155th Street Viaduct Plaza
A part of the Neighborhood Plan:
BRADHURST: UNDER THE VIADUCT
SPONSORING ORGANIZATION:
Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI)
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION:
Harlem Community Development Corporation (HCDC)
URBAN DESIGN & PLAZA DESIGN:
Meta Brunzema Architect P.C. (MBAPC)
Preliminary proposal presentation to
Manhattan Community Board #10
N e ig h b o rh o o d P la n - BRADHURST : UNDER THE VIADUCT
Key P l a n s h ow i ng 1 5 5 t h St re e t Via d u ct
A
LEGEND
Highbridge
Park
BRADHURST : UNDER THE VIADUCT
155th Street Viaduct
1
Roger M o r r is
Park
1
Trinity
Cemetery
Subway
Mullaly
Park
School
B
Playground
Library
M
Museum
Yankee
Stadium
Jackie Robinson
Park
Riverbank
State Park
Ha rle m Riv er
L
Macombs Dam
Park
3
Institution
Park
Franz Siegel
Park
CUNY
City College
Hudson River
2
St. Nicholas
Park
M
M
Rivers ide
Park
Bronx
Harlem
Hospital Center
L
4
6
Harlem
L
Columbia
U n ive rs i t y
L
M
H a r le m R iver
Park
L
M
L
Marc us Garvey
M e m o r ia l Park
Morningside
Park
L
M
L
Randall's Island
Park
M
N
Central Park
Site plan
Client: Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement & Harlem Community Development Corporation - New York
Meta Brunzema Architect P.C. 459 West 35th Street, 5th Floor New York NY 10001 Telephone 212 643 0218
HISTORY: 1 5 5 th S tre e t Via d u c t P l a za , NYC
S i t e a n d Vi a d u c t h ist o rica l n o t e s
LEGEND
BRADHURST : UNDER THE VIADUCT
155th St. Viaduct
Proposed Plaza
HCCI
Frederick Douglass Boulevard
In the 19th century, the Harlem River extended to
Frederick Douglass Boulevard - and the proposed plaza
site - until the streets were graded in 1882. The area
under the viaduct (completed in 1893) was known at the
turn of the century as a place of pleasure and public
entertainment. 19th century historical records show that
the area was used as an “ amusement ground ” and was
used for picnics by “ holiday crowds ”. During the early
20th century, a circus owned by the Ringling Brothers
set up tents under the viaduct with elephants, horses
and acrobats. The Polo Grounds stadium (1891 - 1963)
was located just north of the viaduct. During the 1960’
and 1970’, the viaduct structure and the space beneath
it became derelict. The thriller novel “The Viaduct”
(Doubleday, 2004) written by former Harlem resident
Grace F. Edwards describes the gritty feeling of the
area. At present, the area under and near the viaduct is
still known as a dark and dangerous place that divides
the NYCHA housing projects from the rest of the
Bradhurst neighborhood especially at night.
Repeatedly, the community has asked for more lighting
and greater security measures.
Viele map excerpt showing plaza site
The viaduct - above the proposed plaza - was completed in 1893. A New York
Times article of July 2000 points out that the “ viaduct (was) at the center of a
suite of road works unsurpassed in turn-of-the-century New York ”.
Furthermore, the article describes the site of the proposed plaza:
And it is underneath where this work is still its most majestic.
At the intersection of 155th Street and Frederick Douglass
Boulevard, the view west is dramatic: an airy network of
rivet-spotted columns and skinny crossbars marching away into
the huge, rocky stone abutment leading up to St. Nicholas Place .
Viaduct structure completed in 1893 -a historic landmark
The viaduct, designed by the engineer Alfred P. Boller, was designated a historic
landmark in 1992 and the New York City Department of Transportation has
completed a $160 million dollar restoration of the structure in 2003.
Client: Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement & Harlem Community Development Corporation - New York
Meta Brunzema Architect P.C. 459 West 35th Street, 5th Floor New York NY 10001 Telephone 212 643 0218
15 5 th Stre et Via d u ct P la z a , N YC
H i s to r i c p h o t o s - Th e Po lo G ro u n d s
The Polo Grounds - stadium under construction 1891 (demolished 1964)
The Polo Grounds - ball game
Client: Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement & Harlem Community Development Corporation - New York
Meta Brunzema Architect P.C. 459 West 35th Street, 5th Floor New York NY 10001 Telephone 212 643 0218
15 5 th Stre et Via d u ct P la z a , N YC
H i s to r i c p h o t o - Lege n d a ry Ru cke r Pa rk
Rucker Park game - 155th street viaduct is in the background (approximately 1970ties)
Client: Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement & Harlem Community Development Corporation - New York
Meta Brunzema Architect P.C. 459 West 35th Street, 5th Floor New York NY 10001 Telephone 212 643 0218
15 5 th Stre et Via d u ct P la z a , N YC
Pha s e 1 - E x i s ti ng Sit e C o n d it io n s
View looking east
Client: Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement & Harlem Community Development Corporation - New York
Meta Brunzema Architect P.C. 459 West 35th Street, 5th Floor New York NY 10001 Telephone 212 643 0218
15 5 th Stre et Via d u ct P la z a , N YC
Pha s e 1 - E x i s ti ng Sit e C o n d it io n s
View looking south-west
Client: Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement & Harlem Community Development Corporation - New York
Meta Brunzema Architect P.C. 459 West 35th Street, 5th Floor New York NY 10001 Telephone 212 643 0218
15 5 th Stre et Via d u ct P la z a , N YC
Ph a s e 1 - No r th ern Ed ge o f Via d u ct
View looking west - blank wall of supermarket at right
Client: Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement & Harlem Community Development Corporation - New York
Meta Brunzema Architect P.C. 459 West 35th Street, 5th Floor New York NY 10001 Telephone 212 643 0218
15 5 th Stre et Via d u ct P la z a , N YC
Existing Conditions - Supermarket at 155th & 8th
View looking north -west
Client: Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement & Harlem Community Development Corporation - New York
Meta Brunzema Architect P.C. 459 West 35th Street, 5th Floor New York NY 10001 Telephone 212 643 0218
15 5 th Stre et Via d u ct P la z a , N YC
Pha s e s 1 & 2 - E x ist in g Sit e C o n d it io n s
View looking north-west
Client: Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement & Harlem Community Development Corporation - New York
Meta Brunzema Architect P.C. 459 West 35th Street, 5th Floor New York NY 10001 Telephone 212 643 0218
15 5 th Stre et Via d u ct P la z a , N YC
Pha s e 1 - E x i s tin g Sit e C o n d it io n s
View looking west - potential subway entry at right
Client: Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement & Harlem Community Development Corporation - New York
Meta Brunzema Architect P.C. 459 West 35th Street, 5th Floor New York NY 10001 Telephone 212 643 0218
15 5 th Stre et Via d u ct P la z a
Key D i ag ra m o f U rb a n P la za
Hydroponic
Greenhouse
on school
Orchard or Nursery
Subway
Subway
Thermal Power
New
Housing ?
Rucker
Subway
Screen
P
Food coop/cafe
G
Baseball
Diamond
Playground
Open
Fountain
h
Bike pat
Benches/Tables
Solar Parasols
New Affordable Housing
Extent of Plaza
25,600 Sq. Feet
Site plan
Client: Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement & Harlem Community Development Corporation - New York
Meta Brunzema Architect P.C. 459 West 35th Street, 5th Floor New York NY 10001 Telephone 212 643 0218