Fordham Plaza Conceptual Design Study

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Project Scope

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Project Scope

View North from E 189th Street

Project Timeline

What We’ve Heard | Advisory Committee | April 2, 2008

What We’ve Heard | Urban Design

The Plaza’s Image needs an uplift • The existing plaza “lacks character” • At night, the plaza is dark and feels unsafe • The plaza isn’t clean, litter and vermin are a problem • The flea market is not attractive

* Not an exhaustive list of all responses, but represents common themes

What We’ve Heard | Urban Design

Plaza Amenities need to be more comfortable and welcoming •Need more trees and plantings • You can’t see in -- views are blocked by shelters and market stalls • Not enough protection from rain, wind, and noise • Pedestrian and bus space aren’t clearly distinguished • Tables and seating should be more usable and attractive

* Not an exhaustive list of all responses, but represents common themes

What We’ve Heard | Transportation

Fordham Plaza is an important transit hub • MNR entrances should be well-lit and inviting, and include Ticket Vending Machines • Jaywalking on Fordham Rd – need safer crossings • Bus noise and fumes detract from the plaza • Heavy traffic congestion along Fordham/Webster and Fordham/3rd • Not enough sidewalk space at bus stops • Bike parking is needed

* Not an exhaustive list of all responses, but represents common themes

What We’ve Heard | Retail + Programming Plaza uses should complement the neighborhood and create a lively public space • Retailing at the plaza should complement area merchants • Retail uses need to be balanced with public space uses • The plaza should support concerts, cultural events, and activities • Security is important; need more police presence • Need a range of Plaza retail– especially places to eat • Long-term care and maintenance of the plaza is a concern

* Not an exhaustive list of all responses, but represents common themes

What We’ve Heard | What could happen at Fordham Plaza?

Plaza Elements: • Seating • Water feature • Drinking Fountain • Better signage • Trees and landscaping • Better lighting • Shade Structure • Public Art • Iconic design

Retail/Programming: • Information booth (Botanical Garden, Zoo, events, Fordham Rd stores) • Bronx Zoo/Botanical Garden store • Farmers’ Market • Outdoor Café • Food vendors • Cultural Events (i.e. summer concerts) • Recreation opportunities • Wi-Fi Access

Transportation: • Improved MNR station access with waiting area and TVMs • Better bus shelters and adequate space for loading/unloading passengers • Control of jaywalkers – decorative fencing across Fordham Road

* Not an exhaustive list of all responses, but represents common themes

What We’ve Heard | The Heart of the Bronx

Fordham Plaza should be: • The Heart of the Bronx: a destination in its own right and an iconic public space • a reflection of the diversity of the area • safe and well-lit • clean and well-maintained • full of activity • an important transportation hub • a balance of transit and public space uses • green and well-planted • a “Connecting element” between Fordham Road and Arthur Avenue, Bronx Zoo, NYBG, Fordham University, etc.

Transit Plaza Precedents Fordham Plaza: •10 bus lines •BRT on the way •Metro-North Railroad

Precedents | Size Comparisons

New York City Parks and Plazas at the Same Scale

Precedents

How can Fordham Plaza be both an efficient Bus/Rail Hub and a vital and interesting Public Space?

Precedents | Transit Plaza Comparisons

Transit Plazas at the Same Scale

Union Square | New York City, NY Balance of Passive Park Uses and Programmed Plaza Uses

Establishment of LDC - 1978 Formation of NYC’s first BID – 1984 NYC’s first Greenmarket - 1984 Renovation of Plaza – 1985 Lighting Renovation - 1999

Union Square | New York City, NY

Heavily Programmed Space: Major Transit Interchange: 8 subways and 7 bus routes

Playgrounds Street vendors

Greenmarket

News Stands

Dog Run

Holiday Market

Restaurant

Special Events, including sponsored events

Union Square | New York City, NY

Activity at the edges, where a “stage” is formed by plaza steps Green interior: lawns and pathways create an informal park setting

Union Square | New York City, NY

Bus Stop Subway Entrance Dog Run Playground Café/Greenmarket Vendors/Greenmarket Water Feature Seating on Steps Informal Amphitheater

amenities

Pioneer Courthouse Square | Portland, OR

• Retail garage acquired in the early 1970s • Opened in 1984 to become “Portland’s Living Room” • Managed by the non-profit Pioneer Courthouse Square, Inc. • Major light rail/bus transit hub

From Parking Lot to Public Space, through Community Vision and City Partnership

Pioneer Courthouse Square | Portland, OR

A Space Designed and Managed to be Programmed

• Integrated Information Center • Underground interpretive cinema • Plaza seating creates two “amphitheaters” • Café, chess tables, and “lectern” • Wired for lighting and sound • Starbucks, ATM, vending carts • Onsite event production team • 300 events each year • Events and programs fund operation

Pioneer Courthouse Square | Portland, OR

Info Center ATM Cafe Food Vendors Theater/Amphitheatre Water Feature Seating Light Rail Bus Stops

amenities

Patsaouras Transit Plaza/Union Station | Los Angeles, CA

A Major Intermodal Transit Hub with a focus on Passenger Amenities • More than 40 bus/shuttle lines • MetroRapid BRT • Subway (Red Line) • Light Rail (Blue/Gold Lines) • Metrolink Commuter Rail • Amtrak Intercity Rail

Patsaouras Transit Plaza/Union Station | Los Angeles, CA

Public Art and Custom Amenities put the focus on rider experience

Patsaouras Transit Plaza/Union Station | Los Angeles, CA

Connection to renovated rail terminal at Historic Union Station

Patsaouras Transit Plaza/Union Station | Los Angeles, CA

Underground Pedestrian Connection to Union Station

Shopping

Water Feature

Elevator

Food Vendors

Public Art

Bus Stop Link to Trains

amenities

Hakaniemi Market Square | Helsinki, Finland

Combines gathering space, vibrant market, and transit access in the center of a historic working-class district

Hakaniemi Market Square | Helsinki, Finland

•Historic Market Hall year-round •Summer produce market •Special events

A large open plaza that comes alive with a Seasonal Market

Hakaniemi Market Square | Helsinki, Finland

Transit Hub Adjacent to Square • Primary transit hub for eastern Helsinki • Tram and Bus facility alongside • Subway below

Hakaniemi Market Square | Helsinki, Finland

Hakaniemi Market Square | Helsinki, Finland

Tram Metro Station Bus Stops Ferry Landing Shopping (Market) Food (Market) Garden

amenities

Fordham Plaza Existing Conditions

Fordham Plaza | Existing Conditions

existing conditions

Fordham Plaza | Physical Constraints

MNR Station Connection Bridge Structure

bridge structure and station connections

Fordham Plaza | Physical Constraints

Bus Route (thickness indicates # of routes) Bus Stop Bus Stop (unloading only) Bus Layover Area Fordham Place Loading Area MNR Station Entrance

existing transit circulation

Fordham Plaza | Physical Constraints

Open Loading Closed Pedestrian Access Vehicular Access

building facades

Plaza Elements

Fordham Plaza | Plaza Elements

Bench

Battery Bosque Fountain

Battery Park Bosque

Water Feature

Sitwall Madrid, Spain Paley Park

Fog Fountain

Geneva, Switzerland

Movable Seating

Paley Park

Fordham Plaza | Plaza Structures

Transit Entrance WMATA Subway Entrance Proposal Standard MTA Shelter

Bus Shelter

Signage

Rosa Parks Transit Center, Detroit

Shade Structure

34th Street Partnership

Stage/Bandshell

Kowsky Plaza

Naumberg Bandshell, Central Park

Fordham Plaza | Food and Retail Elements

Food Kiosk

Battery Bosque Kiosk

Market Shed Ithaca Farmer’s Market

Outdoor Cafe

Market Stalls Shake Shack, Madison Square Park

Union Square Greenmarket

Info/Tickets Kiosk

Sit-down Restaurant Bryant Park Grill, Bryant Park

Chinatown Information Kiosk

Fordham Plaza | Nightlife + Lighting

Immersive Enviroment created by Projected Light Punctuation, both day and night

Castle Clinton, Battery Park

Staples Center, Los Angeles

Luminous Kiosks

Dreaming in Color, Seattle Illuminated Kiosk, Paris

Light as Public Art

Even Illumination improves visibility and navigation Cornell Plaza, New York

Glowing Waterway, Unna, Germany

Fordham Plaza | Seasonal Possibilities

Fall: Local Festivals

Summer: Summer Concerts South Street Seaport

Winter: Holiday Lighting Spring: Greenmarket

Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland, Oregon

Fordham Plaza Public Charrette | Interactive Exercise

Your Challenge •Place the elements provided on the plaza map as you see fit. Consider how they work together. Create your own! •Indicate important links, centers of activity, or interactions. •Draw in any additional ideas. •Give your scheme a title that expresses your idea. •Choose the five most important aspects of your scheme and report them to the group.

Fordham Plaza Public Charrette | Interactive Exercise

Questions to Consider • How can Fordham Plaza become “The Heart of the Bronx?” • How can Fordham Plaza succeed as both a transit hub and gathering space? •What are the most important services and amenities to include? •Which activities should be close to one another? Which ought to be separated? •What could bring the Plaza to life both day and night? In all seasons?