new Astor Place should support and emphasize the neighborhood character of its adjacent public spaces -- Cooper Triangle and the new Village Plaza.

A Vision for Astor Place 9

A Program for the Spaces

Suggested Uses and activities be wider and could allow for quieter Astor Place Subway Plaza activities such as reading and using Recommendations Astor Place Subway Plaza will give people the WiFi. The area could invite a portable opportunity to: newsstand or newspaper vendor/ distributor to offer reading materials to • Access transit; users; • Get oriented to the area; -- Another seating area would be located along 4th Avenue close to where the • Use WiFi; Mud Truck parks now. Astor Place • Sit outdoors;Subway Plaza • No curbside parking will be allowed adjaent • Buy and eat food; to the subway plaza. However a temporary food kiosk may be located here, subject to • Attend or participate in small scale cultural an open bidding process.The Mud Truck activities ; 56 new trees itself will be replaced by a food kiosk and The Alamo Plaza Mud Coffee will be encouraged to make an • Engage with site-specific art; 104 new standard DOT bike racks offer and become the concessionaire that • Watch & meet people. operates this new facility; 6,620 SF of permeable paving• Small-scale cultural activities such as the Vision public piano, small performances, and Potential amenities 400 SF of swale other spontaneous actions will be located The expanded Astor Place Subway Plaza presented planting for south of the proposed planter along Cooper Triangle stormwater in NYCDOT’s design will be a larger, greener, better These activities will be supported by the following Lafayette Street – this will allow for transit physical amenities management users to circulate without obstacles, and connected space than what exists today. It will for the planter steps to be used for seating. 18,415 SF new also be a place that is not used just for transit Additional seating could also be provided • Two small seating area with tables,additional chairs, planting access, but one that accommodates and allows planters, a few umbrellas are proposed to here with movable chairs. for related activities to occur comfortably and in enhance the seating element provided by • Signage and wayfinding elements could be a more well-defined fashion. While it will remain the large planter steps included in DOT’s located here so tourists, students and other a space with a lower level of activity than other design: The Village Plaza visitors can quickly get oriented to the area destinations within Astor Place, the Subway Plaza -- One such area could be located at the as they arrive from the subway; will now allow users to engage in a range of small- northern tip of the plaza, a place that Existing Tree • We propose to locate some sort of gateway scale activities. is currently underused. This area will

A Vision for Astor PlaceNew Tree 11 Existing Curbs

Project Scope

80’ 40’ 160 ’

DDC / DOT / Parks Reconstruction of Astor Place and Cooper Square Plan Diagram Proposed Design WXY/QRP/Oudolf/Tillett 1/30/2012 Scale: Graphic Scale 4 feature like a unique art piece, near the south-west corner of the plaza creating a sense of arrival both along Lafayette Street and along East 8th Street; • A small seating platform or bench could be considered directly to the south of the subway entrance, where people often sit on the ground or on the subway structure ledge, to better accommodate this use; • Large planters could be used to protect the pedestrian space from vehicles on East 8th Street and to add a sense of greenery and color to the area. The structured planter shown by DOT will also offer greenery and possibly small trees. • The existing CitiBike station could be relocated across Lafayette Street along the Wanamaker/Kmart building, which will put those renting bikes immediately next to the Lafayette Street bike lane; • The Subway Plaza could be expanded for special one-day events and festivals by temporarily closing 4th Avenue.

A Vision for Astor Place 12 The Alamo Plaza / continue to serve as the core of Astor Place Lafayette Street could feature another offering amenities, programmed activities, and a artistic gateway element (i.e. Parisian style Astor Place real place for people to enjoy. metro sign); Recommendations • A multi-functional kiosk could offer a Suggested uses and activities variety of services throughout the day, for example: People willAstor be much Place better accommodated in the -- In the morning and at lunch time the new spaceSubway to: Plaza kiosk could serve as a food concierge, meaning area office workers, students, • Sit outdoors and eat; and other could order food for lunch at 56 new trees • Meet others and watch people; the kiosk from a variety of participating The Alamo Plaza 104 new standard food establishments in the area, at • Participate in scheduled programs & events; DOT bike racks lunch time they would pick-up their • Shop at a variety of markets; delivery at the kiosk and be able to 6,620 SF of enjoy eating it in the plaza; • Get information about culturalpermeable and artpaving offerings in the area; -- In the afternoon and evening various 400 SF of swale cultural groups from the neighborhood • Order and pick-up food forplanting lunch; for could offer information, tickets, Cooper Triangle stormwater programs, and even short previews out • Engage with art (cube andmanagement other). of the kiosk to all who are interested; 18,415 SF new -- Throughout the day the kiosk could additional planting also offer information about area Vision Potential amenities attractions, destinations, activities, etc. These activities will be supported by the following The Alamo Plaza named after the Alamo “cube” -- It is understood that staffing the kiosk physical amenities: sculpture, will become a much larger and more The Village Plaza would be the biggest obstacle to running this type of multi-functional functional space once is expands over Astor Place • A seating area with colorful street furniture facility and the Village Alliance will need connecting all the way to the building at 26 Astor – tables, chairs, umbrellas,Existing planters Tree that support in order to sustain such service. Place. As per DOT’s design Astor Place will be reflect the character of the neighborhood • In addition to the multi-functional kiosk, eliminated as a through street between Lafayette New Tree would offer people a variety of places to sit; information will be made available through and Cooper Square. The new Alamo Plaza will a plaza-wide signage and wayfinding • The south-bound subwayExisting entrance Curbs across A Vision for Astor Place Project Scope 13

80’ 40’ 160 ’

DDC / DOT / Parks Reconstruction of Astor Place and Cooper Square Plan Diagram Proposed Design WXY/QRP/Oudolf/Tillett 1/30/2012 Scale: Graphic Scale 4 system. DOT will install signage on Astor summer, and space heaters, blankets and Place as part of the program by subway hot chocolate in the Winter. entrances. • The Alamo Plaza will also be able to • The Alamo, as the largest space at Astor accommodate special events, fundraisers, Place, will also be able to accommodate as well as events aiming to raise its profile a variety of programmed events ranging within the network of public spaces in New from daily, weekly and monthly activities to York City. Madison Square Eats and Flatiron special events and festivals. To do that we Chefs were used as examples illustrating propose that the center of the plaza be left the type of event that may occur here, but open as a potential stage or a portable deck we do understand that Astor Place is a area that would occassionally host: unique place with its own flair and specific culture and will probably create its own -- Regular exercise classes by area gyms type of special event; like Yoga / tai-chi / capoeira etc. -- A variety of markets were discussed as -- Dance and performance classes by potential special events in the plaza area gyms, dance studios, theater and including a night market, which was performance companies; suggested by both residents and -- Small concerts by area cultural area office workers; a weekly farmer’s institutions, schools and colleges, or for market; arts and crafts markets events such as Make Music New York; reflecting the work of artists and makers in the neighborhood; special -- Activities for families and youth, etc. seasonal markets – holiday markets, • The Village Alliance with help from flower and plant market, etc.; city activators will be building a -- A seasonal carousel was proposed as detailed program of events exploring an amenity that could accompany a collaborations with area educational and holiday market. cultural organizations, businesses and entertainment venues. This program will seek to establish both regular events as well as seasonal themed events. Flexible amenities in the plaza could also help create seasonal themes for the space such as water or sprinklers and ice cream in the

A Vision for Astor Place 14 Examples of Street Furniture.

MUMOK, Vienna Madison Square, New York , New York

Union Square North, New York Paris Tourist Information Kiosk

Paris Plage, France A Vision for Astor Place 15 Cooper Square North ideas from the Placemaking process made it clear • Engage with art and around that community members see this area as part the Cooper Union. / Foundation Building of a whole that needs to be woven together in a meaningful way. Focus group meetings with Recommendations Cooper Union students revealed their eagerness Potential amenities to showcase their work in public and to be a Some simple amenities could go a long way stronger presence on Astor Place. Thus the vision in both supporting activity on the sidewalks for this area is for the wider sidewalks to become Astor Place and giving public space users clues as to what Subwaythe site Plaza of art exhibits, books and culture-related activities are encouraged and welcome in the vending and events, a place that keeps the flavor space. of Saint Mark’s Place and connects the villages. 56 new trees • Students and the Cooper Union could TheSuggested Alamo Plaza uses and activities 104 new standard be encouraged to create a free speech / DOT bike racks soap box corner for small performances, With expanded sidewalks along the Foundation speeches, storytelling, open mic etc. at Building and Cooper6,620 Square, SF people of will be able the south east corner of Cooper Square to: permeable paving and Astor Place. Students and area cultural groups such as the Poetry Club 400 SF of swale could collaborate to program this place. • View art and otherplanting exhibits for in the In order to activate the corner and make it CooperFoundation Triangle Buildingstormwater colonnade and on the into a usable public space, the large willow sidewalk; management tree proposed in the DOT designs could be • Use the extra-wide sidewalk along Cooper Vision 18,415 SF new moved closer to Astor Place curb; Square as an alternativeadditional or planting spillover location Under the new DOT plan, Cooper Square and the for any proposed markets; • The Foundation Building colonnades along Cooper Square and the new extra-wide Cooper Union Foundation Building will benefit • Shop for books and other printed materials sidewalk could feature student art work; from significantly expanded sidewalks, which along the Foundation Building; need to become part of the overall Astor Place The Village Plaza -- For the sidewalk, art displays designed • Watch small informal performances at the and built by Cooper students could experience. While this area is a mapped city corner of Cooper Square and Astor Place; help expand the exhibit surface and park and functions as the lone public space for Existing Tree • Listen to or give a speech/talk at the free populate the sidewalk; Cooper Union’s Campus, recommendations and speech corner;New Tree A Vision for Astor Place Existing16 Curbs Project Scope

80’ 40’ 160 ’

DDC / DOT / Parks Reconstruction of Astor Place and Cooper Square Plan Diagram Proposed Design WXY/QRP/Oudolf/Tillett 1/30/2012 Scale: Graphic Scale 4 • Additional seating such as benches or movable chairs could be offered along Cooper Square under the new trees facing exhibit displays; • The extra-wide sidewalk along Cooper Square/4th Avenue could be used for special markets and fairs; • As part of this strategy, Cooper Union may want to encourage book sellers and other vendors to set-up along Foundation Building leading to St. Mark’s Place; • The Foundation Building could improve and humanize its façade along Astor Place by removing fences, placing planters and landscaping along the façade, offering benches and opportunities for people to engage with the building; • The area could offer Wifi and possibly an app-based urban game developed to feature destinations nearby.

A Vision for Astor Place 17 Astor Place Subway Plaza Cooper Triangle/ the creation of the Village Plaza, which is expected • Enjoy seasonal programs. to be maintained56 new andtrees managed by Grace Church Village Plaza The Alamo HighPlaza School and its students. Cooper Triangle will 104 new standard be expandedDOT and bike some racks upgrades are expected Potential amenities Recommendations to the space. Participants in the public workshop 6,620 SF of Specific recommendations were made for physical envisioned these two spaces as quieter places for permeable paving improvements to Cooper Triangle such as: families, children, neighborhood markets and the 400 SF of swale like. planting for • Expand park with more plants and Cooper Triangle stormwater greenery. The placemaking process showed Suggestedmanagement uses and activities that many stakeholders wished to see a 18,415 SF new more green environment at Astor Place, Cooper Triangle was envisioned as a more usable additional planting and Cooper Triangle was identified as the park space, where area residents can enjoy a green place where that environment could be environment and can: enhanced; • Remove the fences to improve access and The Village• PlazaRelax in the park; to allow for expansion of the green space; • Play in a safe park environment; Existing Tree • Use plantings and shrubbery to create a • Enjoy a garden environment; sense of enclosure and to replace the fence; New Tree • Play table games; • Create garden areas in Cooper Triangle Existing Curbs maintained by neighbor gardeners; The new large sidewalk at Cooper Triangle and Vision • Install an interactive play element for kids Village PlazaProject would Scope allow people to: in Cooper Triangle, could be designed and The new Village Plaza along with an improved 80’ built by Cooper students; • Engage in neighborhood-oriented Cooper Triangle will be places with a strong 40’ 160 ’ neighborhood character. DOT’s plan envisions activities – meet neighbors, learn about • Install ping pong, chess, fussball tables in 4th Avenue as a reconfigured limited access neighborhood events, etc. the plaza by the Foundation Building to be DDC / DOT / Parks Reconstruction of Astor Place and Cooper Square Plan Diagram Proposed Design maintained and managed by Cooper Union street that will carry very low volumes of traffic, • Shop at market(s); students; WXY/QRP/Oudolf/Tillett 1/30/2012 although buses will remainScale: on 4th Graphic Avenue Scaleand will • Have coffee in the plaza; continue to use the street as a layover location. 4 • Create a wifi hotspot in Cooper Triangle; The reconfiguration of 4th Avenue will allow for • Connect to local history;

A Vision for Astor Place 18 The Village Plaza, which will be the responsibility of Grace Church High School and its students, was seen as a more passive area with simple amenities including:

• Planters, shown in DOT’s design, to be planted and maintained by high school students; • A seating area with chairs, tables, umbrellas that could have a coffee cart vendor in the morning and afternoon; • A neighborhood bulletin board to be maintained by high school students; • Neighborhood gateway signage focusing mostly on neighborhood destinations and amenities.

A Vision for Astor Place 19

Next Steps

As Astor Place and Cooper unique feel and look for the plaza by adding promotion of Astor Place could also be to the standard DOT amenities, but not considered. Triangle go into phased completely replacing them. construction over the next year, • Creating a unique feel and character the Village Alliance will continue for Astor Place will certainly involve art elements, and the Alliance and its task force to prepare organizationally and will need to define, fund and hold an art programmatically to take ownership competition or a call for public art proposals that could cover a variety of elements like of the new and improved Astor incorporating art into amenities; creating Place. There are a number of next artistic gateway markers or features; potentially creating a child-friendly piece steps the Alliance should pursue in of interactive art; etc. The art institutions the upcoming months. and galleries in the area could be invited to promote, recruit artists, and judge the • The Alliance will continue building on competition but most importantly should the programming concept working with be encouraged to fund the realization city activators to refine ideas from the of the winning entries. Some of these Placemaking process and to create a institutions may also be able to donate realistic, workable schedule of events for appropriate pieces from their collections. the space with commitment from area • The Alliance will also have to establish partners and identified funding sources. an RFP processes for various concessions • The Alliance should also work to identify, like food, coffee, markets, special events, select and purchase the appropriate etc. Selecting the right vendor for the amenities needed for the destinations right location will be a critical piece in of Astor Place. The stakeholders who this process. Successful concessions contributed to the Placemaking process will be crucial in assuring the economic were very explicit about their desire to sustainability of Astor Place as a great see unique and artistic amenities in Astor public space. Place that go above and beyond what • Among other steps to pursue in the DOT provides for NYC plazas. PPS can help improvement of Astor Place, wayfinding advise and put the Alliance in contact with and signage design will be important, manufacturers and makers to create a and a digital strategy for wayfinding and A Vision for Astor Place 21 FINAL REPORT A VISION FOR THE NEW ASTOR PLACE by A Placemaking Strategy (Placemaking Guidelines) Project for Public Spaces

July 2013