A rendering of the redesign of Montefiore Square, which will now extend into what was formerly Hamilton Place on the right. Image Credit: NYC DDC
The project will provide space for community events and green markets. On October 23, 2019, the New York City Department of Design and Construction announced a joint effort to restore and expand Montefiore Square into what is now Hamilton Place between Broadway and West 138th Street in West Harlem, Manhattan.
The project is an initiative aimed at tripling the size and functionality of the square. The renovations will enable the Parks Department to host community festivals, performances and green markets. The improvements will boast a new and large cobblestone pathway, a large lawn surrounded by benches and trees, new plumbing, a drinking fountain, and eight additional streetlights to increase visibility at night.
Improvements to the underground infrastructure were commenced in the fall of 2016. Over 3,000 feet of old water mains were replaced to improve water infrastructure reliability. Two catch basins will be replaced, and seven additional catch basins will be installed to reduce flooding. The infrastructure upgrades are anticipated to be completed at the end of this fall and the entire project is expected to be completed in summer 2020.
Rendering of redesigned Montefiore Square from Broadway. Image Credit: NYC DDC
Assembly Member Inez E. Dickens stated, “A sign of a prosperous community isn’t the number of condos is has, nor the amount of expensive shops. The sign of a prosperous community is the boisterous laughter of children who can run and play without fear or worry. Or where our precious commodities, our seniors, can sit and enjoy stories of what was and what may be. This can only be achieved with the creation of parks and open space, such as what we have at Montefiore Park Plaza.”
Council Member Mark Levine stated, “The award-winning redesign and expansion of Montefiore Square Park is truly going to be transformative to the growing vibrancy of West Harlem. Montefiore Square Park has long served as an important central point for the surrounding communities who use the park but has lacked the investment to keep up with the park’s importance to West Harlem. Today, as we begin this long-standing project, the importance of this unique community-space will be fully recognized, and this neighborhood will finally have a beautiful functional park that can serve as a cornerstone for the community.”
By: Abby Cannon (Abby is the CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2020.)