For all the architects out there, the
Institute for Urban Design is now inviting folks to rework some of the ideas submitted in creating a better city (in concept). The above vintage postcard that is about a century old shows that the Manhattanville viaduct over by Twelfth Avenue was designed also for pedestrian pleasures. Unlike the High Line downtown, this landmark structure had an original function to it that invited the casual stroll to catch a glimpse of the Hudson River views. Beaux Arts globe lights that use to line the broad bridge have been replaced by ones that have more of a utilitarian aesthetic and a high, chain link fence is the modern variation of the decorative cast iron ones in the image.
Although there is some traffic on an average day, most of the lanes are pretty underused and the area is really a large parking lot. The two sides of the road here are used for parking on most days so redesigning the viaduct by taking over these areas with green space could actually transform it back to its original use. The design competition for Urban Design week is now looking for designers to compete for a $500 prize and rework some of the submitted ideas which also include the viaduct. Check out the site for more details and get the plans sent in by July 14th to qualify:
LINK
"Racetrack" would be a more accurate description for the viaduct than "Parking lot." Yes, people do park here (although I don't know why, since cars are broken into on a regular basis up there), but cars use the fact that there are no lights for 10 blocks to freakin' RACE up to the light at 135th street, without fear of any retaliation.
ReplyDeleteAdd cobblestone so speeding does not become an issue. Take the space of two side walk and two parking lanes and move them over towards the river side of the bridge. That would be a lot of space to work on an urban oasis similar to the High Line. This competition is about solutions and provides a great opportunity to solve the problems of unused public space.
ReplyDeleteTo think Harlem could one day have it’s very own High Line, and by returning this structure to it’s original purpose, genius. Love the postcard and great story.
ReplyDeleteGwin: That's all the more reason to turn this thing back into a pedestrian plaza. Something of a hybrid between the High Line and the recently reclaimed sections of Broadway -- and perhaps also incorporating an alternate "high ground" route for the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway.
ReplyDeleteWestsider: Not just our own High Line, but one with a better view.
I love Ulysses's idea. Also I definitely agree that you have to reach a compromise design just because so many people do depend on that strip for parking, regardless of how dangerous it is. I know because my car was broken into as well.
ReplyDeleteThe parking space would probably have to to be used for the green areas. It would be a loss for those who drive but the overall benefit would make the viaduct more like an open park and deter crime since cars would not be prevalent. It's a compromise that would have to happen for any vision of an uptown High Line.
ReplyDeleteI think it's incredibly unlikely unless Columbia wants it to happen. The High Line only happened because wealthy donors and businesses with views (or property with view potential) helped push it through. Not sure there's enough beneficiaries, unfortunately.
ReplyDelete@Cool Blue Reason: I hear you, but this stretch is a VERY busy thruway on Friday nights (when everyone's trying to get out of town and the traffic is backed up all the way down both the West Side Highway and Riverside Drive). also, gattopardo has a good point: there aren't enough wealthy benefactors/neighbors to push this forward at the moment, and I actually doubt Columbia will have an interest in it since the viaduct is actually pretty hard to get to from below (unlike the High Line). You have to go to one end or the other.
ReplyDeleteFair points -- but what about a redesign that would actually connect with the new campus?
ReplyDeleteFinding some way of connecting RSD directly to the Manhattanville campus would provide a valuable link to the Morningside section, and that might just be enough to get CU on board with a larger project for revitalizing the viaduct.
So, any aspring architects here want to leave their mark? I don't believe the design and construction work under the Manhattanville master plan is nearly so far along as to be unalterable at this stage...