Street transformed in the wake of congestion pricing
Manhattan congestion pricing is supporting new placemaking projects by easing neighborhood traffic. The 14th Street Promenade in the Meatpacking District, which was dedicated several weeks ago, is a good example.
Five parklets were installed in a two-block section of the cobblestone 14th Street near the Hudson River, with design led by TYLin and the new urbanist firm Street Plans Collaborative. This involved taking 18 feet of pavement away from cars for each parklet. Two policy choices were conducive to this change: Congestion pricing, and a nearby section of 14th Street (not including these blocks) was converted to a busway in 2019, lowering traffic along the corridor.
“The national lesson learned here is that the busway and congestion pricing resulted in a level of traffic evaporation making these types of changes politically possible,” says Mike Lydon of Street Plans. “It's really remarkable how much better lower Manhattan is with congestion pricing in place!” Congestion pricing began in early January this year, covering the entire island below 60th Street. Recent figures show a drop in congestion zone traffic of 11 percent.
The parklets are built by a Norwegian firm called Vestre. Wooden platforms are laid down over the street pavement—no jackhammers or concrete were required for installation. Flexible seating of the same wood, including benches and lounge chairs, is arranged on the platforms. The platforms are protected from cars by steel planters and large stone blocks (which double as seating). Planters provide greenery, including small trees, along the promenade.
Each of the parklets is custom-designed to fit the location. One has elevated seating to take advantage of river views. Another has extra pedestrian space to accommodate egress from a High Line entrance.
“The materials pair well with the neighborhood’s urban fabric, appearing as though they always could have been there, while maintaining a breath of contemporary design,” writes the Architects Newspaper.
All told, the project reclaims nearly 16,000 square feet for pedestrians, including 4,000 square feet of new parklets. The arrangement is expected to last 15 years, and it was simple to install.
The 14th Street Promenade is the latest in a series of tactical projects that Street Plans designed following the Western Gateway Vision Plan, developed by the Meatpacking District BID in 2022. The first project was a tactical materials pallette, and the second was to deliver Gansevoort Landing Plaza in 2023, which provides a gateway public space and a new pedestrian crossing over the West Side highway to access a new park on the Hudson River. Gansevoort Landing Plaza is located immediately to the west of the Promenade.
