Envisioning Hudson Square

COMMUNITY SEEKS VISION FOR REMAINING PROPERTIES Convenes Design Charrette Of Experts, Community And Property Owners UPS Site Proposed For Department of Sanitation Garage Among Target Properties (New York, NY – October 25, 2007) – The Friends of Hudson Square in recognition of the potential opportunity to protect community character and build green space as “soft-sites” are still available for redevelopment, has convened an “Envisioning Hudson Square” Design Charrette announced Phil Mouquinho, a long-term resident and business owner and a member of Manhattan Community Board Two.

A panel of five project teams has been invited to provide their design and aesthetic guidance to develop a vision for this distinctive and still emerging neighborhood. Today, Mr. Mouquinho announced that ArquitectonicaGEO, SPaN Architects, LTL Architects, Flank Architects, and Zakrzewski + Hyde Architects with Starr Whitehouse are in the process of completing their submissions in time for the October 29th public showing. Friends of Hudson Square and Manhattan Community Board Two anticipate extensive input from amongst community residents and business people, local Community Boards, the Canal West Coalition, the TriBeCa Community Association, Elected Officials, urban planning professionals and local property-owners who have all been asked to participate in this inclusive “visioning and planning” grass-roots collaboration.

Envisioning Hudson Square” is an architectural design charrette for the neighborhood bounded by West and Hudson Streets from Leroy to Canal Streets and including Pier 40. The architectural firms are submitting original designs that anticipate a rezoning of the area, the creation of public open space with linkages to the Hudson River Park, and a solution to DSNY’s requirement for a new Sanitation Garage location and salt pile.

The public is invited to view and discuss the exhibit. Hudson Square is noted for its large super blocks including the St. Johns Center and the UPS Downtown Distribution Facility and has high-end office tenants including MTV, Saatchi & Saatchi, Verizon and cosmetic’s giant L’Oreal and a healthy slice of new residential developments including Philip Johnson’s Urban Glass House, 304 Spring Street, 505 Greenwich, the Historic Ear Inn, and P.J. Charlton’s Restaurant, as well as local businesses.

Area residents and property owners have spoken with one voice against a Sanitation Department Three District Consolidated Garage proposal and have offered thirteen alternative sites seeking a better planning solution.
“We are extremely lucky to all be involved in this cohesive neighborhood, and whether we live in, work in or represent Hudson Square, we all share in a committed concern for the integrity and welfare of this community,” explains Mr. Mouquinho. “We all understand the value and importance of land decisions on the feel of our neighborhood, and the quality of life we can enjoy as residents as well as the intrinsic value of protecting balanced and well considered land development.”

The first public meeting of the Design Charrette was held on July 17th. At that time, the expert project teams were engaged in a public discussion of vision and “wishlists” for the neighborhood speaking directly to Developer Groups, historic preservationists, environmentalists, waterfront advocates, and community leaders. The all-day session also allowed participants to join in a walking tour of Hudson Square, and engage in a Technical Roundtable to address issues including Department of Sanitation (DSNY) plans, traffic and quality of life issues, open space and an update on the Hudson River Park. A Community Roundtable followed, involving residents, business and property owners in interactive question and answers resulting in a meaningful dialogue.

One of the most significant parcels to be considered is the 427,000 sf “UPS site” bounded by Spring, West, King and Washington Streets, which is considered critical within the community. While UPS has sought to develop this site and had almost completed its RFP search for a Developer partner back in 2004, the Department of Sanitation stepped in acting as the lead City Planning agency. They have threatened to condemn a property, which has been integral to UPS Westside operations forcing upon them a DSNY Consolidated Garage. This would result in associated significant height, bulk, and community impacts and put 600 UPS New York City-based union jobs unnecessarily at risk. Ultimate development of this parcel has the potential to protect or impair community view corridors, to hurt the local economy and potential tax base, and worsen traffic congestion, safety and air, noise and associated quality of life issues for area residents and workers and Hudson River Park users.

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE:

The “Envisioning Hudson Square” exhibit opens to the Public starting on October 29th and will close on November 21st. Exhibition hours will be Weekdays from noon to 6pm and Saturdays from noon to 4pm (closed Sundays) and will take place at the St Johns Center, 570 Washington Street (NW corner of Houston Street).
Additional information about the Design Charrette meetings is available from Mr.Michael Kramer, Project Director at [email protected].

The Friends of Hudson Square is an organization representing residents, property owners, local businesses and workers that coalesced in its opposition to the development of a consolidated DSNY / United Parcel Service garage, fueling station, and salt storage facility at Spring and West Streets facing the unfair burden of servicing three Community Districts.

FROM: Friends of Hudson Square
Manhattan Community Board Two
Philip Mouquinho 212-924-9532

Contact: Michael Kramer, Project Director – cell 917-622-5154 [email protected]

http://ny.metro.us/metro/local/article/The_local_vision/10518.html