Neighborhoods Now
Dear friend,
for small businesses on how to apply for relief loans. They drafted legal templates for short-term leases to occupy vacant storefronts. They collaborated with senior staff at City agencies to help neighborhoods access programs like Open Streets and Open Restaurants.
As the pandemic took root in our city in March, its uneven impact on the lives of New Yorkers quickly became painfully clear. While our city’s well-resourced communities and businesses benefit from the ability to purchase expertise, the The work is far from over. Many of these firms are committed neighborhoods where many of our essential workers live do to continuing these partnerships in service of long-term not have the same access and resources. efforts to address systemic inequities and greater community In response, the Urban Design Forum and Van Alen Institute ambitions. The need for this work is profound, and we hope this effort inspires the design community to come together in tapped into our collective network of architects, designers, continued service of New York’s neighborhoods. Ultimately, and engineers. In a matter of weeks, more than 65 firms the long term value of this approach will be the alliances mobilized to support the recovery of four neighborhoods forged across demographic and professional boundaries. hit particularly hard by the pandemic: Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn; Jackson Heights, Queens; Kingsbridge, Bronx; and We are humbled by this outstanding display of teamwork, Washington Heights, Manhattan. To date, these firms — including architects, planners, engineers, graphic designers, creative problem solving, and immense generosity. We thank the 200+ community experts and practitioners who and attorneys — have contributed thousands of hours of pro have given their time and passion, and we look forward to bono expertise to support fellow New Yorkers. continuing the work. In partnership with community leaders, they piloted open-air With gratitude, extensions for restaurants, created neighborhood signage with COVID-19 health protocols, and developed proposals Deborah Marton for relocating community events and educational programs Executive Director, Van Alen Institute into open space. Our partner neighborhoods’ needs also went far deeper than design, so our working groups expanded their support beyond physical interventions. They organized a seminar
Daniel McPhee Executive Director, Urban Design Forum
Neighborhoods Now
The use of the information contained in this document is at the sole risk of the user, and the Van Alen Institute and the Urban Design Forum shall not be responsible for, or liable in any way for, the accuracy, completeness or any other matter with respect to the contents herein. The user hereby assumes all risks of the use of the information, and irrevocably and unconditionally waives, releases and discharges the Van Alen Institute and the Urban Design Forum and its direct and indirect members, directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates, volunteers and representatives, from any and all liability of any kind or nature whatsoever, in connection with the matters contained herein, and the use of the information contained herein.
BED-STUY NOW August 11 2020
Presentation of Concepts for the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID
Produced as part of the Neighborhoods Now initiative
BED-STUY NOW
Neighborhoods Now is an initiative of Urban Design Forum and Van Alen Institute. These ideas have been created by a group of architects, designers, and community members to serve as a basic set of potential structures to support the neighborhood of Bed-Stuy.
Moody Nolan
W Architecture Grimshaw Architects
Jaklitsch Gardner Architects
Partner & Partners
BĂźro Koray Duman
Studio Cadena Bureau V
Only If Architecture
WIP Studio
Thackaway McCord
Lea Architecture
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BED-STUY NOW
BRIEF
STATEMENTS
BID’s visibility and abilities. Businesses rely on their communities, and communities
• Site Conditions
rely on their local businesses. We feel it’s important to address both the immediate
• Community
safety and reopening concerns of the businesses serviced by the BID, while also
• Pandemic Shifts to Community
strengthening and addressing some of the needs of the community. Incorporating
• Listen
both into our work is important during this moment of crisis and uncertainty.
• BID Leadership – Operational Understanding of the BID Participants
We envision the concepts and ideas in this proposal as a way to strengthen the
• Understanding the Existing Issues
• BID Participants – Engage with business owner. The supportive design work is presented as a set of scalable ideas — from easily deployed graphics to DOT-approved Plaza modifications — and can be thought of as a kind of momentary Gateway BID design residency. We will commit to supporting Bed-Stuy businesses and community, and implement as many on-the-ground solutions presented here as possible.
• Community – Patrons of Open Space and Businesses to the clients (the businesses in the community)
GOALS
• Build trust with the BID Operations, BID Participants, and Community. • Based on Community and BID Goals, Identify the design scope PostPandemic • Develop Design Strategies that are achievable with reasonable budget and schedule that accommodate the individual business needs • Develop a Program for open space areas based on community needs. • Develop Open Space strategies that bring community together safely.
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BED-STUY NOW
PRESENTATION CONTENTS
PART 1 UNDERSTANDING BED-STUY PART 2 ATTITUDE AND APPROACH PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
• Bed-Stuy Neighborhood • Bed-Stuy Gateway BID • Challenges Facing the BID • Community Resources
• Community Outreach • Participating Businesses • Goals for Business Typologies • Design Strategy
• Design Intervention Toolkit • Graphic Signage • Open Space Interventions • Retail Interventions • Professional Services Interventions • Civil Interventions
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PART 1 UNDERSTANDING BED-STUY BED-STUY NOW
Current Conditions and Dynamics
• • • •
Bed-Stuy Neighborhood Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Challenges Facing the BID Community Resources
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 1 UNDERSTANDING BED-STUY
Bed-Stuy Neighborhood
Orientation
QUEENS MANHATTAN NEW JERSEY BROOKLYN
BED-STUY
NORTH
The highlighted area of the map the Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bed-Stuy) neighborhood of Brooklyn in the larger New York City metropolitan area
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PART 1 UNDERSTANDING BED-STUY
Bed-Stuy Neighborhood
Overview
THE BED-STUY NEIGHBORHOOD “Meanwhile I had Oprah chillin in the projects, had her out in BedStuy, chillin on the steps.” – On To The Next One Bedford Stuyvesant (Bed-Stuy), located in Central Brooklyn and formed in 1930, is known architecturally and environmentally for its tree lined streets, beautiful brownstones, and stoop culture. Its name was derived from Peter Stuyvesant, the former governor of New Netherlands and Bedford, which was the name of the former community, Village of Bedford. For decades it has been the cultural center of Brooklyn’s black community and became a hub for African American residents when residents could easily take the A-train from Harlem to Bed-Stuy. Bed-Stuy also lives in the hearts and imaginations of its most famous residents: Lena Horne, Chris Rock, Jay-Z, and Biggie Smalls were born and raised in the neighborhood. The community is bordered by Bushwick to the North, Clinton Hill to the West, Crown Heights to the South, and East New York to the East. Within the Bedford-Stuyvesant community there are a network of public parks, public transit options, and a network of churches and nonprofits. There is also a large central hub, of the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, that has historical significance connected to Robert F. Kennedy and the Gateway BID which was founded by Mayor Bloomberg in 2009. As the target community of the Gateway BID, the Bed-Stuy community includes approximately 154,000 residents according to New York City data. As of 2015, the population was 64% Black, 11% Hispanic, 10% white, 2% Asian, and 2% other. The neighborhood rental prices and property prices have been steadily increasing and the price of the neighborhood is becoming increasingly unaffordable for current residents. The Coronavirus pandemic has only exacerbated this data. The Bed-Stuy Now group’s initial provocation is to imagine rapid solutions, relatively affordable yet highly impactful design interventions that augment, amplify or make more widely legible, existing pandemic response efforts. This is not to say we are interested in singular outcomes. Rather, our goals will be to link projects in a manner that can scale within a neighborhood, a city or even globally. While ambitious in range, our research and subsequent proposals will, for example, examine the neighborhood, open space, retail and restaurant storefront as a site for safe and equitable interactions. Our process will include group research, community engagement, mapping, and conceptualizing of pandemic response.
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PART 1 UNDERSTANDING BED-STUY
Bed-Stuy Gateway BID
Orientation
NORTH
Extent of the Bed-Stuy Gateway BID The Bed-Stuy Gateway BID belongs to the largest commerical area in Bed-Stuy.
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 1 UNDERSTANDING BED-STUY
Bed-Stuy Gateway BID
What is the Bed-Stuy BID?
THE BED-STUY “GATEWAY” BID “For nearly 30 years property owners, merchants and residents of the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, New York, sought to form an organization specifically dedicated to address threats to business vitality and to build on local assets throughout Central Brooklyn’s primary commercial corridor. The Bed-Stuy Gateway BID, located in central Brooklyn, is one of Brooklyn’s most prominent commercial and cultural focal points. We represent a growing, eclectic community of entrepreneurs, nonprofit and arts organizations, families, artists, advocates who are proud to call Bedford-Stuyvesant – home. Since 2009, we have partnered with our neighbors and stakeholders to enrich our community through economic development while promoting our cultural diversity. Shaped by the passion and strength of the Fulton/Nostrand United Merchants Association, the technical assistance of Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, and partnerships with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and the NYC Department of Small Business Services, “Fulton FIRST” was formed — a local economic development initiative focused on the retail revitalization of Fulton Street. The years that followed consisted of strategic planning and community organizing for the purpose of forming the Gateway. On March 30, 2009 Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed legislation establishing the Bed-Stuy Gateway Business Improvement District as the City’s 64th BID..” www.thebedstuybid.org/aboutus
View of Fulton Street along the Black Lives Matter street mural
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 1 UNDERSTANDING BED-STUY
Images of the various businesses and institutions within the Bed-Stuy BID
Bed-Stuy Gateway BID
The Bed-Stuy BID in Images
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 1 UNDERSTANDING BED-STUY
Bed-Stuy Gateway BID
Challenges Facing the BID
Operational & Financial Challenges The BID covers a substantial footprint of the Bed-Stuy Community and has a passionate leadership; however, there is not an operational team available to execute community initiatives. Additional challenges include issues around sanitation and collection as well as the exacerbation of affordable housing that has created increasing homelessness. As the neighborhood shifts due to the economic impacts, lease rates and other financial stressors continue to plague long term businesses.
Architectural Challenges The typical footprint of a Gateway BID is 20’ x 40’. Within these footprints, many businesses have challenges with merchandising product. The small footprint has a challenge in pandemic spaces that require social distancing guidelines. In addition, our team saw pre-existing challenges with maintenance of building infrastructure related to MEP and Structural.
Pandemic Challenges COVID-19 has been especially difficult for the African American community in Bed-Stuy with a disproportionate number of African Americans impacted with higher death rates and hospitalizations. These challenges have trickled down to the business community. Many businesses were shut down for several weeks during the pandemic without revenue and when they reopened, they had to make dramatic shifts to operations. Some of the shifts are as follows. • • • •
Monitor customers upon entry Ensure customers have proper protective equipment Monitor social distancing Monitor quantity of people entering/exiting the store
The impact of Covid-19, and abruptness of the pandemic, has also caused the need for additional resources: testing centers; community fridges and gardens; access to masks, gloves, and other PPE; locations to gain access to internet; etc.
Racial Equality and Equity Challenges The civil unrest across the country has impacted the BID through reduced policing of certain regulations which impact BID businesses. For example, eased enforcement of street vending regulations has allowed illegal street vendors to solicit products directly in front of BID businesses. Image of street vendors competing with BID businesses along Fulton Street
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PART 1 UNDERSTANDING BED-STUY
Community Resources
Approaches for Directing Existing Resources within People The BIDto Resources
NORTH
Bus Stop Locations Trashcan Locations Subway Stations
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 2 APPROACH AND ATTITUDE
Community Resources
Initial Approaches for Directing People to Resources
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PART 2 APPROACH AND ATTITUDE BED-STUY NOW
Concept Strategy Based on Identified Conditions and Feedback from Bed-Stuy BID Community
• • • •
Community Outreach Participating Businesses Goals for Business Typologies Design Strategy
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 2 APPROACH AND ATTITUDE
Community Outreach
Focus Group Sessions
COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOCUS GROUP SESSIONS Through the Neighborhoods Now Initiative, The Bed-Stuy BID and BedStuy Restoration Corporation collaborated to host a series of community focused outreach sessions. The goal of the outreach event was to first, gain an understanding of the needs and challenges within the Bed-Stuy community, and second, use the information recieved to guide the design intervention process. Over the course of three weeks, the Neighborhood Now teams listened to a collection of business owners, local community board leaders, and concerned residents desires and needs for a better Bed-Stuy. Key words were emphasized by many within the community. A few of those words were: • • • • • • • • •
Access Hygiene Green Space Information Safety Open Space Transportation Queuing Resources
At the conclusion of the focus group sessions, The Neighborhood Now design teams presented concepts to the community that actively and passively responded to the opinions, considerations, and concerns acknowledged previously. The Bed-Stuy Restoration Corporation hosted the event on Facebook Live to an excellent audience and positive feedback toward the design proposals. See the Facebook Live Event recording here: https://www.facebook.com/55511264031/videos/3666866856661282
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 2 APPROACH AND ATTITUDE
Participating Businesses
Locations of Participating Businesses within the BID
NORTH
Participating Businesses
Map outlining the businesses and open spaces selected to participate in this initiative project. The Bed-Stuy Now group gained participates from various typologies within the Gateway BID to provide specific solutions that could be applied to other businesses and institutions in the area. RETAIL SPACE •
Rose Discount Beauty Supply Store
• •
Liquid Assets Solano Optometry
CIVIC SPACE • Masjid At-Taqwa
OPEN SPACE • Marcy Plaza • Black Lives Matter Mural on Fulton Avenue
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES • Platinum Cuts • Brooklyn Tea
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 2 APPROACH AND ATTITUDE
Design Strategy
Approach and Attitude Toward Design
DESIGN STRATEGY The overall approach to the project was to listen and understand the Gateway BID concerns, goals, and anticipated outcomes. We worked together with Bed-Stuy Restoration Corp to facilitate focus groups with the community to gain deeper understanding of the community goals. Once we gathered this information; each team had a highly specialized approach for retail, civic, open spaces, and professional services that was dictated by program. Universally, all businesses could benefit from a universal communication strategy that uniformly communicates the rules. The attitude of the project was framed through specific points of emphasis: safety, visual queuing, identity, and resources & information. Each team considered how each of these principles are vital to the businesses and community within the Gateway BID and creatively incorporated these points into their overall interventions.
Safety • •
Emphasis on citywide guidelines Subtle cues that encourage safe spacing
Visual Queuing • •
Ground floor decals that show spacing increments Consistent graphic communication throughout the neighborhood and at entry points: Subway/Bus Stops, Open Spaces, and Businesses Entry Points
Identity • •
NORTH
Developing clear communication that communicate neighborhood sources of pride Graphic images and text that reflect the diversity and languages of the neighborhood
Resources and information •
Relay important information for: Open Spaces, Subway/Bustops, COVID-19 Testing, Resources (Free), Changing Rules and Guidelines of COVID-19
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 2 APPROACH AND ATTITUDE
Retail Apprach and Attitude • Promote Social Distancing • Maximize Capacity • Safety and Social Distancing at Retail & Service Counters • Communication and Hygiene at Entry
Design Strategy
Civic Approach and Attitude • Understand the existing spaces • Understand the existing issues related to the DOB regarding the COO • Develop a Strategy for repairing issues
Participating Retail and Civic Spaces
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 2 APPROACH AND ATTITUDE
Open Space Approach and Attitude • Understand the existing community space programming pre-pandemic • Develop programming pos-pandemic • Create Strategies to design spaces that are safe, affordable and community centered.
Design Strategy
Professional Services Approach and Attitude • • •
Create social distanced space that are functional and safe. Develop a space to increase capacity Communication and hygiene at entry
Participating Professional Services and Open Spaces
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PART 3 INTERVENTIONS BED-STUY NOW
A summary of interventions produced for the Bed-Stuy BID and surrounding community
• Design Intervention Toolkit • Graphics • Open Space • Retail • Professional Services • Civil
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BED-STUY NOW
Ground Wayfinding Stickers
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Storefront Signage
Design Tools Collection of objects that are used as tools to accompany the interventions throughout the Bed-Stuy BID
Existing Outdoor Furniture
Design Intervention Toolkit
Exterior Environmental Signage
Existing Outdoor Shading Furniture
Trees and Other Greenery
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BED-STUY NOW
Modular Stands and Platforms
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Greenery Planters
Design Tools Collection of objects that are used as tools to accompany the interventions throughout the Bed-Stuy BID
Design Intervention Toolkit
Modular Seating
Physical Barriers
Multi-Use Scaffolding Structures
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Universal Signage Pre-printed resident-driven signage for distribution around the neighborhood. Signs are also translated into 4 languages.
Graphics
Universal Signage
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Universal Signage Pre-printed resident-driven signage for distribution around the neighborhood. Signs are also translated into 4 languages.
Graphics
Universal Signage
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Universal Signage Pre-printed resident-driven signage for distribution around the neighborhood. Signs are also translated into 4 languages.
Graphics
Universal Signage
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Universal Signage Pre-printed resident-driven signage for distribution around the neighborhood. Signs are also translated into 4 languages.
Graphics
Universal Signage
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Universal Signage Pre-printed resident-driven signage for distribution around the neighborhood. Signs are also translated into 4 languages.
Graphics
Universal Signage
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Graphics
Bed-Stuy Specific Signage
Resources in Community
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Graphics
Bed-Stuy Specific Signage
Black-Owned Business
11in
8.5in
Black-Owned Business Signage Pre-printed black-owned business signage for distribution around the neighborhood
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PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Open Space
AV MARCY
T LSEY S
Overview
AC POTOM ND U O PLAYGR
L
SCHOO
E
AVE RAND NOST
HA
Marcy Plaza and Fulton Street
REET
ST MACON
VERONA PLAC
E
IN TOMPK
S AVE
BED-STUY NOW
NOUGH
MARCY AVE
MACDO
FULTON STREE
T
ST
MARCY PLAZA
RETAIL
HERKIMER ST
SATTALITE EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAYGROUND 2. Expanding Marcy Plaza into Marcy Ave.
CIVIC 1. Build a Blank Wall to Life. Marcy Plaza lies at the heart of Bed-Stuy. Black Lives Matter mural was painted on Fulton St. The opportunity is to further strengthen the heart of Bed-Stuy. The wide sidewalk on the south side of Fulton St. and the blank building
RESTORATION PLAZA
wall become a great opportunity for people to stop, sit, and reflect on the BLM plaza. It has the potential to be elevated with seating and planting to offer a safe, shady and well socialdistanced outdoor space.
ATLANTIC A
On the other side, Marcy Ave is a one way street with two side parking lanes and no bus route. It also connects Macon St. - a NYC open street. With the nearby restaurants, shops, salons and other small businesses, Marcy Ave can
be a adequate expansion for outdoor booths, dining, garden and other possibilities while traffic is maintained with lower speed.
BROOKLYN AV ENUE
NEW YORK AV ENUE
BLM PLAZA
These two opportunities can encourage the adjacent small business and provide more outdoor chances with proper social distancing strategies for the community.
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Open Space
Black Lives Matter Mural
Opportunity 1
T OUGH S
Veterina
Blink Fitn
ess
ry Clinic
alon Beauty S
Hair Salo
BLACK LIVES M
ATTER IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII II
Building
EFRONT Super Foodtown of Bedford Stuyes ant
E
Restoration Plaza
I
ACTIVE STOR
BROOKLYN AV
LL
Citibank
BUILDING WA Chase Bank
Parking
n
eong Wing Ch
United House of Prayer For All
book Store
Applebees
TD Bank
Carver Bank
NEW YORK AV
E
FULTON ST
MARCY AVE
Tastee Pattee
MACDON
HERKIMER ST
Top: Fichtre, installation, Mille plateaux, Nantes,2012 Bottom: W Architecture & Landscape Architecture, Plaza 33,NYC
Building a Blank Wall to Life (BLM Plaza) using the blank facade on south sidewalk The shady area is perfect for sitting and viewing the mural and street activities.
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Open Space
Black Lives Matter Mural
Opportunity 1
BLACK LIVES M BUS
ness Blink Fit
ry Clinic Veterina
alon Beauty S
United House of Prayer For All
n Hair Salo
TD Bank
eong Wing Ch
MARCY AVE
6’distance
6’
2’
FULTON ST
ATTER IIIIIIIIIIIIIII II
II
6’
4’
6’
2’
Super Foodtown of Bedford Stuyesant
Citibank
Chase Bank / Restoration Plaz a Building
book Store
Garage
Carver Bank
RETAIL ACTI VITY
1.5’ 10’
4’
2’ 4’
Planting modules (gabion box with soil) & Individual seats (plywood) Size helps maintain 6ft required distance. Varying size for different size groups (see next page).
The sidewalk on the south side of Fulton St. is approximately 19’ wide. Activating the blank wall and the wide side walk, pedestrian circulation of the sidewalk can be maintained while enough space can be used for seating and with plenty of reflecting on BLM Plaza.
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Open Space
Black Lives Matter Mural
Opportunity 1
Blank Wall approx. 8’HT Spaces Along the Wall
CLE
AR P ATH F
OR C
IRCU
LAT
ION
VIEW
9FT 19FT
6’distance 6’ 5’
3.5’
3’
8’
4’
6’
4’
4’ 6’ Top: Space on the sidewalk & Building Wall
Bottom: Bleacher Two on left: Seating Nooks - Group seating with social distancing
6’ 6’
Right: Height for the ground mural, with robust planting and tiered seating. The length and height provide safe social distance.
6’
0.5’ 1.5’ 8’
9’
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BED-STUY NOW
Applied Graphics Applying consistent, clear and engaging graphics Bed-Stuy-wide across architectural interventions will help to unify messages and increase a sense of community, reliablity and safety.
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
12in circular vinyl stickers
Open Space
Shown here is an example of vinyl stickers applied to the step seating on Marcy Ave and Fulton Street.
Black Lives Matter Mural
Opportunity 1
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PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
L
AVE INS TOMPK
NOUGH
FULTON STREE
T
MARCY PLAZA
ATLANTIC AVE The street parking space on Marcy Ave can be turned into open space and provide spaces for nearby restaurants, retail, plaza and gardens following social distancing guidelines to encourage local business and fulfill the community needs for outdoor activities. Single lane of one way traffic is maintained.
(LIRR)
HERKIMER ST
RETAIL SATTALITE EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL CIVIC PLAYGROUND
ATLANTIC AVE Expansion Alternatives Left: Both sides of the street in narrow width, straight traffic route Mid: One side on each block, expanded on Marcy Plaza side, subtle turn for slow traffic Right: One side on each block,expanded across from Marcy Plaza, subtle turn for slow traffic
(LIRR)
ENUE
ENUE
RESTORATION PLAZA
NEW YORK AV
ENUE
ENUE
BLM PLAZA
BROOKLYN AV
BROOKLYN AV
RETAIL SATTALITE EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL CIVIC PLAYGROUND
NEW YORK AV
ENUE
ENUE
BLM PLAZA
HERKIMER ST
ST
RESTORATION PLAZA
BROOKLYN AV
T
RESTORATION PLAZA
T STREE
MACDO MARCY AVE
FULTON STREE
ST
MARCY PLAZA
BLM PLAZA
NEW YORK AV
L
SCHOO
MACON
VERONA PLAC
MARCY PLAZA
NOUGH
MACDO MARCY AVE
ST
AC POTOM ND U O R G PLAY
E
INS TOMPK
T STREE
E MARCY AVE
VERONA PLAC
E
VERONA PLAC
NOUGH
Opportunity 2
AC POTOM ND T YGROU S Y E S HAL PLA
SCHOO
MACON
AVE
AVE RAND NOST
T STREE
Slowed Street
AVE MARCY
L
MACDO
T
RR)
AVE MARCY
AVE MARCY
AC POTOM T YGROUND S Y E S HAL PLA
SCHOO
MACON
Open Space
AVE RAND NOST
BED-STUY NOW
HERKIMER ST
SATTALITE EAST MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAYGROUND
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BED-STUY NOW
N ST MACO
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Open Space
Slowed Street
Y AVE MARC
12FT
22’ X 185’ SPACE: SMALL GROUP SEATING? INDIVIDUAL HAMMOCKS? FIXED/MOVABLE SEATING? SHADE CANOPY ? POLLINATOR GARDEN?
Opportunity 2
1.5’ 4’
1.5’
2’ 6’
2’
T 12F OUGH
ON MACD
ST
1.5’
3’ 10’ 2’
12FT
18’ X 180’ SPACE: 10 RETAIL BOOTHS? POLLINATOR GARDEN? SMALL GROUP SEATING? INDIVIDUAL HAMMOCKS? FIXED/MOVABLE SEATING? SHADE CANOPY ?
4’
MARCY PLAZA
FULTON ST
NYC DOT OPEN STREET BLM PLAZA
Marcy Ave can be more open and provide opportunities for outdoor dining, retail and gardens. It’s the missing link connecting the BLM Plaza, Marcy Plaza RESTORATION and NYC open street- Macon St
NEW YORK AVE
6’
PLAZA
Gardens, Seating, Barriers Modules of planting in the gabion boxes can be barriers for social distancing, street barriers as well as garden elements. Group or individual seats are flexible to meet different needs.
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Open Space
Opportunity 2
ST
AVE MARCY
MACON
Slowed Street
NOUGH
MACDO
ST
MARCY PLAZA
FULTON ST
BLACK LIVES M NEW YORK AVE
ATTER IIIIIIIIIIIIIII II
RESTORATION PLAZA
Marcy Plaza as a Center to connect more open spaces. By expanding Marcy Plaza into Marcy Ave, pedestrian amenity is extended with place to sit, eat and retail. Building a blank wall to life with seating and planting extends the green infrastructure-healthy air and cooling effects. With both extension of the spaces, Marcy Plaza and fulfill more neighborhoods needs and encourage small business.
II
NYC DOT OPEN ST
REET
- BLM PLAZA
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Right: Birdlink, Installation, Manhattan’s Lower East Side Mid: Grass Planted Gabions Left: Willouby St with slow traffic in downtown Brooklyn
Open Space
Slowed Street
References
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Site Conditions General Public + Private Zones
gh
u no
Do
c Ma
M ar cy Av e
Open Space
Civic / Programming
Site Conditions Existing Buildings + Uses
St
gh
u no
Do
c Ma
M ar cy Av e
Analysis and Conditions
St
te iva Pr b Pu lic
t nS
t nS
to Ful
to Ful
Site Conditions Existing Street Culture
Site Conditions Climatic Environment
n
Do
c Ma
M ar cy Av e
t hS
g ou
M ar cy Av e
t nS
t nS
to Ful
The study of the Marcy Plaza area helped us understand what are the activities that usually happen in the plaza and how it links with the surrounding businesses and public spaces. The plaza is located right next to the Black Lives Matter Mural and across Restoration Plaza,
giving us the opportunity to stich these series of public spaces to give the neighborhood a quality outdoor public space and to help promoting the surrounding businesses. Our proposal seeks to activate this plaza, providing a safe space where people can gather
n
Do
c Ma
t hS
g ou
to Ful
during this Pandemic time, and while doing this, the businesses located in the surroundings will be benefited from the continuous flow of people.
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Initial Provocations Proposed Expansion of Pedestrian Zone t hS
ug
o on
D
c Ma
M ar cy Av e
Open Space
Programming
Civic / Programming
Design Proposal
Kids playground + performances
Programming
Circulation + art display
Education + community talks
Communication + art display
Pop up stores + street vending
Seating with distancing
Kids playground + performances t nS
to Ful
planters
for
social
Circulation + art display
Initial Provocations Potential Zones for Activation
D
c Ma
M ar cy Av e
t hS
ug
o on
Education + community talks
Communication + art display
Pop up stores + street vending
Seating with distancing
planters
for
social
t nS
to Ful
WayďŹ nding Social Distancing Linking Street art & Culture
Ma
M ar cy Av e
t hS
ug
no
o cD
t nS
to Ful
The global pandemic of COVID-19 has shaped our society and the way people experience everyday life. Not only has there been a global pandemic, but a social justice movement that finally exposed long-standing racial inequities in every aspect of American life and continues
to force a deep reckoning across society. Our intention for Marcy Plaza is to invest in a robust community process to understand how people are behaving outside their homes – primarily in public spaces and streets. By collecting this data, through an inclusive approach, we
can give the community a voice to shape our response. We want to avoid exclusion and create an actively inclusive plaza which provides a sense of attachment, belonging and emotional
investment for everyone. Restoration Plaza & the Fulton Street Black Lives Matter mural are already well-established and important cultural centerpieces, we hope to expand the catchment area of this social hub through our design of Marcy Plaza.
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Programming BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Open Space
Civic / Programming
M ar cy Av e
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Scaffolding Modules
Potential location for integrated solar energy canopies
Needs As health experts say we can do more outdoors, where ventilation is better, there are a variety of urgent and major needs identified by the community, which we are prioritizing as follows:
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Covid-19 education and awareness – the plaza advocating for disease prevention in the community Help local businesses re-open faster and more effectively Amplify meaningful artistic voices within the
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community Play area to compensate for cancelled children’s summer activities. Comfortable, shaded and safe place for outdoor respite.
n o t l Fu
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Design Concepts
The high-level and simple concepts are as follows: • A framework for mapping out the 6ft social distance requirement. • Planters and graphics to indicate social distancing measures. • Creation of three key spaces (with additional
Open Space
seating), shifting from more public to more intimate from south to north; art + cultural; social + breakout; and education + play. •
Variety of simple shading across the plaza defining/responding to the key spaces.
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The three key spaces can be described as follows: Art + Cultural Canvas for outdoor art gallery amplifying artists in the community. Both formally for commissioned artists and informally where blank canvas allow the public to write / draw and express themselves.
Civic / Programming
Scaffolding: Main Space
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BED-STUY NOW
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Social + Breakout
Socially distanced seating space integrated into existing landscape. Also includes temporary furniture. This space can be used for educational purposes, speeches or talks in a more intimate and local scale.
Open Space
Civic / Programming
Scaffolding: Education Space
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Education + Play
Pop-up playground with socially distanced swings; pop-up library (similar to Street Lab Project); and canvases for educational graphics creating awareness amongst the community about COVID-19 disease prevention. To the north of the plaza we locate a playground for kids, creating a safe environment where parents can
Open Space
spend time with their kids. This area can algo be used as a small gathering or performance space, as the circular shape creates an anphitheater where the art piece becomes the center of the space.
Civic / Programming
Scaffolding: Playground
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Solar Powered Fabric
Providing a safe public space for community gathering implies the need of also providing light and electricity to the space. Effectively, any surface that is getting hit by the sun, can be a fabric that generates electricity Through integrated pv cells on the shading fabric, we can provide lighting that will make the plaza a safe
Open Space
space to also be used after sunset. Aditionnaly, the electricity generated by the pv cells can be used to power charging stations that will benefit the users of the plaza.
Civic / Programming
Solar: PVILION Integrated PV
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Open Space
Please
apart
To Fulton St
keep 6’
Please
apart
To Fulton St
To Marcy Ave
apart
To Marcy Ave Please keep 6’ apart
Layout 1
Tables & Chairs
To Marcy Ave
keep 6’
To Fulton St
One of the key elements when using a public space during pandemic times is to make sure people follow social distancing measures that guarantee the safety of everone using the space. Through the use of arrows and floor decals we provide a clear circulation space where people stay at least 6’ away, including
Wayfinding
To Fulton St
To Fulton St
To Fulton St Please keep 6’ apart
Tables & Chairs
Civic / Programming
keep 6’
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Please
BED-STUY NOW
Please keep 6’ apart
Layout 2
Tables & Chairs
indications of the locations of adjacent streets, areas used for different activities and a 6’ grid throughout the space so people mantain social distance. The color chosen for this graphics is yellow, in line with the black lives matter mural, providing continuation with its message. Please keep 6’ apart
Layout 3
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Retail
Exterior Interventions
Lighting Can be Mounted If needed
Open Weave Shade Canopy is inexpensive, colorful and lets wind and water pass through
Standard System or Tube & Clamp Scaffolding used in 6 ft modules
Scaffolding Infrastructure
Width can be adjusted 3ft - 6ft according site needs
Fabric Divider
Plywood for Seating secured to frame
Hammock or other
Weight anchors as needed
Market Stand
6ft
Shaded display tables adaptable to needed uses or graphics
Display Panel for info Kiosk or other programs
6ft Scaffolding Modules insure that people maintain safe distance Seat Dividers Shaded Seating In or Out of module
Agricultural shading fabric used for canopy
Structure
Cooling and Resting
Flexible Neighborhood Infrastructure
Maintainable
Using standard scaffolding (Systems or Tube & Clamp) to create market stands for local merchants or pop-up open air markets in sidewalk or closed streets.
Could be used to also create additional cooling zones, resting areas, or community programs satellites in the neighborhood.
Serves as temporary infrastructure that is exible to work in different sites while minimizing waste once dismantled.
Sturdy frame is ideal for street use with minimal maintenance. Shading fabric and plywood planes would be fastened securely directly to the frame.
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BED-STUY NOW
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Li
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Retail
Exterior Interventions
Scaffolding Infrastructure
e or
Outdoor wine tasting + sales counter
Information Panel about Liquid Assets + products
Wood benches + canopies secured to scaffolding
Shaded seating for waiting
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BED-STUY NOW
General ideas • clear and simple geometry • structural stability • a catalogue of pieces • easy assembly / assembly manual • flat packing (storage)
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
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raw finish / self-decorated by users color coded in a minimal way
Pieces • stool • bench • table • hand sanitizer stand
Retail
Modular Designs
Location
Furniture
• • • •
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in front of store in the plaza in the back alley moveable at night
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A variety of furniture to provide display and rest option Simple to assemble and produce Interlocking plywood can be customized by each business
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System of furniture that is flexible and has interchangeable components
Furniture Concept
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Retail
Modular Designs
Furniture Concept
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Key: 1 - Table 2 - Stool for waiting 3 - High table for sanitizer 4 - Stool for waiting outside
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Retail
Solano Optical Boutique
Signage
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Retail
Rose Discount Beauty Store
Signage
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Retail
Liquid Assets
Signage
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Context
Current Protocols
We held chats with Business Owner Jerome Archer to establish the Scope of COVID-19 Retrofit for Platinum Cuts. They are open and managing operational change.
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Appointments to space out Customers Scheduling arrival times of Barbers & Hair Stylists to maintain limited numbers Toilet set up for Barbers & Stylists to wash hands and put on masks and gloves
Professional Services
Platinum Cuts
Design Opportunities • • •
Adherence Gap Need for barrier separation of chairs Need to modify HVAC system for HEPA Filter
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Fixed and/or mobile Barrier Walls between Stations Need for Business to expand capacity by adding a 6th Chair
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Barrier Wall should allow for visibility in space and to door for security Opportunity for Business Signage to communicate to street
Introduction
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Professional Services
Platinum Cuts
Aerial Plan Diagram
FLOOR NUMBERS
RELOCATED HAIR WASH STATIONS (2) NEW DIVDER WALLS (6) NEW BARBER CHAIR
NEW STOREFRONT SIGNAGE
NOSTRAND AVENUE
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Professional Services
Platinum Cuts
Divider Design
1. TRANSPARENT
2. SEMI-TRANSPARENT
3.TRANSLUCENT
1. TRANSPARENT • 2 x 6 wood framing with plexiglass / acrylic panels • Painted black to match existing interior
2. SEMI-TRANSPARENT • 2 x 6 wood framing with wood panels and plexiglass / acrylic panels • Painted black to match existing interior • Painted Green to match existing exterior
3. TRANSLUCENT • 2 x 6 wood framing, painted black with metal panels and plexiglass or polycarbonate panels • Painted black to match existing interior
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Professional Services
Platinum Cuts
Divider Design
+/- 6’-0”
PAINTED WOOD FRAME
PLEXIGLASS PANEL
PAINTED WOOD PANELING TO MATCH EXISTING STORE INTERIOR
+/-7’-0”
6”
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Professional Services
Platinum Cuts
Divider Design
+/- 6’-0”
PAINTED WOOD FRAME
PLEXIGLASS PANEL
+/-7’-0”
6”
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BED-STUY NOW
PART 3 INTERVENTIONS
Professional Services
Platinum Cuts
Divider Design
+/- 6’-0”
METAL STUD FRAME
PLEXIGLASS PANEL
METAL PANELS
+/-7’-0”
6”
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Professional Services
Platinum Cuts
In-Situ Divider Design
Updated Exterior Graphics
Updated Interior Floor Graphics
Potential Divider Design
Additional Space for New Barber Chair
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Religous spaces pose a hig health risk during Covid times due to the nature of their spaces. These type of spaces congreagate a high number of people in a limited space during certain period of times. In order to mantain social distance, we limit the number of praying stations, staggering them and doubling the
space available for each person. Addditionally, we create graphic routes on the floor for people to follow when entering and leaving the building, with marks every 6’ so people can walk in a safe way in the building. There are 4 different praying spaces in the building, and each of them has its own entrance/exit,
Civic
so people using the different spaces are not in touch with each other. Through decals and signage we make sure the users of the building walk in and out in an organized manner, minimizing the risk of spreading the virus.
Masjid At-Taqwa
Wayfinding
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THANK YOU BED-STUY NOW
We hope to build a safer, stronger, and more resilient community for Bed-Stuy businesses and Bed-Stuy residents.
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