City of New York and Hudson Square BID Select Consultants to Construct New Pedestrian Space and Amenities in Hudson Square

NEW YORK, NY—New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), in partnership with the Hudson Square Business Improvement District (BID), today announced Prima Paving Corporation, Sam Schwartz Engineering, D.P.C. and Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects have been selected as the a joint consultancy team that will advance a major public-private, design-build investment between Canal Street and West Houston. The project’s streetscape improvements will strengthen Hudson Square by enhancing pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular traffic safety, transforming the corridor into a grand boulevard that will increase connectivity.

This key project will extend sidewalks along Hudson Street up to five feet and add new street amenities along the seven-block corridor. The project scope includes:

• 8041 square feet of planting areas filled with various trees, shrubs, and perennials
• Application of the Hudson Square Standard for urban forestry, using continuous tree pits and permeable pavers to maximize stormwater capture and support healthier trees
• New benches providing the capacity for approximately 168 seats
• 2,255 square feet of allowable space for future sidewalk cafes
• Sidewalk realignments and new pedestrian ramps
• A dedicated and parking-protected bike lane on Hudson Street from Houston to Canal Street
• Over 40 additional bicycle racks

“The Hudson Street streetscape will become a vibrant destination for surrounding communities,” said NYCEDC President and CEO James Patchett. “We are pleased to work with our agency partners, community stakeholders and design-build consultants to help expedite this project in record time to beautify the neighborhood and improve public safety conditions for all New Yorkers.”

“The redesign of Hudson Street will prioritize street safety and smart urban planning in Hudson Square’s fast-growing and pedestrian-rich community,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “With protected bike lanes, wider sidewalks, new seating, bike racks, landscaping and improved stormwater management, we are proud to play a role in a comprehensive effort to make this burgeoning community safer, more livable, and more sustainable. And as long-time advocates of the more efficient Design-Build method, DOT is eager to get to work faster – with our partners at EDC, the Hudson Square BID and all the members of the project team.”

“The transformation of Hudson Street into a grand boulevard will make Hudson Square more walkable than ever and create a continuous stretch of green space and bike lanes throughout this vibrant West Side corridor,” saidHudson Square BID President and CEO Ellen Baer. “We are thrilled to work with EDC, DOT and all of our partners to reinforce Hudson Square as one of the city’s most vibrant creative districts and a true place for people.”

“Congratulations to the Hudson Square BID, DOT and EDC for reaching another major milestone in this vital partnership to remake Hudson Square for the better,” said New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. “This dynamic plan will greatly improve the quality of life for the Hudson Square community and will go a long way towards improving the safety and vibrancy of this street space and neighborhood.”

Design-build will streamline the City’s construction process by pairing design and construction services, contracting them together to a single entity rather than bidding them separately. The design-build method has been proven to significantly increase efficiency, minimize disturbance to communities and help reduce overall project costs. Over the coming months, Prima Paving Corporation will complete the design and approvals, and construction is anticipated to begin later this year.

Prima Paving Corporation will lead the design-build team and will be responsible for overseeing related construction. Sam Schwartz Engineering, D.P.C will lead engineering, design, agency approvals, and public outreach. Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects will oversee landscape architecture and urban design.

The Hudson Square BID’s comprehensive $27 million streetscape improvement plan, Hudson Square is Now, was conceived as a public-private partnership with the City of New York. Over the last decade, the plan has served a blueprint for substantial physical improvements on public land, designed to manage traffic, create pedestrian-friendly open spaces, promote environmental sustainability, and support retail. The Hudson Street project is the final piece in the multi-phase master plan, including the planting and retrofitting of 250 trees using the award-winning Hudson Square Standard, and the revitalization of Spring Street Park, a state-of-the-art public space that serves as the gateway to Hudson Square.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation creates shared prosperity across New York City’s five boroughs by strengthening neighborhoods and creating good jobs. NYCEDC works with and for communities to provide them with the resources they need to thrive, and we invest in projects that increase sustainability, support job growth, develop talent, and spark innovation to strengthen the City’s competitive advantage. To learn more about our work and initiatives, please visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

About The New York City Department Of Transportation
DOT's mission is to provide for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods in the City of New York and to maintain and enhance the transportation infrastructure crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life of City residents. More than 5,000 DOT employees oversee one of the most complex urban transportation networks in the world, with 6,000 miles of streets and highways, 12,000 miles of sidewalk, and 794 bridges and tunnels, including the iconic East River bridges. DOT also promotes the use of sustainable modes of transportation, designing bicycle facilities, bus lanes, and public plazas.

About The Hudson Square Business Improvement District
Hudson Square is home to more than 60,000 people working in advertising, design, media and other cutting-edge businesses, in the place where people are driving our future. The Hudson Square Business Improvement District (BID) provides improvements to the public realm where this future can thrive. The BID’s mission is to propel, support, and celebrate this great neighborhood with a focus on pedestrian safety, greening and programs that serve our community.