Team Selected for Hudson Square Improvement Project
The construction, engineering and architecture pros will upgrade Hudson Street between West Houston and Canal streets, adding pedestrian space and amenities.
NEW YORK CITY— New York City Economic Development Corporation, the New York City Department of Transportation, and the Hudson Square Business Improvement District have selected Prima Paving Corporation, Sam Schwartz Engineering, D.P.C. and Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects as a joint consultancy team to redesign Hudson Street between W. Houston and Canal streets.
The project is a major public-private, design-build investment to create a grand boulevard improving pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic safety. It will extend sidewalks along Hudson Street up to five feet and add green space and other improvements along the seven-block corridor.
The project scope includes 8,041 square feet of planting areas filled with various trees, shrubs and perennials; urban forestry; new benches accommodating 168 seats; 2,255 square feet of space for future sidewalk cafes; sidewalk realignments and new pedestrian ramps; a bike lane on Hudson Street from Houston to Canal Street; and over 40 additional bike racks. Construction is anticipated to be completed in fall 2021.
“The Hudson Street streetscape will become a vibrant destination for surrounding communities,” says NYCEDC president and CEO James Patchett. “We are pleased to work with our agency partners, community stakeholders and design-build consultants to help expedite this project in record time to beautify the neighborhood and improve public safety conditions for all New Yorkers.”
Using design-build in the city’s construction process allows bidding of design, construction and contracting together as a single entity rather than as separate bids. The design-build method is used to increase efficiency, minimize disturbance to communities and help reduce project costs. Construction is anticipated to be completed in fall 2021.
Prima Paving Corporation will lead the design-build team and will be responsible for overseeing related construction. Sam Schwartz Engineering, D.P.C will lead engineering, design, agency approvals and public outreach. Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects will oversee landscape architecture and urban design.
The streetscape improvement plan, called Hudson Square is Now, is a public-private partnership with the City of New York. Over the last decade, the plan has been a blueprint for substantial physical improvements on public land, designed to manage traffic, create pedestrian-friendly open spaces, promote environmental sustainability and support retail. The $13 million Hudson Street project is the final piece in the $27 million, multi-phase master plan. The overall plan has included planting and retrofitting 250 trees and the revitalization of Spring Street Park, a public space.