In the past few weeks, workers have been making changes along the makeshift pedestrian plaza on the south side of Delancey Street west of Clinton Street. New striping appeared on the asphalt and large planters were installed.
Now Delancey Street Associates, the consortium that developed the Essex Crossing mega-project, is out with an explanation. In a press release, they described “a new pedestrian plaza” alongside 145 and 155 Delancey Street:
Through a collaboration between Delancey Street Associates, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), the Lowest East Side Partnership, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the current wide street shoulder space will become an expansive pedestrian plaza owned by the NYC DOT, as well as will provide a safer outdoor walking area for the Lower East Side community and Essex Crossing residents and guests.
The new area was designed by Ken Smith Workshop, the firm behind the Pier 35 revamp. According to the press release, the Lower East Side Partnership will be responsible for maintaining the plaza. A couple of renderings of the finished product:
More changes are coming next year to Delancey Street, thanks to a $41 million federal grant. You can have look at the city’s plans here.
Delancey Plaza was created about a decade ago as a stopgap effort to improve safety on one of the most dangerous thoroughfares in New York City.
