OneNYC Plaza Equity Program
The OneNYC Plaza Equity Program (OPEP) addresses the needs of NYC plazas in under-resourced neighborhoods where community-based partner organizations struggle to maintain a high-quality public space. To achieve the goal of equitable public space throughout the City, OPEP provides horticultural care, maintenance services, financial subsides, and a host of technical assistance tools to plaza partner organizations.
This program will expand to provide resources to over 100 public spaces in under-resourced neighborhoods. Currently, OPEP assists 30 plazas based on need. Need levels for existing plazas are determined by partner capacity and location needs.
Based on need ranking, plazas and their partner organizations receive assistance through one of two tracks: High Need Plazas and Medium Need Plazas.
High Need Plazas
High Need Plazas receive a full suite of maintenance services, horticultural care, and technical assistance. These services are provided through a contract with The Horticultural Society of New York (The Hort).
High Need Plazas receive daily furniture set up and break down, sweeping, and cleaning. Additionally The Hort provides regular power washing and snow removal. These plazas also receive seasonal plantings four times a year. Technical assistance is provided to partner organizations with a focus on fundraising and fiscal management as a means to grow their capacity for public space management.
High Need Plazas in NYC:
| Plaza | Borough | Partner Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Ave C Plaza | Brooklyn | Kensington Cultural Council |
| Kensington Plaza | Brooklyn | NYC DOT |
| Parkside Plaza | Brooklyn | Parkside Empire Merchants Assoc. |
| Knickerbocker Plaza | Brooklyn | Riseboro |
| New Lots Plaza | Brooklyn | NYC DOT |
| Morrison Ave Plaza | Bronx | Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice |
| Fordham Plaza | Bronx | NYC DOT |
| 37th Road “Diversity” Plaza | Queens | NYC DOT |
| Corona Plaza | Queens | Queens EDC |
| Forsyth Plaza | Manhattan | NYC DOT |
| Myrtle-Wyckoff Plaza | Brooklyn/Queens | NYC DOT |
| Beach 20th Street | Queens | Rockaway Revitalization Development Corporation |
| Roberto Clemente Plaza | Bronx | Third Avenue BID |
Medium Need Plazas
Medium Need Plazas receive a financial subsidy of up to $20,000 per year to offset expenses related to plaza management and operations. Funds are provided on a reimbursement basis: partner organizations submit qualifying expenditures to NYC DOT after they are incurred. Additionally, Medium Need Plaza partner organizations may take part in the technical assistance offerings provided by The Hort.
Medium Need Plazas in NYC:
| Plaza | Borough | Partner Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Fowler Square Plaza | Brooklyn | Fulton Area Business Alliance |
| Marcy Avenue Plaza | Brooklyn | Bed Stuy Restoration Corporation |
| Putnam Triangle Plaza | Brooklyn | Fulton Area Business Alliance |
| Delancey Plaza | Manhattan | Lower East Side BID |
| 71st Avenue Plaza | Queens | Myrtle Avenue BID Queens |
| Douglaston Plaza | Queens | Douglaston LDC |
| Lowery Plaza | Queens | Sunnyside Shines BID |
| Bliss Plaza | Queens | Sunnyside Shines BID |
| Myrtle Avenue Plaza | Queens | Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership |
| Venditti Square | Queens | Myrtle Avenue BID Queens |
| Plaza De Las Americas | Manhattan | Washington Heights Inwood Development Corp. |
| Liberty Plaza | Queens | Bangladeshi American Community Development & Youth (BACDYS) |
| Johnny Hartman Plaza | Manhattan | Brotherhood Sister Soul |
| Osborn Street Plaza | Brooklyn | Brownsville Community Justice Center |
| Hillel Plaza | Brooklyn | Flatbush Nostrand Junction BID |
| 125th St Plaza | Manhattan | Uptown Grand Central |
| Westchester Sq Plaza | Bronx | Westchester Square BID |
How Partner Capacity is Determined
Partner Type
Organizations that do not have public space management as part of their mission, are all volunteer, or are otherwise extending themselves to manage a public space ranked higher in need than well-funded BIDs and other affluent management organizations.
Public Space Experience
The number of years and variety of management experiences an organization has had with public space.
Annual Budget
Partner organizations with a small annual operating budget, compared to other partners.
How Site Context is Determined
Square Footage
Overall size of a plaza as it relates to the capacity of the partner organization.
Foot Traffic/Usage
Plaza usage has significant impact on maintenance, placing an increased burden on lower capacity partners. Plazas in close proximity to major transit hubs rank higher in need than those in less busy areas.
Commercial Corridor
Busy commercial corridors see greater usage of public space which increases the maintenance burden on low capacity partners.
Neighborhood Income
Plazas in neighborhoods where income is low based on HUD CDGB eligibility and census tract median income, rank high on the need for assistance.