Press Releases
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2025
Contact: (212) 839-4850, press@dot.nyc.gov
City Completes Final Phase of Pershing Square Plaza, Providing Large Multi-Purpose Pedestrian Area Near Grand Central Terminal
The City’s Newest Pedestrian Plaza Creates a Welcoming Gateway in East Midtown
The $16.7 Million Investment by the East Midtown Governing Group Brings Chairs, Tables, Sustainability Features, and Other Amenities to Plaza
Pershing Square East overlooking Grand Central Terminal
NEW YORK –The NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) today announced the completion of the final phase of Pershing Square Plaza, creating a new multi-purpose public space that invites pedestrian activity and supports local businesses. The project was built in two phases, Pershing Square East and Pershing Square West, for a total investment of $16.7 million. DDC managed the project for DOT and DEP.
The Pershing Square East project is one of the first projects funded from the East Midtown Governing Group as a result of the East Midtown rezoning. The governing group voted to fund this project as one of their highest priorities, and the city responded by delivering this priority public space.
“Our streets and sidewalks make up 80 percent of New York City’s public space and by building public plazas, we are also building a better city through new jobs, new local partnerships, and new spaces that benefit all who work, visit, and live in East Midtown,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We thank our sister agencies, local community partners, and elected officials for their efforts to ease pedestrian congestion in the heart of Manhattan’s business and commerce while creating welcoming public spaces for all.”
“This transformation of Pershing Square Plaza has created a vibrant public space in one of Manhattan’s busiest corridors,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “Thanks to smart and coordinated urban planning, DEP was able to take advantage of this streetscape project to update critical underground infrastructure. These upgrades will bolster the water delivery system, improve stormwater drainage, and enhance fire protection – creating a more resilient and safer East Midtown.”
“From Times Square to Pershing Square, DDC is proud to build public plazas that beautify our city,” said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley. “Our designers ensured that the plaza shares the unique architectural character of the surrounding area, including iconic locations like Grand Central Terminal, Park Avenue Viaduct, and the Pershing Square Building. We also upgraded the area’s storm sewers for better storm management. Thanks to our city partners, local community members and businesses, as well as our DDC team, the plaza will be a beautiful, calming space that visitors will enjoy for years to come.”
“The Pershing Square Plaza is a great example of how smart planning can leverage private investment to deliver significant public benefits,” said Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick. “The Greater East Midtown Plan continues to pay off for New Yorkers, from transit improvements to sustainability upgrades, to high-quality public spaces like this one.”
The new Pershing Square East, which accounts for $5 million of the total $16.7 million Pershing Square, is 10,000-square-feet on Park Avenue East between 41st and 42nd streets. It is equipped with 18 tables with chairs, a metal louvre fence and gate, and a Citi Bike station. The project installed 900 square yards of asphalt, six ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, nearly 6,000 square feet of sidewalk, 550 square feet of granite pavers, 53 security bollards, and five trees.
The project also added wayfinding signage, new pedestrian signals, and upgraded streetlights and traffic signals. Additionally, nearly 300 feet of water and storm sewer pipes were upgraded, and four catch basins were installed. Construction of Pershing Square East began in January 2022.
Pershing Square West on the other side of the Viaduct includes tables, chairs, a raised patio for dining, and a river bench for additional seating. The plaza also includes over 450 plants and several trees.
Pershing Square West, an $11.7 million project located on Park Avenue West between 41st and 42nd Streets, adds another 13 tables for public use. At the heart of the 12,150-square-foot plaza is a raised patio, designed to serve as an outdoor dining area for The Pershing Square Café. Surrounding the perimeter of the raised patio is a continuous trench drain system integrated into the paving that directs stormwater to a new rain garden for natural absorption. Additionally, a custom-designed river bench at both the northern and southern edge of the raised patio offers continuous seating, guiding the eye and foot traffic toward key features like the dining area and new planted spaces.
Pershing Square West has three trees and 465 plants, including 235 ornamental grasses and 230 perennials. Crews also installed 8,000 square yards of asphalt, nearly 700 feet of sidewalk and over 400 feet of curb. Over 4,000 feet of water main and approximately 350 feet of storm sewers were upgraded. Three catch basins, 21 fire hydrants and six ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps were replaced or installed. The project received a Gold Award for Engineering Excellence from the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York. Construction of Pershing Square West began in 2014 and ended in 2020.
Pershing Square West, which received a Gold Award for Engineering Excellence from ACEC NY, was designed to complement the area’s unique architectural profile. The plaza is near Grand Central Station, Park Avenue Viaduct, and the Pershing Square Building.
The effort to create a plaza at the site began in 2013 when Community Board 5 endorsed the temporary termination of vehicular traffic in the northbound lanes of Park Avenue between East 41st and East 42nd Streets. The transformation of the temporary eastern plaza to a permanent installation was done under the NYC Plaza Program. Funding for the plaza was part of East Midtown rezoning and the plaza will be maintained by the Grand Central Partnership.
Commissioner in Your Borough
Today’s ribbon cutting is part of NYC DOT’s Commissioner in Your Borough Day in Manhattan. The Commissioner in Your Borough series allows Commissioner Rodriguez to engage with residents and community leaders in each borough to discuss transportation needs. Since 2022, NYC DOT has held 19 Commissioner in Your Borough events.
“I'm thrilled to see the newly completed Pershing Square Plaza come to life, delivering on the promise of making this public space safer and more accessible for pedestrians while bringing much needed benefits to local businesses,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “I encourage everyone visiting the area to enjoy the new seating, dining area, and green space in this incredible new public plaza.”
“It is great news today that we celebrate the completion of the brand-new Pershing Square Plaza,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler. “Creating a new multi-purpose public space in the heart of midtown near Grand Central Terminal – is a significant milestone to expanding green and open space here in Manhattan! With new open public spaces for New Yorkers and visitors alike to gather, New York City continues to be a premier world class destination.”
“The brand new Pershing Square is a beautiful public plaza that today welcomes a new section on the eastern side of Park Avenue,” said Councilmember Keith Powers. “The publicly accessible area will now provide space for New Yorkers to dine and spend time outside all while admiring the iconic Grand Central Station rising before them. I’m proud to have engaged with the East Midtown Governing Group, who prioritized this project, to fund this new public space.”
“Today’s ribbon cutting is very special because it brings to a close a nearly four decade effort by Grand Central Partnership working with the city and our stakeholders to transform these adjoining parts of Park Avenue into a vibrant open space here at the doorstep to iconic Grand Central Terminal that welcomes visitors, commuters and residents to our Midtown East community,” said Grand Central Partnership President and CEO Fred Cerullo. “And with the generous support of the city, our stakeholders, community boards, and elected officials, Pershing Square Plaza East and West are now home to a thriving restaurant and outdoor cafe, the city’s largest bike share docking station, open seating for the general public and regular programming featuring local musicians.”
“Pershing Square East is yet another powerful example of how strategic investment in great public spaces can transform our streetscape and enliven our business districts,” said “New” New York Executive Director B.J. Jones. “Congratulations to DDC, DOT, and the Grand Central Partnership for enhancements and activations that help make Midtown a vibrant global hub.”
About the NYC Department of Transportation
The New York City Department of Transportation’s (NYC DOT) 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 our primary customers, City residents. NYC DOT’s staff manage an annual operating budget of $1.4 billion and a ten-year $33 billion capital program, along with 6,300 miles of streets and highways, over 12,000 miles of sidewalk, and approximately 800 bridges and tunnels, including the iconic East River bridges. NYC DOT’s staff also installs and maintains nearly one million street signs, 13,250 signalized intersections, over 315,000 street lights, and over 350 million linear feet of markings.
About the NYC Department of Environmental Protection
DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.5 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $29 billion in investments over the next 10 years. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter.
About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor Adams’ long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $33 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.