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Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

Citizens Union

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Rebuilding NYC - brought to you by Gotham Gazette
Gotham Gazette Gotham Gazette

Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

Citizens Union

You're on an older version of the site, please click here to view the current site

Rebuilding NYC














Memorial Plaza


Click on the image above to see a detailed site plan (PDF format, 1.3 MB)

This concept plan creates an 8-acre plaza west of an extended Greenwich Street, with sites for memorials and buildings for museum/cultural uses. Fulton and Cortlandt streets are extended to Greenwich Street, and Fulton becomes a pedestrian path through the open space to connect to the World Financial Center. West Street express traffic is submerged in a tunnel, and local traffic is carried on a reduced surface boulevard, to allow the open space and memorial or cultural facilities to expand to the west. A tall, freestanding mixed-use tower is located on the northwest corner of the site, which could have an antenna or sculptural top that marks the skyline. This tower would terminate a promenade linking the site to Battery Park, and via ferry, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Principal Features of this Concept Plan:

  • 8-acre plaza with a memorial/cultural building on the western edge
  • 13.1 total acres of new public space, including parks, streets, and sidewalks
  • Greenwich Street extended through site, Fulton and Cortlandt Streets extended partially through site
  • 100 feet of West Street reclaimed at grade for open space and museum facility
  • West Street tunnel from Battery Park to Vesey Street (local surface traffic)
  • 5 towers (1 at 79 stories, 2 at 67 stories, and 2 at 62 stories)
  • Potential residential development south of Liberty Street
  • Promenade to Battery Park, and via ferry, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty