FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 12, 2002
CONTACT:
Lynn Rasic/Janel Patterson (EDC) -- (212) 312-3523 --
www.newyorkbiz.com
Public Affairs Officer: (212) 720-3471 -- www.nyc.gov/planning
NYC ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND DEPARTMENT OF CITY
PLANNING ANNOUNCE RFP FOR URBAN DESIGN SERVICES
FOR QUEENS PLAZA
Development of
Streetscape and Landscape Design for Long Island
City
New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
President Andrew M. Alper and New York City Department
of City Planning (DCP) Director Amanda M. Burden today
announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP)
for professional design services to assist in the development
of a streetscape and landscape design plan for Queens
Plaza's public spaces and parkland, including public
art, lighting, street furniture, and crosswalk designs.
"Queens Plaza is the gateway to Queens,"
said EDC President Alper. "As the City moves forward
with initiatives to create new central business districts
in Long Island City, Downtown Brooklyn and the Far West
Side of Manhattan, projects like this have a very high
priority. Improving the public spaces and traffic flow
of Queens Plaza is important to the millions of people
who live or work in the area, or pass through daily
on foot, in cars, busses and subways."
"New York City's streets are the foundation of
this city. Vibrant street life is critical to the health
of any neighborhood, particularly Long Island City,
home to seven internationally-renowned cultural institutions
and a rich mix of residents, offices and industrial
businesses. We want to continue to attract life into
this unique area," said City Planning Director
Amanda Burden. "I am pleased that this request
for urban design services seeks to develop a streetscape
plan that includes an innovative mix of public art and
environmentally responsive design, and I hope this project
can serve as a model for design improvements throughout
the City."
The goal of the project is to create a strong image
for Queens Plaza by creating an overall streetscape
plan and park design for the area between the East River
and the Thomson Avenue/Van Dam intersection. The RFP
is designed to attract a multi-disciplinary team with
experience in designing complex public streets, plazas
and parks that will effectively work with EDC and DCP
to develop an artistic and environmentally responsive
streetscape and landscape design.
This is the second phase of the three-phase Queens
Plaza Bike and Pedestrian Improvement Project. The first
phase involved the development and simulation of a roadway
redesign plan for Queens Plaza between Crescent Street
and Queens Plaza East to improve traffic flows, create
bicycle lanes, widen medians and introduce new crosswalks
to improve pedestrian safety and circulation. The design
was approved by NYC Department of Transportation in
June 2002.
For more information or for a copy of the RFP, please
call (212) 312-3969 or e-mail info@newyorkbiz.com and
enter Queens Plaza RFP in the subject line. Proposals
are due by 2 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2002.
EDC is the City's primary vehicle for economic development
services. Using its real estate and financial resources,
EDC helps develop businesses and create jobs throughout
the five boroughs. EDC is also responsible for the sale
and leasing of City-owned property for economic development.
The Department of City Planning is responsible for
the City's physical and socioeconomic planning, including
land use and environmental review; preparation of plans
and policies; and provision of technical assistance
and planning information to government agencies, public
officials and community boards.
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