Fundamentals of Planning Studio | Spring 2017

Open Space and Sustainable Economic Development in the Southside of Williamsburg Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment | Fundamentals of Planning Studio | Spring 2017 Students: Yotam Melman, Nitisha Raje, Sophiya Khan, Jenady Garshofsky, Rohan Narang, Kim Robledo, Anthony Budiman, Heba Nady-Mohamed, Jay Skardis, Collin Lee, Michael Bourque, Haiyin Guo Faculty: Mercedes Narciso, Juan Camilo Osorio, Ayse Yonder

Today’s Presentation

1 2 3 4

Introduction Issues Objectives & Recommendations Conclusion

Rodney Park

1 Client and Project Goal The Client El Puente seeks to empower Latinos “to build 21st century community� sustainability plans that integrate climate change strategies in the context of culture, education, equity, and social justice Williamsburg Bridge Plaza Bus Depot

Project Goal Explore existing conditions in the Southside with a focus on the open space system, including four priority parks, in order to develop recommendations to promote the overall goals of the Green Light District initiative

El Puente Mural Source: www.elpuente.us

1 Geographic Context Southside of Williamsburg, Brooklyn Community District 1 The Green Light District:

• • • •

Environmental Awareness Personal Health Social and Educational Justice Cultural Conservation

Priority Parks: 1.

Marcy Park

2.

Rodney Park

3.

LaGuardia Playground

4.

Continental Army Plaza

Priority Parks Open Space Study Area GLD Geographic Context: Census Tracts Map Source: NYC Pluto, September 2016

1 Planning Process Neighborhood and Site Survey

Existing Conditions Analysis

Case Study Research

Recommendations

Stakeholder Interviews

1 The Southside Strengths and Assets:

• • • • • • •

History reflected in urban fabric Cultural, ethnic, racial, income diversity Young population

“Reimagine LaGuardia Playground”, El Puente, GLD Source: www.elpuente.us

Strong CBO’s Political representatives / elected officials Incoming new businesses BQ Green proposal

Jewish District

1 Land Use ●

58% Residential & mixed residential/commercial

●

26% Commercial and mixed residential/commercial

●

7% Industrial & manufacturing

●

5% transportation & utility GLD

●

9% Public facilities & institutions

One & Two Family

●

10% Vacant lots

MultiFamily Elevator

●

3% Parking

MultiFamily Walkup Mixed Commercial/ Residential Industrial/ Manufacturing Commercial/ Office Transportation/ Utility Public Facilities & Institutions

●

3% Parks & open space

Open Space Parking Facilities Vacant Land

Land Use Map Source: NYC Pluto, September 2016

1 Zoning ● Mostly zoned R6 - R8 ● Residential areas are located next to M1 - M3 ● Mixed-use Retail, Residential, Commercial and Industrial ● 2005 Rezoning Mixed Residential M1-2 ● 2009 Inland to contextual rezoning C1-3 C1-4 C2-3 C2-4 Residential Commercial MX-8 Priority Parks GLD

Zoning Map Source: NYC Pluto 2016

2 Issues Size better

Lack of Open Space and Greenery Economic Disparities Displacement Heavy Truck Traffic Environmental Injustice

Havemeyer St & South 5th St

2 Lack of Open Space & Greenery

● Total of 40 open spaces, with total of 14.9 acres ● Translates into 0.3 acres per 1,000 residents ● 31 parks with a total of 14.2 acres ● Playgrounds and sports fields consist of 3.6 acres of parks

Priority Parks Open Space Study Area GLD Lack of Open Space and Greenery Map Source: NYC Pluto 2016

2 Economic Disparities

● Economically vulnerable census tracts 525, 527, 529, 535 ● In 2015, over 30% of population living in poverty ● Census tract 527: 14.1% unemployment rate ● Lower educational attainment

Vulnerable Census Tracts Priority Parks Study Area GLD Economic Disparities by Census Tracts map Source: American Community Survey, 2011-2015

2 Unemployment ●

2015 unemployment rate lower than NYC ○

Study Area: 6.7% vs NYC: 8.3%

●

Between 2000 and 2015 GLD unemployment decreased from 14% to 8%

●

Two outliers, predominantly Hispanic/Latino

High Unemployment Priority Parks Study Area American Community Survey & Furman Center

GLD Census Tracts with Highest Unemployment Rate Map Source: American Community Survey 2011-2015 & Furman Center

2 Inequality

Educational Attainment, College Degree or +

Median Household Income

Priority Parks Less 20K

Priority Parks

25K - 40K

Under 20%

40K-53K

20.1% - 40%

53K - 80K

40.1% - 60%

80K Above

60.1% Above

GLD

GLD

Study Area

Study Area Median Household Income Map Source: American Community Survey, 2011-2015

Educational Attainment Map, College Degree or Above Source: American Community Survey, 2011-2015

2 Displacement â—? Total population in 2015: 55,556 â—? Hispanic/Latino population decreased from 50% in 2000 to 32% in 2015

Priority Parks Predominantly Hispanic Ethnicity, Source: American Community Survey, 2011-2015

Predominantly White GLD Study Area Ethnicity Map Source: American Community Survey, 2011-2015

2 Heavy Truck Traffic ● Increased transit activity in census tracts 525, 527, 535 ● High concentration of truck routes near the BQE ● 17 accidents: 14 are in truck routes ● 7 accidents in vulnerable tracts, 3 fatalities in 2016

Priority Parks Fatalities GLD Bus Stop Ferry Stop Subway Station Subway Routes Truck Routes Walking Distance Study Area Truck Traffic Map Source: Department of Transportation 2015

2 Environmental Injustice: Existing Industrial Facilities ● 16 solid waste facilities in CD1 (one of 4 community districts handle 70% of trash) ● Industrial facilities bring in truck traffic through Southside via Williamsburg Bridge / BQE ● Facilities vulnerable to storm surge & can spread toxins and chemicals

Study Area Solid waste facility SMIA CSOS Outfall CD 1 Truck Routes Existing Industrial Facilities Map, Source: SMIA and Solid Waste Facilities, Neighbors Allied for Good Growth (NAG)

2 Environmental Injustice: Storm Surge ● 42% of buildings are in storm surge zones ● Roughly 46% of the population would be inundated by a category 4 storm

Air Emissions Toxic Release - Air Water

● Approximately 24,700 people affected by storm surge

Toxic Release- Water CSOs Outfall Storm Surge Zones Hurricane Cat. 1 Hurricane Cat. 2 Hurricane Cat. 3 Hurricane Cat. 4 Priority Parks GLD Study Area Stormwater Surge and Sewage Outfalls Map Source: FEMA 2006

2 S.W.O.T. Analysis Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

Historic, mixed use urban

Socioeconomic inequality

Young population

Gentrification and

Decline in

Incoming new businesses

Cultural and ethnic

Hispanic/Latino

for new opportunities

diversity

population

fabric

Strong CBO’s and political representation Transit infrastructure

Neighborhood divided by BQE; pollution from BQE Impervious and polluted parks, open spaces Limited waterfront access

Undeveloped and underutilized space BQ Green plans for greening neighborhood

displacement Lack of open space Pollution High unemployment in GLD Waterfront luxury redevelopment

2 Vacant Lot Inventory Analysis Strengths

Weaknesses

● 39.1 acres of vacant lots ○ 15.4 acres undergoing development ○ 2.7 acres used as vehicle parking/storage ○ 2.7 acres are inaccessible

● Identified priority lots are publicly owned, with a total of 11.2 acres (29% of total vacant lots)

Vacant Lots Priority Lots Priority Parks Open Space Study Area GLD Vacant Lot Inventory Map Source: NYC Pluto 2016

3 Objectives to Achieve Goal Objective 1 - Improve Open Space Quality & Accessibility

LaGuardia Park

Continental Army Plaza

Rodney South Park

Objective 2 - Opportunities for Economic Development & Cultural Preservation

Commercial Corridor

Marcy Park

Domino Sugar Development

3

Objective 1 Enhance and expand the quality of open spaces to improve public health, multimodal transportation, and the environment in the community Accessibility

Environment

Transit

1.1 Advocate reclamation of Open Space lost through Parkland Alienation 1.2 Green corridor to connect the neighborhood 1.3 Pedestrian plazas to improve existing open spaces 1.4 “Southside Pedestrian Superblocks� to reduce pollution and traffic 1.5 Safety & connectivity in Continental Army Plaza through protected bike lanes 1.6 Partner with DOT to reduce truck delivery and congested routes 1.7 Cover Williamsburg Plaza Bus Terminal with green roof structure 1.8 Multipurpose open space under Williamsburg Bridge 1.9 Enclose BQE and ramp to the Williamsburg Bridge 1.10 Propose water storage project

Recommendation 1.1 $$$$ LONG TERM

Advocate for reclamation of open space lost through Parkland Alienation

•

Partner with Council member Antonio Reynoso, related board members, and advocacy groups

•

Form coalition to reclaim unused parkland-zoned sites

•

Propose some of the priority vacant lots for alienation Existing Greenway Open Space Priority Lots Priority Parks Potential Alienation Study Area GLD Potential sites for Parkland Alienation Map Source: NYC Pluto 2016

Recommendation 1.1 $$$$

Potential spaces for parkland

LONG TERM

Site under Williamsburg Bridge

• • • •

Owned by New York City 1 acre Designated but unused parkland space Used as DOT storage

Waterfront site along Kent Ave

• • • •

Current Condition

Existing Green Path

Owned by New York City and DCAS 1.5 acres with facility FAR of 5.0 Potential waterfront access Proximity to existing greenway Source: Googlemaps.com

Recommendation 1.2 $$$$$ SHORT TERM

Advocate for a Greenpath to connect the neighborhood

•

1.2 mile Greenpath along Kent St and around S4th St, from waterfront to Union Ave to connect open spaces and the neighborhood

•

Add street furniture and urban design elements to enhance pedestrian safety

•

Plant green walls and vegetation in Marcy and Rodney parks, and ramp to the BQE along La Guardia park

•

DOT should address dangerous intersection around S.4th, Havemeyer and Borinquen Open Space

towards Sternberg Park

Priority Parks Greenpath Existing Greenway Study Area GLD Green Path Map Source: NYC Pluto 2016

Recommendation 1.2 $$$$$ SHORT TERM

Enhancement of pedestrian safety with curb extensions and urban design elements

•

Addition of green ribbons and vegetation as buffer between sidewalk and street

Green Ribbon on Sidewalk Source: Department of Transportation 2015 Street Design Manual

Los Sures

El Puente

Continental Army Plaza

LaGuardia Playground Hazardous Intersection Roebling St & S4th St

Curb Extensions and green ribbons on Sidewalks

Recommendation 1.3 $$$$$ SHORT TERM

Advocate for the creation of pedestrian plazas to increase existing open spaces Connect Continental Army Plaza and LaGuardia Playground by closing Roebling street

Source: Google Maps

• •

Greenpath

Conduct a traffic study to redirect traffic Partner with DOT Plaza Program

Open Space Priority Parks Study Area GLD Focus Area

Pedestrian Plaza Map Source: NYC Pluto 2016

Recommendation 1.3 $$$$$

La Guardia Playground North and Continental Army Plaza connected with a pedestrian plaza

SHORT TERM

Before

Source: Google Maps

LaGuardia Playground North and Continental Army Plaza

After

Source: Google Maps

LaGuardia Playground North and Continental Army Plaza

Recommendation 1.4 $$$$ SHORT TERM

Promote the creation of Southside Pedestrian Superblocks for reducing pollution and traffic Three designated superblocks within the Southside to:

•

Reduce speed limit, create shared streets

•

Allow traffic only around the perimeters and improve air quality

•

Partner with DOT towards this goal and Integrate with 5 current pedestrian and community programs

•

Potential partners: Transportation Alternatives, TransitCenter, and Project for Public Spaces

DOT Shared Street Program Source: NY Times

Superblock Illustration Source: BCNecologia

Weekend Walks Brooklyn 2013 Source: DOT Weekend Walks

Weekend walks Williamsburg 2014, Source: DOT Weekend Walks

Recommendation 1.4 $$$$ SHORT TERM

Promote the creation of Southside Pedestrian Superblocks for reducing pollution and traffic

5

Open Space Priority Parks Superblock Study Area Superblock Source: Google Maps

GLD Superblocks Map Source: NYC Pluto 2016

Recommendation 1.5 $$$$ LONG TERM

Enhance safety and connectivity in and around Continental Army Plaza through protected bike lanes â—? Use design interventions to protect bicycle riders and park users for safe access to Williamsburg Bridge â—? Connect with Times Up or Transportation Alternatives to advocate for enhanced safety measures Open Space Priority Parks Study Area GLD Fatalities NYC Bike Routes Truck Routes Focus Area Multi-modal transit activity near/around Continental Army Plaza Map, Source: Department of Transportation 2015

Recommendation 1.5 $$$$

Sites near Continental Army Plaza lacking bike connectivity

LONG TERM

Design 1: Create designated ramps

Source: Google Earth Source: Google Maps Observed bike route Pedestrian path Existing bike lane Hazardous intersections

Design 2: Use planters to direct bicyclists

Recommendation 1.6 $$$$ LONG TERM

Partner with NYC DOT to reduce truck delivery on congested routes Improve air quality and pedestrian safety

•

Work with NYC DOT and local stores to create an off-hour schedule for truck delivery

•

Reduce truck routes for big trucks

Greenpath Open Space Priority Parks Kent Ave Truck Routes Off-hour delivery on 3rd Avenue and 39th Street.

Source: NYC DOT

Study Area GLD Truck Routes in Study Area Map Source: NYC Pluto 2016

Recommendation 1.6 $$$$ LONG TERM

Advocate for zero-emission buses at the Williamsburg Bus Terminal Improve air quality through clean buses Reduce bus emissions Zero-emission MTA buses

• • • •

All-electric, zero-emission electric bus Benefit the city's air quality Pivotal change for our environmental footprint Pilot program: northern Manhattan where there are five bus depots

Electric, zero-emission MTA bus.

Source: NY Daily News

The bus can travel 150 miles before its three batteries need to be recharged.

Source: NY Daily News

Recommendation 1.7 $$$$$ SHORT TERM

Advocate for greening the Williamsburg Bridge Plaza Bus Terminal

•

Long term goal: move bus terminal out of the area

•

Temporary short term redesign: tree islands and green areas between bus docks and lanes

•

Zero-emission electric buses, charging stations

Greenpath Priority Parks Bus Terminal Open Space Study Area GLD

Williamsburg Bridge Plaza Bus Terminal Map, Source: NYC Pluto 2016

Recommendation 1.7 $$$$$

NYC tree census shows lack of medium and large sized trees around Bus Depot

SHORT TERM

Bus Terminal Before: impervious land and lacking trees

1 2

Source: NYC PARKS

Bus Terminal After: with vegetation, permeable land and urban furniture

Recommendation 1.8 $$$$$$ LONG TERM

Advocate for enclosing designated but unused space under Williamsburg Bridge to create multipurpose public space

•

Convert the designated but unused 0.975 acre open space into a multipurpose public space (Wythe, Berry, S5th, and S6th)

•

Potential partners: Dept of Parks, Council member Reynoso, and community organizations

Greenpath Priority Parks Space Under Bridge Open Space Study Area GLD Unused Space Under Williamsburg Bridge Map, Source: NYC Pluto 2016

Recommendation 1.9 $$$$ LONG TERM

Enclose the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and Williamsburg Bridge exit ramp to stop noise and air pollution

S8 Highway, Warsaw, Poland. AP Photo:Alik Keplicz

• •

Partner with an architectural firm for design, a civil engineering firm for a filtration system Build a coalition to advocate for enclosing the bridge and BQE throughout the neighborhood

Greenpath Priority Parks Open Space Enclosing BQE Study Area GLD BQE and Williamsbridge Enclosure Map, Source: NYC Pluto 2016

Recommendation 1.9 $$$$ LONG TERM

Enclose the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and Williamsburg Bridge exit ramp to stop noise and air pollution

Before: Williamsburg Bridge exit ramp, looking east.

Source: Google Maps

After: Williamsburg Bridge exit ramp, looking east Source: Google Maps

Recommendation 1.10 $$$$ LONG TERM

Advocate for the creation of Sunken Water Plaza

•

DOT- owned lot underneath Williamsburg Bridge can be turned into a sunken plaza

• •

Contain runoff and reduce storm surge Multi-purpose space when it is dry

Case Study: Water Plazas in Rotterdam Open Space Priority Parks Study Area GLD Proposed Plaza Hurricane Cat. 1 Hurricane Cat. 2 Hurricane Cat. 3 Hurricane Cat. 4 Rotterdam “Waterplein” plaza Source: offsite.org

CSOs Outfall

Water Plaza Map Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency 2006

Recommendation 1.10 $$$$

Sunken water plaza concept diagrams

LONG TERM

Water Plaza concept Source:urbandesignnaba.com

Water Plaza Rotterdam dry condition Source: deurbanstein.nl

Water Plaza Rotterdam wet condition Source: deurbanstein.nl

Water Plaza concept diagram Source: deurbanstein.nl

3

Objective 1 Map View

Source: www.googlemaps.com

3

Objective 2 Support small businesses, provide training, and employment opportunities for inclusive / sustainable economic development and cultural preservation

Education & Culture

Environment

Economic Development

2.1 Promote creation of worker co-ops to foster local economy 2.2 Cultural workshops and social activities in open spaces for active social recreation 2.3 Local food businesses and markets in underused parks and open spaces 2.4 Green programs in public schools through education and training 2.5 Compost service for youth employment and environmental awareness 2.6 Advocate for a more inclusive Green Jobs Green NY Program Back 2.7 Partner with local companies to create high school internships 2.8 Youth-Led Environmental Justice walking tour to promote interest and culture

Recommendation 2.1 $$$$ LONG TERM

Promote creation of worker co-ops to foster local economy

•

Partner with local organizations to host workshops at El Puente on starting, growing, and maintaining worker cooperatives

•

Worker Cooperatives are democratically owned small businesses that provide social and economic justice through the pooling of skills and resources to create quality jobs in a local economy

Source: communitywealth.org

Source: sisepuede.com

Source: newerawindows.com

Source: workersjustice.org

Recommendation 2.2 $$$$ SHORT TERM

Implement workshops and social activities in open spaces to promote active social recreation ●

Open spaces for cultural and fitness workshops taught by local instructors for Southside community

●

Strengthen social bonds among the neighborhood

●

Opportunity for economic development through local food businesses

●

Potential partners: Los Sures, Southside Community Mission, Spaceworks

Salsa at Coney Island Boardwalk source: www.travellingbananas.com

Case Studies: Salsa at the Coney Island Boardwalk, Prospect Park Yoga, Drawing at Battery Park Paper Arts & Crafts, Poe Park, Bronx Source: www1.nyc.gov

Recommendation 2.2 $$$$ SHORT TERM

Potential spaces for workshops

1-Grand Ferry Park

1

Promote public use of waterfront 2-Jaime Campiz Playground 3-Maori Triangle

3 2

Re-unify open spaces divided by BQE 4-Marcy & Rodney Parks Re-activate parks prioritized by El Puente

4

5-Roberto Clemente Ballfield 6-Jacob’s Ladder Playground Reactivate southern open spaces into parks network by expanding GLD boundaries Existing Greenway

Open Spaces

Priority Parks

GLD

GLD Expansion

5

6 Potential Spaces for Workshops Map Source: NYC Pluto 2016

Recommendation 2.3 $$$$ SHORT TERM

Support economic development opportunities in underused park and open spaces ●

Promote and organize local Food businesses, weekend artist and flea market in the neighborhood

●

Partner with NYC Small Business Services for access to affordable kitchen space, training programs, and food-cooperative education

●

Help attain the Secondhand Dealer General License from Department of Consumer Affairs licenses for weekend flea market vendors

Brooklyn Flea Market, La Marqueta Source: fundreds.com

Food Festival Source: fundreds.com

Recommendation 2.3 $$$$ SHORT TERM

Potential spaces for economic development opportunities Grand Ferry Park and Precinct Revitalize the waterfront for food markets

Williamsburg Bridge Reclaimed parkspace for flea markets in winters Marcy & Rodney Parks Re-activate parks as flea markets in summers

Greenpath Open Space Priority Parks Potential Spaces Study Area GLD Potential Spaces for Economic Development Opportunities Map, Source: NYC Pluto 2016

Recommendation 2.4 $$$$ LONG TERM

Encourage green programs in public schools through education and training

•

11 public schools

•

Collaborate with NYC-EJA to provide training and awareness to students in public schools on sustainability, urban farming practices, composting, and the importance of nutrition and growth cycles

•

Encourage schools to reserve a space in school gardens for urban farming and composting

•

Encourage students to be a part of the Composting for community garden developments within the neighborhoods, as a part of an after school activity program

East New York Green Schools Program, The Washington Youth Garden, Farm to Schools, Rochester Roots, Seattle Youth Garden Works

Recommendation 2.5 $$$$ SHORT TERM

Create compost service in the Southside for youth employment and environmental awareness

•

Compost program could create customer service, social media, and bike delivery positions for youth

•

Start advertising to generate interest for jobs and service

•

EL Puente could consider a partnership for service in the Southside. BK Rot created the idea for small scale compost service that engages local youth.

Youth with bicycle compost wagon Source: BK Rot Instagram

Recommendation 2.5 $$$$

Community gardens as potential compost sites

SHORT TERM

Berry Street Garden

1

Earth Spirit Garden

2

Northside Community Garden

3

Keap Fourth Street Garden 6

Ten Eyck Garden Southside Community Garden

Greenpath Priority Parks Open Space Study Area GLD Potential Compost Sites Map, Source: NYC Pluto 2016

4 5

Recommendation 2.6 $$$$$ SHORT TERM

Advocate for a more inclusive Green Jobs Green NY Program Back

●

Partner NYC-EJA and NY Renews to revitalize green apprenticeship training as part of the NYS Climate and Community Protection Act

●

Address shortcomings of Green Jobs Green New York

●

El Puente can train workers from the Southside to form cooperatives, and they co-own their businesses instead of looking for a jobs to maximize benefits to a local inclusive economy

NYRenews.org

Solar Panels Source: NYSERDA - New York State

Recommendation 2.7 $$$$ LONG TERM

Partner with local companies to create high school internships for Southside students ●

Internships with companies in the creative fields -- IT, Graphic Design, Advertising, Business, Art

●

Six- week summer internships to prepare for college/future careers and real-world job experiences

●

Promote diversity and inclusion in these fields, encourage better educational attainment levels, and increase future employment opportunities for Southside students.

Source: Politic365

Source: Genesysworks

Recommendation 2.7 $$$$ LONG TERM

Potential partners in study area

1

1-Colossal 2-Fuzz 3-Vice

3

2 4

4-Ghost Robot

Greenpath Priority Parks Open Space Study Area Fuzz HQ, Southside of Williamsburg Source: Google Maps

GLD

Local Prospective Businesses for Internships Map, Source: NYC Pluto 2016

Recommendation 2.8 $$$$ SHORT TERM

Develop a program for a youth-led Environmental Justice and cultural walking tour to promote public awareness and local culture ● Build on El Puente’s Mural Walking Tour by working with youth to develop and lead the educational tour, focus on sustainability and gain revenue through tickets ● Potential Partners: Brooklyn Historical Society, Pratt Institute , Municipal Art Society, and NYC- EJA

Environmental Justice Walking Tour Source: www.lvejo.org

● Program management and Public speaking skills, and enlighten them about the ancestry and the environmental justice struggles of the neighborhood Case Studies: Places that Matter, South Bronx, Jane’s Walk (Boston), MyTown (Hartford) Source: tbilisifreewalkingtour.com

Recommendation 2.8 $$$$ SHORT TERM

Potential sites of the walking tour ● Local community gardens ● Cultural sites/ murals ● Green initiatives ● EJ campaigns

Existing Greenway Study Area GLD Murals Greenpath Priority Parks Open Space Potential sites of tour of map Source: www.elpuente.us

3

Objective 2 Map View

Source: www.googlemaps.com

4 Scatter Plot Analysis of Recommendations

4

Neighborhood Vision

Source: www.googlemaps.com

Thank you. Questions?