Bronx Meet Your Waterfront Site Design Posters

Bronx, Meet Your Waterfront Plan HTTP://BRONX.MIT.EDU SPRING 2011 1 of 3SITE & SYSTEMS PLANNING PRACTICUM DEPARTMENT OF URBAN STUDIES & PLANNING MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYHB

HIGH BRIDGE & DEPOT PLACEMASTER PLAN

These boards present infrastructural, ecological, and culturally-based ideas and plans for reclaiming the water edge in the High Bridge neighborhood. In particular, the site focuses on interventions around Depot Place, the High Bridge Plaza, and several of streets that connect the site into the neighborhood.

Graphics and design concepts by Stephen Kennedy, Laura Manville, and Dominick Tribone, along with the members of the MIT Bronx Site & Systems Planning Studio in Spring 2011.

High Bridge is the oldest standing bridge in New York City. The bridge is a beautiful and important neighborhood asset that connects Manhattan and the Bronx. Its tall masonry arches create majestic spaces beneath and an unparalleled view of the Harlem River from up top.

HARLEM RIVER PROMENADE

Our ideas fit into a larger vision for this part of the Bronx waterfront. The Harlem River Promenade will create a dramatic park under the High Bridge,

featuring a boathouse, greenhouse, and space for active recreation. Our ideas respond to resident feedback on these planned waterfront improvements, and focus on connecting the proposed new recreational spaces to the community.

HB

THE DRAMATIC TOPOGRAPHY OF THIS SITE IS A CHALLENGE, BUT ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE UNIQUE SPACES FOR BRONX RESIDENTS AT THE HARLEM RIVER.

Currently, there are significant physical barriers for residents wishing to access the water at this part of the Harlem River. The dramatic elevation changes, the Major Deegan expressway, and several rail lines currently stand between the neighborhoods and the river. But this area is also fortunate to host existing infrastructure that can be adapted for pedestrians. These include Depot Place, a vehicular access route over the Major Deegan and Metro North tracks, and the stone steps of the High Bridge.

The diagram at left shows the complexity of this site.

HIGH BRIDGE TEAM:

Stephen KennedyLaura ManvilleDominick Tribone

TRANSECT

A HISTORIC RESOURCE

SECTION - HIGH BRIDGE & DEPOT PLACE INTERVENTIONS

0’ 20’ 40’ 80’ 160’


HIGH BRIDGE & PLAZASITE DETAILS

A visible gate for the High Bridge park would make the entrance easier to see and exciting to reach. On 170th Street, we envision banners, or even changes in paving, indicating a clear path to the High Bridge. Visitors coming from the Grand Concourse or MTA stations should be able to see and celebrate the approach to the park.

STONE STEPS RENOVATION

The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation is planning to restore the High Bridge steps. The steps are crumbling and damaged from years of foot traffic. With planned investment along the Harlem River, and with the renovation of this historic resource, the steps will undoubtably see more use as people travel from the neighborhood to the water.

HIGH BRIDGE PLAZA

HIGH BRIDGE SALSA NIGHT

HIGH BRIDGE STONE STEPS

ENTRANCE DESIGN

TEMPORARY ACTIVATIONS OF PUBLIC SPACE:

Currently, High Bridge Park in the Bronx is sit-uated below street level. When visitors to the renovated High Bridge approach the park from the north or east, they won’t see the bridge or the plaza until they get all the way to Uni-versity Avenue. Additionally, the ramped park entrance is currently off-set more than a block from the bridge’s actual entrance.

The site plan at left shows the plaza featuring a new entrance that steps down to the park from University Avenue at 170th Street. The rendering below shows the view as one ap-proaches this new gate.

The rendering at the top of this poster was inspired by the historic image of the steps at right. The high visibility of the redesigned steps responds to neighborhood residents who want to see the steps become a safer and more convenient access point. Our idea is to prune the vegetation around the stairs and to install rain gardens to prevent erosion and control some of the stormwater run-off from this steep slope. A dramatic vision of the steps from the new Harlem River promende, and from Manhattan, will highlight that the Bronx side of the bridge is a destination.

HIGH BRIDGE PLAZAGATEWAY DESIGN

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SALSA ON THE HIGH BRIDGE

Salsa night on the High Bridge, sponsored by one of the performance or cultural institutions on either side of the Harlem River, would be a low cost and interesting use of the space during evening hours.

EXAMPLE GATE, AS VIEWED FROM 170TH

This gate, modeled on the arches of the High Bridge, is just one design idea for the plaza gateway.

LANDSCAPE REDESIGN

HISTORIC IMAGE COURTESY OF THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY (www.nypl.org)

CURRENT VIEW OF THE STONE STEPS

Currently, you could pass by the steps and hardly know they were there! Overgrown trees and vegetation have obscured this im-portant path and historic asset.

CHAIR DAY!

TEMPORARY ACTIVATIONS OF PUBLIC SPACE:

As part of our design process, we brainstormed ideas to bring new visitors and current residents together in the first stages of the bridge’s re-opening. One idea was “Bring Your Chair Day,” where neighborhood residents could bring their own lawn chairs or other furniture to the High Bridge to enjoy the sun and the views. This is a low barrier, low cost event idea that has potential to transform the bridge for an afternoon, and bring people together from both sides of the river.

HIGH BRIDGE TEAM:

Stephen KennedyLaura ManvilleDominick Tribone


DEPOT PLACE & SEDGWICK AVE

Our access plan for the High Bridge pla-za, steps, and Harlem River Promenade is centered on making paths to the river friendly to pedestrians of all ages and abilities. Below are some ideas for how to connect to existing and future bicycle

infrastructure. We also thought about how to accomodate current transpor-tation uses at the site, and how to rec-oncile the current MTA and CSX tracks with a more active waterfront space.

This bicycle and pedestrian path along the river’s edge would run from Roberto Clemente State Park at W. Tremont Avenue in Morris Heights down to the new Mill Pond Park at 149th Street, providing connections between the Gateway Center, Morris Heights, High Bridge, and Melrose neighborhoods.

The diagrams below show how a pedestrian path along the river could be created while maintaining important existing access to the MTA’s yards. The main parking lot would be moved to the area between the Marjor Deegan and the tracks. Employees would use the existing overpass at the yards station. Truck access would be maintained to the western side of the yards, but the additional space along the water’s edge would be redeveloped as a pedestrian path, separated from the yards by a fence or living wall.

Our proposal is to add a visible and enforced crosswalk to aid future visitors to the promenade. The Depot Place crossing over thwe Deegan has more car lanes than is really needed. We propose removing parking and giving almost a full lane over to a pedestrian sidewalk and green space. This will also create a single visible path from the Bronx end of the High Bridge straight down to the water.

Specific improvements include:

• wider sidewalks• highly visible and marked intersection at Sedgwick and Depot Place• narrowing Depot Place to one lane in each direction and devoting additional space to pe-destrian and bike path

Sedgwick Avenue, which runs alongside the ex-pressway, is unfriendly to pedestrians to say the least. There are no places to cross safely and no sidewalk. The stairs from the High Bridge lead down to Sedgwick, only a few hundred feet from the Depot Place bridge, which is the only street for a mile in either direction that crosses both the Major Deegan and the Metro North tracks, pro-viding access directly to the waterfront. However, the street was designed as an access road for the highway, with pedestrian sidewalks as an after-thought. With the reinvestment in the High Bridge and historic stone steps, Sedgwick Avenue needs to be a more inviting and safe street for the pe-destrians who will make use of these assets.

HB Raise intersection at Depot Place and Sedgwick Avenue

Improve sidewalk and bicycle paths along Depot Place ramp and Exterior

Street

Greenway South along Harlem River edge

ACCESS DETAILS

SOUTHBOUND CONNECTION PEDESTRIAN RAMPACCESS TO THE HARLEM RIVER PROMENADE

IMPROVING PEDESTRIAN ACCESS

A new pedestrian ramp will provide a quick, easy way to access the Harlem River Promenade north of the High Bridge. Adding decking as the primary landing from Depot Place will also provide a the perfect spot to view the High Bridge and watch waterfront events.

MD Bronx, Meet Your Waterfront Plan HTTP://BRONX.MIT.EDU SPRING 2011 1 OF 2SITE & SYSTEMS PLANNING PRACTICUM DEPARTMENT OF URBAN STUDIES & PLANNING MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

MACOMBS DAM PARK-IT PLACE


MASTER PLAN

SECTION DIAGRAMS

PARK-IT PLACEPart-time market, part-time parking, part-time park. This site plan takes advantage of this large, underutilized space along the waterfront by transforming the site that currently serves as surface parking for Yankee Stadium into flexible, open space for recreation and commerce. By including green space along

the edges, the waterfront becomes more visible. Small inlets abut the land without the interference of the highway or CSX line and could be an opportunity for outdoor seating, park areas, and environmental remediation.

The addition of active and park space next to adjacent Mill Pond Park creates a more seamless connection between the two sites.

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This design proposes a safer pedestrian crossing at Exterior Street, a dangerous and confusing intersection that comes at a particularly important transitional space between the waterfront parks and key upland destinations. A simple raised crosswalk identifies a safer pedestrian route.

The addition of green space along the waterfront of the existing parking lot offers more direct access to the water. Transforming the lots into part-time parking through green paving and landscaping creates an open space for recreation.

Through landscaping, lighting, and other small scale design improvements, the path from 161st St. to Macombs Dam Bridge becomes safer and more pleasant.

KEY

New Pedestrian Path

Gabions

CREATING ACTIVE SPACESImagine taking a piece of the surface parking lots and dedicating it as flexible activity space. Off the Grid is a food truck gathering, where food trucks station themselves at different parking lots at different times all over the city. It presents an innovative and flexible way to re-use a parking lot. The space can also be used for other activities, like a day market, perhaps reminiscent of the Bronx Terminal Market, or a flea market.

GREEN SOLUTIONSIn some areas, there would be no parking at all and the space can be used as landscaped green edges along the waterfront. In other areas, it can be an open flexible space for part-time parking as well as recreation, sport, or play. By enhancing the area’s physical environment through green paving or planting trees, it can serve as an open space on off-game days.

ENHANCING CONNECTIONSPedestrian spaces and connecting pathways can be visually enhanced through art and improved lighting. Not only does this create a safer environment but evokes visual interest throughout transition spaces. Designing more visible spaces makes movement through these pathways easier, and clearly and legibly identifying destinations enchances wayfinding.

A

B

C

A B

C

Exterior Street Raised Crosswalk

MetroNorth Station /Macombs Dam Park

Mill Pond Park /Macombs Dam Park-It Place

Exterior Street Section 1” : 10’ Parking Lot Section 1” : 17’

Pedestrian Path Section 1” : 4’

Selective Clearing and Landscaping

10’ Paved Path2’ Clearance2’ Clearance

Flexible Open Space with Porous PavementWaterfront Green Space Streetfront Green Space

Off the Grid (San Francisco, CA) Fort Greene Flea Market (Brooklyn, New York) Vision of Bronx Harlem River Waterfront Edge Orange Bowl (Miami, FL) Race Street Connector (Philadelphia, PA) Brooklyn Bridge Lighting (Brooklyn, New York)

Porous PavementConstructed WetlandActivity Space

A B C

Judy (Zheng) JiaDaniel Tien SimonLizzie Woods

MD Bronx, Meet Your Waterfront Plan HTTP://BRONX.MIT.EDU SPRING 2011 2 OF 2SITE & SYSTEMS PLANNING PRACTICUM DEPARTMENT OF URBAN STUDIES & PLANNING MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

MD


SITE DESIGNS

Creating safe, attractive spaces for pedestrians doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. By mimicking the style of path and lighting used in the nearby Mill Pond Park, residents and visitors will experience a coherent, continuous path along the water that is separate from automobile traffic.

The construction of a pedestrian ramp provides a safe, direct, and highly visable method for residents and visitors to access the activated parking lots and the improved waterfront edges. Taking advantage of an existing but incomplete sidewalk, the ramp allows pedestrians to avoid the complicated and dangerous intersection on Macombs Dam Bridge.

Currently an afterthought, the space between the Metro-North Station and the waterfront parks could become an attractive means of directing people towards the river through artwork that celebrates rather than ignores the surrounding infrastructure

FLEXIBLE ACTIVITY SPACEHow would a flexible activity space look like on this site? Food trucks, for example, could complement the tailgating activities happening nearby on game days while bringing in commerce at the same time. It can also serve the local community by offering cheap and simple food options on off-game days. This proposal seeks to take advantage of the activity already occuring in this space while also making use of an underutilized space.

MACOMBS DAM

MACOMBS DAM BRIDGE TRANSITIONAL SPACE

PEDESTRIAN PATH

PEDESTRIAN RAMP TO METRO-NORTH

Exterior Street transforms from an empty throughway into a vibrant transitional space by engaging local artists to draw on the site’s history through painting, signs, and new colorful new netting underneath the Major Deegan.

ART AND CULTUREON EXTERIOR STREET

P5 Bronx, Meet Your Waterfront Plan httP://Bronx.Mit.edu sPring 2011 1 of 2site & sYsteMs Planning PracticuM Department of Urban StUDieS & planning maSSachUSettS inStitUte of technology

Pier 5 Water ParK is an attempt to be the place on the harlem river waterfront where nature and people meet. low-cost, natural ecological treat-ments can be used for environmental remediation and to create “eco-islands” under the bridges. While the cSX rail line directly cuts off access to the river itself, a spray park on pier 5, a pocket wetland, and a walkable water’s edge bring a new water experience to park visitors Spaces like pier 5 are also designed to be adaptable for medium-scale cultural events, something that is largely absent on the harlem river waterfront. for special events, the 149th St bridge, a lower car-traffic bridge in the area, may also be tem-porarily reclaimed for pedestrian use.

P5

an urBan Bird-Watching Wilderness

Perhaps the only one of its kind in all of NYC, a 5-acre pocket wetland near a dense urban setting and strong transport connections could be a powerful invest-ment in bringing back native habitat and wildlife to the Harlem River waterfront.

Native birds like the robin, red-tailed hawk, and downy woodpecker could call this new waterfront environment home along with a plethora of other native plants and animals. For locals unable to access the more distant, wild nature preserves, this could be a unique and powerful way to experience nature and its beauty.

taKing care oF the Water - storMWater ManageMent

As storms become more frequent, a big con-cern for quality of the Harlem River water is Combined Sewer Overflows, or CSOs.

Stormwater often flows through the same systems as untreated sewage, and in the event of a big storm can lead to direct spills into the Harlem River. A CSO spot is located under the 149th St bridge.

One strategy to limit these events, which are quite frequent along the Harlem River, is to divert some of the stormwater from flowing directly into the sewer system.

A pocket wetland proposed on the site cur-rently occupied by the Bronx Recycling Center is designed to divert stormwater from a signficant section of the Major Deegan into a wetland environment where it can not only be stored but also naturally filtered before it reaches the Harlem River.

robin, spotted near Mill Pond Park

red-tailed hawk, spotted in high Bridge Park

downy woodpecker, spotted in inwood hill

Pier 5Water ParKmaSter plan

Wetland ParK

WetlanD parK Section

outdoor ecological classrooM

Learning about the environment has become an increas-ingly important part of the curriculum for many schools in the Bronx and to groups like the Harlem River Rangers. Hands-on activities like bird-tracking, water-testing, and wild nature observation may be possible in specially-de-signed outdoor classrooms within the natural wetland.

eco-iSlanD

pop-Up fooD on the 149th St briDge

commUnity interSection repair

there are 6 bridges with metal sup-port structures that float in the mid-dle of the harlem river. the struc-ture under the 149th Street bridge can be transformed into an “eco-island,” where floating plant beds and oyster substrates filter the water biologically and fit within the existing metal grid structure.

Successfully trialed in portland, or and brooklyn, ny, a community intersection repair engages youth to remake a part of the community that is often overlooked: intersections.

along with becoming a community-build-ing and arts activity for locals, the pro-jects also aim to calm traffic along some of the busier thoroughfares in a neighbor-hood, which in this gateway intersection to the harlem river waterfront, would be most welcome.

With wide lanes and relatively-low car traffic, the 149th St bridge which connects with har-lem may be the perfect bridge for pedestrians to reclaim on a summer Sunday to bring the neighboring communities togeth-er around perhaps ... the world’s largest paella.

JESSICA FAINFRANNY RITCHIEALBERT CHING

P5 Bronx, Meet Your Waterfront Plan httP://Bronx.Mit.edu sPring 2011 2 of 2site & sYsteMs Planning PracticuM Department of Urban StUDieS & planning maSSachUSettS inStitUte of technology

flexible, open space is integrated into the de-sign scheme to accomodate a variety of outdoor events. revenue-generating or open to the pub-lic, the idea is to get people to the space...and get to know their waterfront.

outdoor eVentson pier 5

P5Pier 5 sPraY ParK

pier 5 Section

suPer Barrel rainWater Filterson pier 5When it rains, water that lands on the major Deegan expressway is goes directly into the harlem river. While not highly toxic, this water contains contaminants that add pol-lutants to the river. redirecting the water into giant rain barrels for later reuse would help address this issue. brightly colored barrels create iconic entrances to the park.

WalKaBle gaBion Water edge

Pier 5 FlexiBle PrograMMingBronx gateWaY sign and stage

imagine pier 5 as a celebration of water. river water quality improves with new, soft edges, highway runoff gets recycled through giant rain barrels, and a unique, intimate experience with nature is just south of the 149th Street bridge. We think this certainly deserves a monu-ment...and a splash. a seasonal spray feature will allow people to cool off and have fun.

a system using recycled rubble and gabions allows both people and animals to enjoy the river’s edge. the gabions slow down the water, allowing for new riparian growth. a boardwalk provides resting spots and unique views.

JESSICA FAINFRANNY RITCHIEALBERT CHING

LA Bronx, Meet Your Waterfront Plan HTTP://BRONX.MIT.EDU SPRING 2011 1 of 5SITE & SYSTEMS PLANNING PRACTICUM DEPARTMENT OF URBAN STUDIES & PLANNING MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

LINCOLN AVENUEMASTER PLANLincoln Avenue in the South Bronx is one of the few remaining streets that ends directly at the waterfront. As a result, it is a prime location for developing waterfront access, public open space, and boat access. Lincoln Avenue is located in a historic area that contains several major industries, alongside an ethnically diverse community, a thriving arts community, and several schools. Additionally, the end of Lincoln Avenue at the Harlem River is the site of one of many combined sewer outfalls which empty contaminated water from Bronx’s streets directly into the river during heavy rainfall. While providing waterfront open space for the community, Lincoln Avenue could also play a role in improving the water quality of the Harlem River. Thus, Lincoln Avenue is a site which offers many opportunities to bring together recreational, cultural, and environmental goals into one project.

The proposals for Lincoln Avenue explore the potential of developing waterfront access at the Harlem River. Alongside this, it was recognized that additional projects around Lincoln Avenue would be important to ensure the viability and connectivity of the waterfront proposals. First, it was important to strengthen the connection between the residential neighborhood north of the Major Deegan Expressway and the waterfront. Thus, it is envisaged that this connection could be strengthened by improving the streetscape along Lincoln Avenue from

E 138th Street south to the waterfront (with better paving, lighting, and street furniture) and by continuing to apply stormwater management strategies along the length of the street. The public open space at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue, E. 138th Street and 3rd Avenue presents the opportunity to undertake a Rain Garden which will collect rainfall from nearby rooftops, detaining this water so that it does not burden the stormwater system further, and use it to irrigate an enhanced on-street garden. Finally, between the Rain Garden and the Waterfront there would be a series of tree trenches which are also capable of detaining stormwater.

Bruckner Boulevard is the nearest east-west cross street to the Lincoln Avenue Waterfront proposals. Bruckner has the potential to become a vibrant main street with residential and retail uses, to further activate the water’s edge. Within the last few years, Bruckner has already begun to transform. This former antiques and manufacturing corridor is now home to many artists and arts organizations and a new moderate-income residential building with ground floor retail space (at the intersection with Willis Avenue). Bruckner’s western end is under the 3rd Avenue Bridge. The space underneath the bridge does not function well for drivers, pedestrians or cyclists. An outdoor gallery makes use of this underutilized space, capitalizing on the artist community and highlighting the transportation infrastructure in the South Bronx.

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RECREATIONAL

CULTURAL

ENVIRONMENTAL

PROJECTS:

1. LINCOLN AVENUE WATERFRONT

2. RAIN GARDEN AT 3RD/ 138TH

3. BRUCKNER BOULEVARD

1

2

3 LINC

OLN

AVEN

UEBRUCKNER BOULEVARD

E. 138TH STREET

THIRD AVENUE BRIDGE

MAJOR DEEGAN EXPRESSWAY

ALEX

ANDE

R AV

ENUE

STORMWATERTREATMENTSWALES

Living Machine, Big Sur, CA

Water Treatment Park, Essen, Germany

OVERFLOW PIPE

GROWING MEDIUMGRAVEL

DRAINAGEPIPES

WATER FEATUREGirona, Spain

Enschede, Netherlands

Stata Center, Cambridge, M

A

MURALSNoah’s Ark M

ural by Bronx artists Tats Cru

Jungle Mural by Bronx artists Tats Cru

Lean-to Wall by artist Maruja Fuentes

PLAYGROUNDContainer Pool, New

York

Tire Park, Kawasaki, Japan

Recycled Playground, Netherland

BOAT ACCESSConcrete Park, Bronx, N

ew York

Hudson River, New York

Hunts Point, New York

LIGHTINGRiver Lights, Boston

Water Quality Testing Lights, New York

Hot Metal Bridge, Pittsburgh

PUBLIC SPACE

Olympic Park, Seattle

Gantry Plaza State Park, Queens, New York

Hunts Point, New York

FENCING

Seattle City Light Station

Playground Fence by Tejo Remy

Fence by designer Demakersvan

INFILTRATION PLANTERS & TRENCHES

Mint Plaza, San Francisco

Portland, Oregon

OVERFLOW PIPE GROWING MEDIUM

GRAVEL

RAIN WATERCOLLECTION

P.S.1, New York

Dresden, Germany

OVERFLOW PIPE


WATERCOLLECTIONFUNNEL

DRAINAGE PIPE

LINCOLN AVENUE TEAM:

Celina Balderas GuzmanShoko TakemotoRachel Blatt


20 ft 80 ft 160 ft40 ft

LINCOLN AVENUE

WATERFRONT PUBLIC SPACE

RECREATIONAL

1. PUBLIC SPACE2. BOAT ACCESS3. PLAYGROUND4. WATER FEATURE

5. PUBLIC ART WALLS/ FENCING

CULTURAL

LINC

OLN

AVEN

UE

BRUCKNER BOULEVARD

ENVIRONMENTAL

WATERFRONT

SECTION A

A

LA

6. STORMWATER SWALES

1

2

3

5

5

5

5

4

6

VIEW OF LINCOLN AVENUE TOWARDS THE WATERFRONT SHOWING STORMWATER SWALES

VIEW LOOKING NORTH ON LINCOLN AVENUE SHOWING WATERFRONT PUBLIC SPACE

As one of the few streets extending directly to the waterfront, Lincoln Avenue is an obvious site for waterfront access and public open space. However, the available area for waterfront access is small. Nonetheless, there is an opportunity to create space by expanding the pedestrian sidewalks at Lincoln Avenue given the generous width of the street. Also, if the road leading to the waste transfer station was realigned it could create additional space at the waterfront. Given these changes, there can be enough space at the waterfront for waterfront access, public open space, and boat access. Given the number of schools nearby (which amount to over 8,000 school children), there could also be space for a playground at the waterfront.

In the short-term, it is likely that the adjacent parcels will remain as they are. Although in the long-term it is possible that they will be redeveloped. The South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation has already undertaken a planning study for one of the adjacent parcels. In the short-term, there is an

opportunity to use walls and fencing to demarcate the public space and to ensure that these adjacent parcels do not detract from the waterfront experience. Walls could be surfaces for murals or artwork by local artists. There are also numerous examples of decorative fencing. In this way, walls or fencing could be used to add to public space by becoming public art themselves.

Lastly, Lincoln Avenue is a good opportunity to incorporate environmental goals into public open space. Along the expanded sidewalk there could be a series of swales which capture stormwater running down the street curb. These swales would be planted, improving the quality of the street. This system of swales would run along the block at Lincoln Avenue, ending as a water channel which empties into the Harlem River. This channel could be a water feature for the public, allowing people to see and possibly interact with the water.

BOAT ACCESSWATERFRONT PUBLIC SPACEPLAYGROUND OAK POINT CONNECTORSTORMWATER SWALES

PUBLIC ART


3RD AVENUE

LINC

OLN

AVE

NUE

THE RAIN GARDEN PLAZA CONNECTING THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE WATERFRONTIn order to connect the surrounding neighborhood to the Waterfront at the end of Lincoln Avenue, we propose that the intersection of Lincoln Avenue, 3rd Avenue, and E 138th Street be redesigned as a new Rain Garden Plaza to serve as the symbolic entrance to the Waterfront. By enhancing the Plaza, a more safe, lively and green open space would be created. The Plaza will not only provide a space for community members to sit and gather, but also provide a pleasant walking experience for pedestrian visitors coming to the Waterfront from the nearby subway stop.

THE RAIN GARDEN PLAZA

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AT LINCOLN, 3RD AVE, & E 138TH

RECREATIONAL

1. PUBLIC SPACE2. BENCHES3. GARDEN4. WATER FEATURE

5. PUBLIC ART

CULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL

6. INFILTRATION PLANTERS & TRENCHES7. RAIN WATER COLLECTION

3RD AVENUE E 138 STREET

INFILTRATION PLANTERS & TRENCHES

OVERFLOW PIPE GROWING MEDIUM

GRAVEL

Mint Plaza, San Francisco

Portland, Oregon

RAIN WATERCOLLECTION &PUBLIC ART

P.S.1, New York

Dresden, Germany

OVERFLOW PIPE


DRAINAGE PIPE

WATERCOLLECTIONFUNNEL

PUBLIC SPACE BENCHES GARDEN PUBLIC SPACE BENCHES GARDEN PUBIC SPACE BENCHES GARDEN5. PUBLIC ART4. WATER FEATURE

6. STORMWATER INFILTRATION TRENCHES 6. STORMWATER INFILTRATION PLANTERS

6. STORMWATER INFILTRATION PLANTERS 6. STORMWATER INFILTRATION PLANTERS7. RAIN WATERCOLLECTION

There are several opportunities in enhancing the Rain Garden Plaza and creating a high-quality public space at this location. Historically, this area was one of the first downtown centers in the Bronx. The remnants of this era can be seen in the current Chase Bank building that used to be the old North Side Board of Trade Building. These buildings, along with the Plaza design, add a symbolic character to the southern portion of Lincoln Avenue. Socially, this area is surrounded by public housing buildings that are home to many families living in this neighborhood. As public parks are limited throughout the Bronx, enhancing the quality of the existing space by planting more trees and creating gardens can be a much needed amenity to the community. Environmentally, designing the green spaces with significant stormwater management capacity may be effective in lessening the stormwater management pressure towards the downstream of Lincoln Avenue. By placing low-cost stormwater infiltration tree trenches and planters, the public spaces will not only be greened but also “blued” - piloting new systems to solve drainage issues and potentially improving the water quality of stormwater drainage that is harming the Harlem River.


RANDALL’S ISLAND

FEDEX

NEW YORKPOST

REDEVELOPMENT: ARTISTS LOFTSLOW INCOME RESIDENCESMIXED USE

PULASKI PARK

INDUSTRIAL ANDAUTO-ORIENTED USES

MIX OF RESIDENCESAND INDUSTRIAL USES

INDUSTRIAL

3RD AVENUE BRIDGE

This area is underutilized and difficult to manuver for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The plaza addition would simplify the paths of movement and would benefit the arts organizations nearby.

The 3rd Avenue Bridge Gallery is at the western end of Bruckner Boulevard. The gallery proposal creates a cobblestone plaza in the underutilized space; cobblestone is the historic paving material on site. Further, we propose the installation of colorful lighting elements to brighten the space. This will add visual interest and improve the feeling of safety in this shadowy spot. Our hope is that this space become a place for the many arts institutions in the Bruckner corridor to display their work, for example stationary art objects, films, or performances. We hope that this space might foster collaboration and community spirit among South Bronx artists and art enthusiasts.

3RD AVENUE BRIDGE

UNDER BRIDGE GALLERY

OUTDOOR GALLERY

PLAZA DESIGN

BRUCKNER BOULEVARD CONNECTOR

LA

AT 3RD AVENUE & BRUCKNER BLVD

BROOKLYNDUMBO ART UNDER THE BRIDGE FESTIVAL

BARCELONASERGIO SEBASTIAN FRANCO-CONFETTISERGIO SEBASTIAN FRANCO-CONFETTI

SPORADIC PARKING

UNMARKED LANES

STAIR TO BRIDGE AT BACK OF SHADOWY AREA

MILWAUKEEURBAN PLAZA

SOUTH BRONXGREENWAY

Bruckner Bar & Gallery

Clock Tower

Larrea StudioGeiger Mountmaking

& Design

Dr. Sofa- The Furniture Surgeon

Spectral Masters

Digital Imaging

Beethoven

Pianos

LOOKING SOUTH

LINCOLN AVE

3RD AVENUE BRIDGE

Bruckner Boulevard is the nearest east-west cross street to the Lincoln Avenue Waterfront proposals.Bruckner has the potential to become a vibrant main street with residential and retail uses, which would further activate the water’s edge. Within the last few years, Bruckner has already begun to transform. This former antiques and manufacturing corridor is now home to many artists and arts organizations and a new moderate-income residential building with ground floor retail space opened earlier this year at the intersection of Bruckner and Willis Avenue.


IMPLEMENTATION One goal of the Lincoln Avenue proposals is to bring the diverse Mott Haven community together. Each proposal involves a variety of partners from government agencies, to community groups, and the business community. Each green infrastructure and construction project is an opportunity for workforce development and education and each proposal includes space for local artists to exhibit their work.

In the long term, we believe that zoning will be one of the most influential tools for expanding waterfront access along the southern edge of the Bronx. The recent Waterfront Rezoning Map is shown at far left. While most of our proposals are in publicly owned spaces, each proposal would benefit greatly from working with area partners for maintenance and programming.

At the upland plaza at 3rd Ave and 138th St. we suggest looking into the NYCHA’s Greening Program. The parcels east of Lincoln Avenue are owned by NYCHA. The rain garden and linear swale proposals would be a great opportunity to involve NYCHA residents in building and maintaining green infrastructure.

It is also important to consider HUD’s Section 3 Resident Training/Employment Program. This program’s goal is to foster local economic development and to bring HUD contracts to the very people who rely on HUD financing. The Section 3 program requires that “recipients of certain HUD financial assistance, to the greatest extent feasible, provide job training, employment, and contracting opportunities for low- or very-low income residents in connection with projects and activities in their neighborhoods.”

ZONING & LAND OWNERSHIP

LA

LINCOLN AVENUE WATERFRONT

The Lincoln Avenue proposals would evolve through at least four phases. The first would be the investment at the water’s edge, The second would be streetscaping improvements along Lincoln and Bruckner and the Rain Garden at Lincoln and 138th St. Third would be the gallery under the 3rd Avenue Bridge. Finally in the long term, there is potential in redeveloping the waterfront parcels.

PHASING

PHASE 1 PHASE 2 PHASE 3 PHASE 4

ZONING MAP OWNERSHIP MAP

PRIVATE OWNERSHIP

PUBLIC AUTHORITY, STATE, OR FEDERAL

CITY OWNED

TAX EXEMPED

UNKNOWN

3RD AVE

LINCO

LN A

VE

ALEX

ANDE

R AV

E

WILL

IS A

VE

MAJOR DEEGAN EXWY

BRUCKNER BLVD

132 ST

E 138 ST

E 135 ST

MOR

RIS

AVE

3RD AVE

BROO

K AV

E

NEW YORK CITY HOUSING





BOARD OF EDUCATIONNYC

TRANSIT

NYCPOLICE

PLAYGROUND

PARK

PARKHEALTH

BRUCKNER BY THE BRIDGE

PUBLIC HOUSING

DEPARTMENT OFGENERAL SERVICES

DEPT OFENVIRONMENT


NEW YORK CITY HOUS-

INGNEW YORK CITY HOUS-

ING

DEPT OFPARKS & REC

DEPT OFTRANSPORTATION

OPEN SPACE & OUTDOOR REC.

PARKING FACILITIES

VACANT LAND

MIXED-RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL & OFFICE

INDUSTRIAL AND MANUFACTURING

TRANSPORTATION & UTILITY

PUBLIC FACILTTIES & INSTITUTIONS

ONE & TWO FAMILY BLDGS

MULTI-FAMILY WALK UP BLDGS

MULTI-FAMILY ELEVATOR BUILDINGS

3RD AVE

LINCO

LN A

VE

ALEX

ANDE

R AV

E

WILL

IS A

VE

MAJOR DEEGAN EXWY

BRUCKNER BLVD

132 ST

E 138 ST

E 135 ST

MOR

RIS

AVE

3RD AVE

BROO

K AV

E






BOARD OF EDUCATIONNYC

TRANSIT

NYCPOLICE

PLAYGROUND

PARK

PARKHEALTH

BRUCKNER BY THE BRIDGEPUBLIC HOUSING

DEPARTMENT OFGENERAL SERVICES

DEPT OFENVIRONMENT


NEW YORK CITY HOUSING NEW YORK

CITY HOUSING

DEPT OFPARKS & REC

DEPT OFTRANSPORTATION

GOVERNMENT PARTNERS COMMUNITY PARTNERS BUSINESS PARTNERS

FINANCING PARTNERS NYC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONNYC DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKSNYC HOUSING AUTHORITYMAYOR’S FUND TO ADVANCE NEW YORK CITYNYC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITYUS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

SOUTH BRONX OVERALL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONBRONX COUNCIL FOR THE ARTSMOTT HAVEN HERALD

HARLEM RIVER YARD (WASTE TRANSFER STATION)NEW YORK POSTFEDEX

ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERS EPA URBAN WATERS FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPGREENER, GREATER COMMUNITIESNYC ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONNY STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

BRONX COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITYFRIENDS OF BROOK PARKSUSTAINABLE SOUTH BRONXBRONX RIVER ALLIANCEWILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

NEW YORK CITY WATER WORKS

EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS

NYC DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLSNYC DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTNYC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONWORKFORCE 1

GHETTO FILM SCHOOLHARLEM RIVER RANGERSROCKING THE BOATTHE BRONX DEFENDERS

HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE ST. JEROME SCHOOLBRONX CHARTER SCHOOL FOR CHILDRENST. PLUS V SCHOOLST. LUKE SCHOOL

PROGRAMMING PARTNERS NYC DEPARTMENT OF PARKS BRONX CULTURE TROLLEYLDR STUDIO GALLERYLONGWOOD ART GALLERY @ HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGEPREGONES THEATER

BRUCKNER BAR & GALLERY

PARTNERS CURRENTLY ACTIVE ON SITEPOTENTIAL PARTNERS

Documents

Bronx Meet Your Waterfront Site Design Posters