NYC PARKS, DEP, HPD, AND DOUGLASTON DEVELOPMENT BREAK GROUND ON A NEW PLAZA IN HELL’S KITCHEN

Lorraine Hansberry Plaza will provide new seating and tables, a synthetic multi-purpose area, plantings, a water spray feature, and other amenities, while retaining critical DEP operations.

The plaza will include new public restrooms in the adjacent Rialto West affordable housing development

Today, NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura, NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and Douglaston Development announced the Lorraine Hansberry Plaza, a new public space coming to Hell's Kitchen in honor of the playwright and writer. The new plaza will add much-needed public open space to the area while maintaining access for DEP operations.

"We are proud to partner with DEP to transform another space into a vibrant public plaza for New Yorkers to enjoy," said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. "Lorraine Hansberry Plaza will bring much-needed open space, seating, greenery, and recreational amenities to Hell's Kitchen while honoring the legacy of one of the city's most influential writers. This project reflects our shared commitment to creating welcoming, community-centered public spaces across the five boroughs."

"Lorraine Hansberry Plaza is a great example of how we can create new open space in Hell's Kitchen while still supporting DEP's operational needs," said DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia. "DEP is proud to partner with NYC Parks to give the community a welcoming place for neighbors to gather."

"The opening of the Lorraine Hansberry Plaza, a new public greenspace adjacent to the Rialto West development, is a perfect example how we can build needed affordable housing while also ensuring that we are providing the kinds of community spaces that allow neighborhoods to thrive," said HPD Commissioner Dina Levy. "In addition to 158 affordable housing units currently serving formerly homeless and low- to middle-income households, the public plaza will provide residents and neighbors with a place to congregate, to enjoy the outdoors, and to watch their children play. We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone, which will provide 158 families and individuals with not just a home, but a community."

"Douglaston Development, in partnership with Actors Fund Housing Development Corporation, is proud to advance this transformative project in Hell's Kitchen," said Liz Oakley, Chief Development Officer of Douglaston Development. "This milestone represents years of dedicated advocacy, partnership, and collaboration among the community, City agencies, and project stakeholders to bring this important public open space to life."

This project, located on 10th Avenue between West 48th and West 49th Streets, will develop 0.58-acres, transforming the site to include new seating and tables, a synthetic turf multi-purpose area, plantings, permeable paving, curbing, fencing and gates, a water spray feature, drinking fountains with bottle fillers, colored concrete pavement, lighting, trash and recycling receptacles.

In 2017, DEP and NYC Parks reached an agreement regarding the development, maintenance, and management of open space at four sites under DEP jurisdiction in Manhattan. This site is one of four included in the agreement; the other two plazas opened in 2022 at Rapkin-Gayle Plaza in SoHo and Manuel Plaza in NoHo, while work on the fourth site at Hudson Houston Plaza is in procurement. Lorraine Hansberry Plaza, along with the other three sites, will remain under DEP jurisdiction as they continue to serve as key components of DEP operations. NYC Parks will develop, maintain, and manage Lorraine Hansberry Plaza, as well as the new public restrooms, as public open space.

NYC Parks, in coordination with DEP, developed the project through extensive community engagement, including public meetings and presentations to Community Board 4. Feedback from residents helped shape the design, with an emphasis on creating a multi-generational, multi-use open space featuring seating, picnic areas, and plantings.

The $4.3 million dollar project was funded by the New York City Council, NYC DEP, and Oakpoint Charitable Foundation.