NYC DOT recently embarked on an ambitious project to unify the look and feel of our street furniture. This project was designed to improve the aesthetic quality of our streetscape and the quality of life for pedestrians and transit riders citywide.
In July 2005, after an extensive competitive bid process, NYC DOT awarded a franchise to Cemusa, a Spanish street furniture company, to design, manufacture, install and maintain the street furniture at no cost to the City. In exchange, the City will allow Cemusa to sell advertising space on the structures within clearly defined limits. Cemusa partnered with Grimshaw Architects to create sleek, elegant structures made from high-quality materials to withstand the rigors of New York City's sidewalks. This award-winning family of designs is already improving our streetscape and is sure to become an iconic thread in the City's fabric.
We will replace every bus shelter and install an additional 200 (3300 bus shelters total) by 2011. DOT is working closely with community leaders to identify the best locations for additional shelters to ensure that new locations best serve each community and the riding public. For the first time ever, all of our bus shelters will offer seating, especially important for the eldery and disabled. The City is also exploring exciting new technologies like Bluetooth, LCD screens and real-time bus arrival information.
Site Specifications
Over the next three years, we will replace every existing newsstand at no cost to newsstand operators. Additional stands will be installed as new licenses are granted by the Department of Consumer Affairs. Cemusa will maintain the exterior of all newsstands including regular cleaning and graffiti removal.
Site Specifications
In response to the lack of public restrooms in New York City, DOT has asked Cemusa to install 20 automatic public toilets (APTs). These state-of-the-art facilities offer comfort, hygiene, accessibility, and security to the public, within a modern design. Engineered to self-sanitize after each use, the APTs will also be serviced twice a day for inspection and system maintenance, affording the people of New York a safe and valuable convenience. DOT is working closely with local community boards and other stakeholders to solicit recommendations for new sites for each of these amenities.
Site Specifications
In response to the ever growing number of cyclists and an increased desire to promote cycling as a healthy, environmentally-sustainable form of transportation, DOT will work with Cemusa to install 37 Bicycle Parking Structures around the City. Each shelter will contain stainless steel bike racks for eight bikes. The design closely resembles the award-winning Bus Shelter, using the same high-quality materials, including stainless steel bike racks. The ad panels will be used to display the annual NYC Cycling Map and the
"Look" Public Service Campaign. These structures will do more than just provide parking-they send a message that the City encourages cycling.
These structures also complement our existing City Racks sidewalk bicycle rack program.
The Department believes strongly in actively engaging neighborhood communities in decision-making processes that impact local residents. As such, we have sought, and will continue to seek, input from interested parties throughout the duration of the Coordinated Street Furniture Franchise. If you are interested in recommending a location, please review our technical siting criteria then submit your recommendation in writing to CSFF via Email at streetfurniture@dot.nyc.gov or contact your local community board with that request. We are currently seeking recommendations for sites for the following pieces of street furniture:
New Bus Stop Shelter Sites
The Department has begun to reach out to local bodies to solicit recommendations for new shelter locations. We will work to ensure that new shelter locations best serve each community and the riding public, while meeting technical siting. As part of the new franchise agreement, all new shelters will include benches. The Department is happy to provide this valuable amenity to the public.
APT (Automatic Public Toilet) Locations
The Department will begin to reach out to local bodies to solicit recommendations for potential locations of automatic public toilets.
Because these structures must meet extensive technical siting criteria, the selection process will include extensive location surveys.
