|
A rendering of the new George Washington Bus Terminal, which would allow for a revamped system of pedestrian and vehicular traffic throughout the terminal’s corridors, in addition to a shopping center with new retailers such as Marshall’s, the clothing retailer, and Blink, a fitness center.
Story by Gloria Pazmiño and Debralee Santos
The plan to renovate the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal appears to finally be getting underway, according to a presentation made by the developers at the Community Board 12’s Traffic and Transportation Committee on Mon., Sept 12th.
Presenting to a crowd of about 60 people, representatives from the George Washington Bridge Bus Station Development Venture LLC (GWBSDDV) informed neighborhood residents that they have entered into a 99-year ground lease for the redevelopment of the station which opened in 1963.
The project, slated to begin construction in just a few weeks in October, will seek to create a state-of-the-art bus station with new pedestrian and transportation passageways, in addition to a revamped neighborhood shopping center, with both large and small scale retailers.
“It will be a real destination,” explains Douglas Slayton, a partner with the GWBBSDV, who believes the terminal’s current appearance and atmosphere could be significantly improved. He cites concerns about dark corridors and poor lighting throughout the terminal that, some argue, have served as beacons for loiterers.
“The terminal should be an inviting place,” he says. “We want to make it a focal point for the community.”
One of the biggest changes will be the relocating of the bus, jitney, and shuttle traffic that currently moves through the ground level to the third level of the station. Also, the flow-patterns for the 21 bus gates on the third level will also be improved to alleviate congestion and increase bus flow through the station.
Still, before any construction can begin, the Port Authority, which controls the entire third floor, will have to relocate the pedestrian traffic to a temporary facility which will be built on Ft. Washington Avenue between West 178th and 179th Streets. While this temporary facility is in operation, the incoming buses will access the Bus Station from the ramps off the bridge as they do today, except there will be a stairway heading down to West 178th Street where passengers can exit.
The developers argue that while there might be some short-term inconveniences, they have worked diligently to present the safest possible options for the length of construction. Moreover, they say they have already proven responsive to community concerns.
“The initial plans were more complex. We’ve been working with our team and the Port Authority team to rework the plans,” explains Slayton.
The 105,000 square feet of the project will be anchored by three major retailers on the second and third floors of the station, leaving smaller commercial spaces on the ground level of the facility. The largest retailer will be Marshall’s, the clothing retail store, which will occupy the second level and small entry lobby on the ground floor. A Fine Fare supermarket will replace the ground-level area through which shuttle and jitney buses now move. The last addition to the confirmed tenants ia Blink Fitness, a division of the Equinox fitness club chains. There are still five vacant spaces available for rent on the ground floor area. The spaces are designed to attract small merchants and business owners who will benefit from the pedestrian traffic on the ground floor.
“There is really a lot of opportunity,” explains Stephen McBride, a partner in the development team, who points to a sizeable number of leasing opportunities within the new plans. “Some of the spaces available are 500 – 700 square feet, and would work for many local businesses,” he notes.
Moreover, the developers are confident that the addition of the large scale retailers as well as the smaller merchants will help to enhance the shopping experience along the West 181st Street corridor.
“The stores will help to drive even more customers and enhance the [overall] commercial hub,” says Slayton. “This will have a positive ripple effect,” adds McBride.
During the CB12 Traffic and Transportation Committee meeting, residents and board members raised concerns about vehicular and pedestrian traffic, citing current congestion. Of particular concern was the interior connection from the bus station to the 175th Street A-train stop, which will be closed during the construction period. Instead, commuters will exit the terminal mid-block on West 178th Street and walk westbound at street level to the 175th street station.
During the committee meeting, member Mitch Glenn referenced a designated community space included in the plans. The “Community Room,” a meeting space on the third floor, will be a medium-sized room.
“This community room is not big enough. It’s also just a space that has no views, or access to anything,” said Glenn. But, as noted by the developers, that third-floor space will fall under the Port Authority’s jurisdiction, and it will ultimately decide how and when the room is used.
“It’s impossible to have zero impact,” notes Slayton. “We are taking all concerns to heart.”
The final renovation, projected to be completed in the summer of 2013, will illuminate the swath of Broadway and its surrounding sidewalks with new lighting, glass windows, and overall accessibility.
“Broadway will shine at night,” adds Slayton, pointing to the developers’ commitment to the community. “It will become a much safer corridor, and encourage positive activity among the community residents and the commuters.”
|
