New York’s Hudson Square neighborhood is getting a $27 million revamp.
The area, which once housed New York’s printing industry, is filled with more than 1,000 businesses working in advertising, architecture, media and design.
To reflect this shift in industries, public spaces including sidewalks, parks and other outdoor venues will be refashioned to “capture the creative energies contained within the buildings,ˮ said the Hudson Square Connection Business Improvement District, which is financing the project with funds from New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the New York City Council.
The first phase enhancements will include transforming the park at Spring Street and Sixth Avenue into a welcoming gateway to Hudson Square with new seating, lighting and trees.
Spring Street, which connects Hudson Square to SoHo on the east and Hudson River Park on the west, will become a “main street” with distinctive new lighting,
And WalkNYC pedestrian wayfinding signs will be installed throughout the neighborhood.
“Hudson Square is a growing neighborhood that plays home to a diverse array of creative companies and individuals,” said NYCEDC President Kyle Kimball.
“Our investment in this community helps to ensure the success of businesses in the area, while also significantly bettering the infrastructure and providing critical upgrades that will benefit Hudson Square both now and in the future.”
“I’m proud to partner with Hudson Square Connection to begin these renovations. In recent years, Hudson Square has become home to many of New York City’s thriving and innovative businesses. With this significant investment in the infrastructure of the neighborhood, we are ensuring that New York continues to attract businesses and employment opportunities in the creative sector,” said NYC Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn.
In addition to matching the City’s funds for the phase I improvements, the Hudson Square Connection will invest $1.2 million for its work with the Department of Parks and Recreation – which recently recognized the neighborhood as a “platinum model” for urban forestry and sustainability – and private property owners to plant 300 trees.
Each new tree in the district will have expanded tree pits, tree guards and permeable pavement over structural soil – the first time a New York City neighborhood has made these tree upgrades on such a wide scale. The permeable pavement, layers of soil capped off with a spongy surface to soak up water, will help retain storm water and mitigate combined sewer overflow after a heavy rain and major storms.
Additionally, the subsurface structural soil will give roots more room to grow, cultivating mature, healthy trees. The first 30 trees will be planted by the end of 2013, with an additional 150 trees scheduled to be in the ground over the next three years.
“Thanks to an innovative public-private partnership between the City and the Hudson Square Connection, the Hudson Square neighborhood will continue to thrive as a place where creative companies build their businesses, workers and residents recreate in inviting open spaces, visitors enjoy safer street crossings, and new businesses and retailers set up shop,” said Hudson Square Connection president Ellen Baer.
