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Project Details
Architect: W Architecture and Landscape
Architecture LLP
Award: National AIA Award for Regional and Urban
Design 2005
Implementation Status: Phase 1 under construction,
2006.
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Background
A Harlem waterfront renaissance was the dream of a community.
The goal of the neighborhood coaliton of 40 groups was to make a
destination on the Hudson River by creating a park from an existing
parking lot . The Master Plan, incorporating a site of
appriximately 42 acres located between 125th Street and 135th
Street from Broadway to the Hudson River, was to promote area
revitalization and diversification, community involvement, job
opportunites and local entrepreneurship.
W Architecture, with the help of the community, completed the 3
phase Master Plan and designed and produced construction documents
of 2 of the acres for Phase 1: Waterfront Park and Piers for the
New York City Economical Development Corporation. Though the team
included experts in urban development, economics and engineering,
it was gratifying that the City specified that a designer be the
leader of the team.
Implementation Status
The Three-Phase Master Plan was submitted to Manhattan Community
Board 9 and approved in September of 2003. In designing the Master
Plan, we were careful to follow the client’s requirement that
the three phases be able to overlap. As a result, while we began
implementing the design of Phase One (Waterfront Park and Piers) in
November of 2003, NYC EDC concurrently began coordination with
transportation agencies to advance elements of Phase Two
(Transportation Improvements). Some improvements, like the ferry
landings, were then incorporated into our Phase One drawings, while
others, like the intermodal station, are placed on a longer time
horizon. NYC EDC also took the step of coordinating with NYC
Department of City Planning to begin the process of implementing
Phase Three (Community and Economic Development) through a rezoning
study of the area. With the initiation of construction of Phase One
in 2006, the physical transformation began. Construction will be
complete in 2007. Full implementation of the Master Plan means the
full economic and community development of the neighborhood, which
will take many years to accomplish while all three phases come to
fruition.
Public Process
Building on the past work of the community and in communication
with Manhattan Community Board 9, the Master Plan was developed in
a process focused around regular meetings of an inclusive Working
Group. In addition, numerous evening meetings were held with
Community Board 9, and its Harlem Piers Committee, where progress
was discussed in smaller group settings. The Working Group was
comprised of representatives from 40 groups including local
organizations, stakeholders, elected officials, government agencies
and surrounding institutions. Some of our best ideas came from
community input. Because this project received so much scrutiny, we
had to develop a decision-making model that was both directed and
transparent – so that when we came up with creative options,
such as the unique pier arrangement, we had a repository of trust
with the community to get the green light.
Community Impact
W Architecture prepared an economic development analysis for the
study area, including a review of uses complementary to existing
uses and community visions, uses that promote economic development,
revenue generating uses that cover waterfront open space
maintenance costs and other costs related to redevelopment, uses
suggested in the Vision Plan, and a ferry market assessment. The
overall analysis looked at the underlying economic trends of the
neighborhoods and determined that there was latent retail demand in
the neighborhood. The analysis also determined that there is
significant job creation potential from the institutions that ring
the area, if space can be developed for jobs within the
neighborhood.
Overall Sustainable Contribution
The connection of the community to the waterfront is hopefully
the catalyst which will help trigger renewal of this forgotten
valley at the end of 125th Street. By changing traffic patterns,
the area will become more of a destination and less of a place to
pass through to get to the highway. Gas stations, car repair and
other car related uses will be joined by a larger mix. Thus begins
the development of a more sustainable community.
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| A vision for West Harlem Waterfront Park |
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| Project development meeting |
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| Existing conditions and proposed plan |
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| 2005 Groundbreaking Ceremony |
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| Phase I |
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