East Harlem Second Avenue Corridor Streetscape Enhancement Framework

Streetscape is the specific arrangement of light posts, trash cans, trees, signage, building facades – or other elements – in a given street or avenue. It increases the value of the local business and residential properties and works as a catalyst for revitalization in distressed communities. Second Avenue in East Harlem (between 96th Street and 128th Street) can use these investments in order to anticipate development generated by the recent rezoning and the prospects of a new subway line along the Avenue.

The Second Avenue Corridor in East Harlem has a mixed-use neighborhood scale character that should be reinforced by any landscaping and design. Such revitalization through streetscaping will promote the gradual development of the area and allow current businesses and residents to accommodate early on to the expected gentrifying pressure. By doing so the community will hit the ground running when any development and the new subway are here.

The goal of revitalizing Second Avenue through streetscape enhancements has been identified by the community since its 1996 197-A Plan, and reconfirmed in the 2002 Community Design Workshop implemented by Community Board 11, Manhattan Borough President’s Office, and Regional Plan Association. Two concrete objectives will be achieved by following this goal. Economic value creation will foster new housing and commercial revitalization opportunities, particularly in areas that are in proximity to the new subway service. Social capital generation will come as a result of community quality-of-life opportunities, especially neighborhood cohesion and increased confidence.

The analysis and recommendations of this report are based on the results of the 2002 workshop, further discussions by the Second Avenue Corridor Working Group, a land use survey, and a poll of 100 businesses along the avenue. The workshop articulated a mixed-use vision for Second Avenue that would provide a transition from the more residential First Avenue and a commercial corridor along Third Avenue. It also suggested particular functions and themes for the intersections of the three subway stops at 106th, 116th and 125th Street.

The poll asked business owners and employees to prioritize the street improvements that would have the greatest impact on the avenue. Five items were cited as one of the three most important additions by at least 33 percent of respondents: better lighting, sidewalk maintenance, trash cans at intersections, more trees, and improved school and pedestrian crossings.

This research suggests a series of general recommendations intended to improve and enhance the public space environment along Second Avenue:

• Create a distinctive character for the avenue which reinforces and revitalizes it as a neighborhood-scale mixed-use corridor.
• Enhance safety with improved lighting and better designed pedestrian crossings.
• Improve appearance and cleanliness with better sidewalk maintenance and additional trash receptacles.
• Create a more inviting pedestrian experience with new street trees and the judicious use of street furniture, such as plantings and benches.
• Explore the need and possibility of uniform awnings and signage for the retail establishments in the avenue.
• Explore alternatives to relate the Superblock housing projects to the built environment of the corridor.

These broad recommendations provide a direction for designing and implementing a comprehensive streetscape program. However, the specifics of this program will depend on a number of additional considerations. In particular, the cost and feasibility of different design options will require in-depth research and vetting with community leaders, residents, and business owners, as well as with the agencies that will be responsible for implementation. It is also affected by who actually finances and manages the initiative. The timing and phasing of the improvements are also an issue that should be addressed in the future. In Chapter 3, we provide phasing criteria that could guide this effort. As outlined in the following sections, several next steps are proposed to make the streetscape enhancements a reality:

Immediate Improvements

The City Council should approve several of the less expensive improvements that do not involve complicated design decisions and can be implemented through the annual City budget process. For example, an increase in trash receptacles and maintenance in existing lighting fixtures and sidewalk maintenance can begin to address high priority concerns without a time-consuming process.

Streetscape Plan

The Department of City Planning should undertake an analysis of cost, feasibility and design issues and produce a Streetscape Plan, similar to what was produced for Malcolm X Boulevard and as is been considered for the 125th Corridor, to guide a comprehensive reshaping of Second Avenue’s public realm.

Financing and Management

Community Board 11, with the assistance of RPA and elected officials, should help reach out to existing Community Development Corporations (CDCs) to manage funds and oversee implementation. Long-term funding should be sought from the federal, state and local programs and philanthropic funding sources described in Chapter 3.