Fordham Plaza. Conceptual Design Study

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Lorena Newman
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1 Fordham Plaza Conceptual Design Study

2 WASHINGTON AVE. N Project Scope

3 Timeline

4 Urban Design Transportation Economics/Market Research A Multi-Disciplinary Study

5 Based on meetings and interviews with Stakeholders: Potential for a great public space Fordham Plaza needs better lighting and security Improve bus waiting environment and connections to Metro North Food options Traffic congestion Lack of parking in the neighborhood is a concern What we ve heard

6 URBAN DESIGN View North from E 189 th Street

7 Regional Context

8 Borough Context

9 Gateway to Civic Institutions

10 Site Context

11 Fordham Plaza is at the: Geographic Heart of the Bronx Transportation Heart of the Bronx Economic Heart of the Bronx Diverse Social Heart of the Bronx Fordham Plaza The Heart of the Bronx

12 Neighborhoods

13 Early Fordham grows around the New York and New Haven Railroad Station at Fordham Road (then Kingsbridge Road) c Site History

14 c c c Site History

15 Site History Demolition of Fordham Station, 1974 After demolition: 1979

16 1 Fordham Plaza (1986) Renovation of Plaza (1994) Site History

17 Shopping Areas

18 Approximately 14,497 students are within walking distance of Fordham Plaza: Elem./Middle: 3,684 High School: 3,113 Fordham Univ.: 6,527 Source: NYCDOE School Portal, Schools and Community Facilities

19 Trees and Plantings

20 Size Comparisons

21 9 am 12pm 3pm March 21 9 am 12pm 3pm June 21 9 am 12pm 3pm September 21 9 am 12pm 3pm December 21 Shadow Study Sunny almost year-round

22 Plaza Elements

23 Vendors

24 Transit Environment

25 building building building shelter shelter shelter Building, Trees and Bus Shelters create a Visual Barrier at Fordham Road

26 Plaza is Under-Lit at Night

27 Fordham Road Renaissance Festival Make Music New York Cultural Programming

28 Assets: Fordham Plaza and the Surrounding Neighborhood is Already Transit Friendly Transportation

29 SoHo E FORDHAM RD LADIES MILE SoHo HERALD SQUARE FLUSHING MAIN STREET 34 TH ST + 8 TH AVE/PENN STATION TIMES SQUARE Pedestrian Activity Source: Gehl Architects ( Public Realm Analysis for NYCDOT)

Modes of Transport to Fordham Road 90% of Fordham Rd Shoppers Walk or take Public Transportation Bus: 46% Subway: 16% Walked from Home: 26% Car - Drove/Parked: 5% Car -

30 Modes of Transport to Fordham Road 90% of Fordham Rd Shoppers Walk or take Public Transportation Bus: 46% Subway: 16% Walked from Home: 26% Car - Drove/Parked: 5% Car - Dropped Off: 3% Metro-North: 2% Taxi/Car Service: 1% Other: 1% Transportation Assets: Preference for Transit and Walking Source: NYCMTA (Fordham Road Shopper Access Study)

31 10 min walk 5 min walk At the Center of the Bronx Transportation System - Rail

32 Metro-North Access

33 6000 Fordham Station Weekday Ridership Activity Residents 3592 Ridership Commuters 0 Southbound Trips Northbound Trips Source: Metro North Fordham Station Data (Fall 2007) Transportation Assets: Balanced Residents & Commuters

34 Existing Bus Routes: NYCT Buses Bx9, Bx12, Bx15, Bx17, Bx22, Bx41, Bx55 Bx34 is 3 blocks away Westchester Bee-Line Buses B-L60, B-L61, B-L62 10 min walk 5 min walk At the Center of the Bronx Transportation System - Buses

35 Transportation Assets: Thousands of Daily Bus Transfers Source: NYCMTA Bus-to-Bus Transfer Data ( )

LaGuardia Express Fordham Plaza Flushing Express Fordham

36 Proposed New Bus Routes: Fordham Road Bus Rapid Transit Select Bus Service starting June 29, 2008 Fordham Plaza LaGuardia Express Fordham Plaza Flushing Express Fordham Road BRT Bus At the Center of the Bronx Transportation System Future Plans

37 Fordham Plaza Study Area Source: NYC Bike Map; NYC Bicycle Master Plan 1997 Bicycle Routes and Facilities

38 Percentage of Workers 16 or over who Commute to Work by Public Transportation Source: Census 2000, SF-3 High Transit Ridership in Surrounding Communities

39 Percentage of Households with NO Vehicles Available Source: Census 2000, SF-3 Low Vehicle Ownership in Surrounding Communities

40 Transportation Challenges Unfriendly Pedestrian Environment

41 Entrance to Metro North Tracks is Uninviting Southern Exit from Station is Uninviting and Underused Transportation Challenges Poor Connectivity Between Plaza Buses + MNR

42 Pedestrians dodging traffic across E. Fordham Road Transportation Challenges Poor Connectivity Between Plaza Buses + MNR

43 1 Webster Ave Fordham Rd 1 E 189 th St Third Ave Transportation Challenges Traffic Congestion

44 2 Transportation Challenges Roadway Geometry 2 Webster Ave Fordham Rd E 189 th St Third Ave

45 3 Webster Ave Fordham Rd 3 E 189 th St Third Ave Transportation Challenges Roadway Geometry

46 Overall Goals: Improve Pedestrian Environment + Pedestrian Safety Improve Transit Efficiency Reduce Congestion How do we build upon existing strengths to achieve these goals? Transportation Goals

47 ECONOMICS/RETAIL

48 Fordham Road is the Heart of Bronx Retail Over 200 retail stores in Fordham Road Business Improvement District Over 650,000 SF of retail Nearly $500 million in gross sales for 2007 Source: Fordham Road BID, Claritas Economic Activity

49 Fordham Road is a Thriving Retail Corridor National chains have discovered Fordham Road Low vacancy Rents reaching over $200 per square foot; up 33% since 2003 Economic Activity

50 New Developments Will Extend Fordham Road Shopping District Conversion of Sears Building to Fordham Place, a mixed-use development New retail strategy at 1 Fordham Plaza New Developments

51 Diverse Consumer Markets Provide Potential for 24/7 Retail and Cultural Opportunities: Residents Grade School Students College Students Employees Commuters Shoppers $1.12 billion in retail spending potential Source: ESRI Demographics

52 Approximately 228 retail tenants in the Fordham Road BID: 22 Food Service tenants (10%) 6 food markets/delis (3%) 200 other retailers (87%) Source: Fordham Road BID Business Improvement District

53 Approximately 16 retailers within the Fordham Plaza Study Area: 4 Food Service tenants (25 %) 3 food markets/delis (19%) 9 other retailers, not including medical offices (56%) Opportunities exist to supplement mix of retail tenants to better meet needs of consumer groups Project Scope

54 Fordham Plaza vendors: 30 Tents (10x8) 7 Kiosks (5x8) 11 Carts/Tables (in front of plaza) Fordham Plaza Vendors

55 Catalyze future growth and enhance the vitality of the Neighborhood Potential for vending concessions and cultural programming on the Plaza Identifying market gaps for surrounding area Opportunities

56 Survey Charette Hunts Point Community Initiative Charrette Next Steps

Design - Likes? - Dislikes? Transportation: - Likes? - Dislikes? Retail, Activities and Events: - Likes? - Dislikes? What types of activities or services would you like to see at Fordham Plaza?

57 Design - Likes? - Dislikes? Transportation: - Likes? - Dislikes? Retail, Activities and Events: - Likes? - Dislikes? What types of activities or services would you like to see at Fordham Plaza? Whom else should we be in contact with? Thank You! Breakout Session

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