10 Recommendations for the New Port Authority Bus Terminal

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.