The Port Authority Bus Terminal Replacement Project offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve the entire west side of Manhattan.
Over the next 10 years the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan is slated to be replaced with a new structure which will serve over 200,000 riders each day, making it one of the busiest commuter hubs not only in New York City but the entire country. The new terminal will not only play a key function in the region’s transportation system, it will also be a key part of Midtown Manhattan. RPA and our Urban Design Committee have identified two overarching goals to pursue for the urban design of the new terminal:
- Developing a civic destination that also serves as an urban hub
- Improving the surrounding pedestrian connections and environment
Our 10 design considerations for the new terminal work toward these two goals, while also making progress toward stated needs of the scoping documents, specifically improving the passenger experience, providing seamless passenger accessibility and achieving consistency with local and regional land use plans and initiatives. These recommendations will also better position the project to receive federal funding now that the criteria used to inform the selection of competitive transportation grants has been updated.
Transportation terminals - especially in city centers - are more than just a place to get on a bus or train. They serve as landmarks, commercial centers and sources of civic pride. Train terminals, such as Grand Central, are classic examples. Bus terminals need be no different.
- Utilize the rooftop of the new structure. A new terminal offers the opportunity to create publicly accessible open space, green space, or other rooftop uses over some or all of the complex. As currently proposed, the combined rooftop of the new terminal and the auxiliary structure will encompass almost 10 acres of open space, an area the size of Bryant Park or Washington Square Park. Tower development at the site could provide access to this open space.
![PABT roof](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/PABT-roof_2021-09-14-184549.jpg?bossToken=42c4f9a74b443022a569485d47dca1c6fe8a700d781f3a7cd842e6fa99ae227f 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/PABT-roof_2021-09-14-184549.jpg?bossToken=95cc28cbaa9acc660e3596eaf8e1e217286d51358a6c751f52beb7d9c1d9c791 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/PABT-roof_2021-09-14-184549.jpg?bossToken=38b7436a338da9e857c2d73bd1a4a08c839c6dba27e8c7a806bc6cbc5fc16687 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/PABT-roof_2021-09-14-184549.jpg?bossToken=18a434b6a95b382f12735cb8031a5d086652ac534eae052672f703b0f7c8e82d 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/PABT-roof_2021-09-14-184549.jpg?bossToken=61e84ea4d9eedd09c61ecdf56fc75cf74bc53a9ebbd6dc8aaa7adc533dc4a732 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/PABT-roof_2021-09-14-184549.jpg?bossToken=440019cf66281dcc4e2aaba121330fd115ec26ba153883bdd5dfa4a67513e35a 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/PABT-roof_2021-09-14-184549.jpg?bossToken=42359f4cf38e57fc7f7f9296fa50065e691265e7bed2b938607e5ceec44f40a0 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/PABT-roof_2021-09-14-184549.jpg?bossToken=874f9d3365b4f74610f8c659b7475cb1fd7bdc9e76b393534aa6be96e07fc510 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/PABT-roof_2021-09-14-184549.jpg?bossToken=4b4829b14a6c678e8259061e6124bc8fe869e52d861baef63d518f2f4a45bd9e 1543w)
The current roof of the Port Authority Bus Terminal is a six acre expanse of concrete, most of which is closed and not even currently used for parking.
Port Authority Bus Terminal roof, image by RPA
![Transbay roof David Yu](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Transbay-roof-David-Yu_2021-09-14-193237.jpg?bossToken=bf55e414414f4688000c7e2d1fa0f92d52248559089129af230da84fb140c6a5 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Transbay-roof-David-Yu_2021-09-14-193237.jpg?bossToken=04b935cd84b6eb37f9000367cd739d75546cfec812779d28cb1b79c2691da410 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Transbay-roof-David-Yu_2021-09-14-193237.jpg?bossToken=084fb84a6f8920a3adc68cf1c6aae8604c48fe8c0a4ccd3ee3bee12f10fcec72 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Transbay-roof-David-Yu_2021-09-14-193237.jpg?bossToken=1970a2df287e1e577d33ba6f21e45add8914e4bb4cf67dbb050dcd5bbee69336 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Transbay-roof-David-Yu_2021-09-14-193237.jpg?bossToken=b82b4a3e374b6936e6c28c7dbea6dc93fdf35a84592d206f6845e40e3db4454e 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Transbay-roof-David-Yu_2021-09-14-193237.jpg?bossToken=afd1bd69d80b042d43af4a09bae20f90a982027b9c5c63a8656c93572f44240c 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Transbay-roof-David-Yu_2021-09-14-193237.jpg?bossToken=ccfd9ec3c1f89b37cf9858fdd90e4fb5c82b496a17c00117b79fcac15ecf0dba 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Transbay-roof-David-Yu_2021-09-14-193237.jpg?bossToken=919e223dd8e5114cf9e8d227d8b536d9d1832e46a34bccdc2eb2f025353fed1e 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Transbay-roof-David-Yu_2021-09-14-193237.jpg?bossToken=0b256d918c9b563ae768b94bb90d361ab45d7907d0a0bc44411f036c3016952e 1543w)
The new Transbay Terminal in San Francisco features a 5.4 acre rooftop park with public art installations.
Transbay roof, image by David Yu
- Provide additional uses. The complex should include commercial spaces for shops, restaurants, entertainment, green spaces, and community and recreational uses like play spaces for children. This would make the space an engaging and attractive destination for both neighborhood residents and commuters, as opposed to just a passthrough. It is critical to ensure these features are accessible and easy to find.
![Seoul Flower Market Bus Terminal](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Seoul-Flower-Market-Bus-Terminal.jpeg?bossToken=adae3e67b10836ed9a377224022013040387faaa15524a5964a2dc4a0280cb09 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Seoul-Flower-Market-Bus-Terminal.jpeg?bossToken=a2b5c50dbfd3438df7a4c3107af884ba6db23a2e04b0bb77c3b4b9cf9a96f78b 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Seoul-Flower-Market-Bus-Terminal.jpeg?bossToken=a571f9433876fe017c1b2cbdc7abe3fef707eb714e224e2a9fc41b45a4c49c53 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Seoul-Flower-Market-Bus-Terminal.jpeg?bossToken=7bffa9bd1edc7be213df713eacaebaa0882fac7b7411c874051e6e942b560280 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Seoul-Flower-Market-Bus-Terminal.jpeg?bossToken=aa90cd2de519aa6bb92dcf00a87e3f7f19d4f43c5ed5959012a691b329b050f2 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Seoul-Flower-Market-Bus-Terminal.jpeg?bossToken=0a87a24de837ac815d973c4ef1787122f07889140b11d64d45aed17096625894 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Seoul-Flower-Market-Bus-Terminal.jpeg?bossToken=de1d40e6e9d4f3dc1dc2aacc575ab627652a863dc78d3f7857d11f97e73147d6 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Seoul-Flower-Market-Bus-Terminal.jpeg?bossToken=0cfd76c94d2ad51f1d5164292b486eeecdb5bbb33ade739a130868ed1dc035df 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Seoul-Flower-Market-Bus-Terminal.jpeg?bossToken=91b9bc53f11f04573f99307e88e751307800cd4aaf61527c341c28c5568b219b 1543w)
The Seoul Express Bus Terminal in Korea contains a wholesale flower market and multiple movie theaters to appeal to residents and commuters alike.
Seoul Flower Market Bus Terminal, image by Meagan Mastriani
- Consider an entrance plaza with ample open space leading to the main terminal entrance. This could also serve as a signature public space and focal point for the neighborhood, similar to the plaza in front of Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn.
![Kamppi Center II](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Kamppi_Center_II.jpg?bossToken=42100cbe24024b71bdceabed64502a5fe96f025dc306a7a1c9745a0dd2587578 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Kamppi_Center_II.jpg?bossToken=1504d9e8c5ce4914e5e9a1d53d1dbcd1afa051e642ceac2c9efd9963f5ec2621 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Kamppi_Center_II.jpg?bossToken=f73cea0a561b189f9e84a3e6e051a19ac136e23c990d9e31ba025f00d22bc0d2 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Kamppi_Center_II.jpg?bossToken=f496cd46194a51c090eedb8a6f6e944f90ace517c44c668ba0ad84df979d5cc6 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Kamppi_Center_II.jpg?bossToken=2b27f2d454e41d4eab5df0160235eb62d34bf8f4ffb8a8551e12a6e4cee0f8f5 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Kamppi_Center_II.jpg?bossToken=031c9259b10155f6ae23b5bf122799672732f9a011d594a6140921fe3a51db35 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Kamppi_Center_II.jpg?bossToken=33ecb2b3caee9247d3fba2137df72e654bf1b101332ae4fdfd0de57b96ebadc8 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Kamppi_Center_II.jpg?bossToken=4c455305c63df500b00613a5817dbdd14ab91b788fcde1f5cb5c3bbf475bef4e 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/Kamppi_Center_II.jpg?bossToken=556f3dc383be20bfa671b509d216436a12cd7913148e0a1e325465db9988c6ab 1543w)
Many large centrally located bus terminals - such as Kamppi bus terminal in Helsinki - have a large entrance plaza which can also include local bus service bays.
Kamppi bus terminal II, image by Mahlum
- Prioritize sustainability. Build on other Port Authority initiatives with a focus on sustainable construction and environmentally friendly transportation, climate change and green infrastructure should be centralized in the narrative and planning process.
- Create new identity for the facility. “Port Authority Bus Terminal” should not be the name of the new facility. The terminal should undergo a rebranding process and have a name which increases civic awareness and better reflects the surrounding area and its compelling historical narrative.
A compelling pedestrian link should be created between Grand Central Terminal, Bryant Park and the High Line.
Recommendations for a connected and walkable Midtown
Design the new terminal with multiple entrance and exit points, allowing for connectivity to the Theatre District, Garment District, West Midtown, Hell’s Kitchen and Hudson Yards via Hudson Boulevard, with clear pathways and wayfinding through the terminal. Utilize and expand on the multilevel pedestrian network of the west side by ensuring the connections continue through the complex itself both at grade and upper levels.
![RPA 4 RP Render 01 Commercial Street in the Urban Core Midtown 2 After Unlabeled resized](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/RPA-4RP-Render-01-Commercial-Street-in-the-Urban-Core-Midtown-2-After-Unlabeled_resized.jpg?bossToken=69b02fa94549e04b4aecee03bdaab79b045570913f60d6de566d3f8d129cb147 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/RPA-4RP-Render-01-Commercial-Street-in-the-Urban-Core-Midtown-2-After-Unlabeled_resized.jpg?bossToken=3eb12877c055f9e53c301bb63bc39316cf162dad40b4462dc096736f1cef7896 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/RPA-4RP-Render-01-Commercial-Street-in-the-Urban-Core-Midtown-2-After-Unlabeled_resized.jpg?bossToken=483d736a74a30384ee6480601fd96552e41bb4bf28afb1a4c076d50a66c885be 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/RPA-4RP-Render-01-Commercial-Street-in-the-Urban-Core-Midtown-2-After-Unlabeled_resized.jpg?bossToken=1537ff85b1ae73dfb53fe89cff9e2a1f220d38314b2e2fb2b8fbcea2dcd31e4e 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/RPA-4RP-Render-01-Commercial-Street-in-the-Urban-Core-Midtown-2-After-Unlabeled_resized.jpg?bossToken=c34755ba5dbeb58983e753d6f9798756fcec9edf9250487c7ba486fb858eafd2 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/RPA-4RP-Render-01-Commercial-Street-in-the-Urban-Core-Midtown-2-After-Unlabeled_resized.jpg?bossToken=f24bd596d72e123a5af080b23f19aef88d370a1e1a187c664bca282905ad09a5 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/RPA-4RP-Render-01-Commercial-Street-in-the-Urban-Core-Midtown-2-After-Unlabeled_resized.jpg?bossToken=61cda1da952e633e82d3dc660143d37688915a5de72270b0efe6323efdbf4278 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/RPA-4RP-Render-01-Commercial-Street-in-the-Urban-Core-Midtown-2-After-Unlabeled_resized.jpg?bossToken=d9328e72131ba577f747980863fc57c8cad13ee527fec747631ee8307b7bb65d 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/work/Reports/2021-reports/PABT-Memo/RPA-4RP-Render-01-Commercial-Street-in-the-Urban-Core-Midtown-2-After-Unlabeled_resized.jpg?bossToken=12dc8b43d810cab43c720b0c7452ffcc0cf073e61d1c2454cde31f12db56d41c 1543w)
Related Reports
461