Comments Archive

Our website is a digital space for collaboration about physical space. We invite you to participate  in the creation of knowledge designed to secure greater public use of New York City’s 525 or so POPS, those zoning-created plazas, arcades, and other outdoor and indoor privately owned public spaces. Here is an archive of comments from visitors like you.

Philip Miatkowski on 835 Sixth Avenue:
839 6th Ave is a throughway privately owned public space in Midtown Manhattan between W 29th and W 30th Street just west of 6th Avenue. The space was moderately busy for a Tuesday late afternoon, with 26/48 single-seats occupied with a good mix of groups and singles. Those using the space were guests from the next-door hotel, Midtown businesspeople, shoppers, tourists, and people walking through, and others. The POPS has a water feature that is well maintained and clean with an acceptable amount of fallen Fall foliage in the water. Trees are well taken care of with only one dead out of X. The POPS is clean and litter free. There are different types of seating available including, benches, moveable chairs, immoveable chairs, and granite “blocks.” Required amenities wise, the POPS surpasses the minimum requirement of litter receptacles and chairs with backs. It also surpasses the tree requirements. But it does only have 16 tables as opposed to the 43 that says is required on this website. Also, unclear if the 2 entry plaques need to be at both entries, but the plaques are only at one entry to the throughway.
Marissa Lazar on 420 Fifth Avenue:
The plaza at 420 Fifth Avenue sits on the north side of 37th street and sits off the sidewalk seamlessly, widening the space people can use to move through the street as the constructed benches and seats sit back from the sidewalk. It is also an open space as no gate is tucked away during the day. It is quite spacious and open as it also serves as the entryway into the main building there which is the main focal point of the space. The public space around the entrance consists of seating built into the step structures with trees and lights outlining the main path. There are two main light posts that sit at the top of the stairs as almost a gateway to the building. It seems very well cared for as it is clean and well-landscaped. The space itself consists of numerous trees, potted plants, and a plotted garden with trees and flowers on the west side of the space. The space is handicap accessible as there are multiple ways to get through the space and to the door besides the main steps. On the east side of the park, the ground is built on an incline so one can reach the top without needing to climb the stairs. The permanent structures allow for seating along the corners, edges, and the middle of the space. There are specific spots where the steps themselves are smaller to stop people from sitting on the main pathway but there are plenty of spaces around that can be used for seating in different ways. Most spots in the inner section of the space are benches that do not have a back so numerous people can sit on other side. In one section there are two heights of benches allowing for one to lean back or to sit on top like a step. There are permanent potted plants that are built into the corners of these structures, beautifying the space. The space also includes bike racks on the outskirts and corners of the space along the walls of the east side, out of the way from where most pedestrians would be. There are two signs hung on the park, one indicated it is open to the public and one providing more details, both stating it is accessible to the physically handicapped. It explains that the space is owned and maintained by 420 5th Avenue Condominium. They also state what the park is required to have and what they provide, however, the sign states that there are 24 moveable chairs provided yet there is no seating besides the permanent structures embedded in the space.
Sarah Aita on 774 Sixth Avenue:
A photo of the plaza at noon: https://www.instagram.com/p/BZobOq2FrD9/?taken-by=sarah.aita
Sarah Aita on 774 Sixth Avenue:
Located between west 26th and west 27th streets, this privately owned public space is always occupied. It could be accessed from both streets through a 3 meter wide gate situated in the middle of a metal fence. A scaffold is currently placed at the 26th street entrance, blocking the visual connection between both sides of the plaza. There are various types of fixed seating in this plaza such as linear stand-alone benches, benches connected to large tables, and two chairs connected to a small table in the middle. Such variations create appropriate seating areas for both singles and groups which makes this plaza a favorable place for many nearby employees to have lunch. Furthermore, the plaza is accessible for the physically disabled as a ramp connects the different levels of the plaza. Natural elements such as shrubs, trees, rocks, and pebbles contrast the surrounding built context, as well as the other soft scape elements in the plaza. Shrubs behind benches offer a sense of privacy to users who took on comfortable postures. Taller trees, as well as lighting posts, were aligned to visually separate pathways from seating areas. A limited number of rocks are scattered between the bench areas. Although their sizes are suitable to sit on, they are seldom used.
Gloria on 26 Astor Place:
26 Astor Place midday in September
Luis Hernandez on 5 East 22nd Street:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/livO4o8a-Rg This video was taken at 6:50pm (just before the back section of the POPS closes) so you will notice the gate is beginning to close. However during the day it is wide open and makes for open flow in and out of the space.
Andrew Mitchell on 825 Eighth Avenue:
825 Eighth Avenue utilizes many movable furnishings, and provides seating areas for two restaurants that are located in the center of the north and south sides of the POPS. My primary suggestion would be delineating the areas which are designated for restaurant seating from the regular publicly accessible seating. Additionally, because there is a Starbucks located adjacent to the POPS, many users purchase a drink from Starbucks but there are few recycling cans in which they can dispose of their drink after consumption. Other than that, I think the movable furnishings are great and would suggest purchasing even more as I frequently see couples or groups of people having to sit on the more linear concrete seating, which makes it hard for a group of people to engage one another.
Andrew Mitchell on 825 Eighth Avenue:
825 Eighth Avenue provides a relaxing environment not far from what may be one of the more hectic places in Manhattan (being Times Square). Due to its size, this POPS is able to serve both the residents of the surrounding Clinton neighborhood and employees working in the area. The movable furnishings (tables and chairs) allow those who utilize the space to turn a public area into a more private feeling. Aside from the seating and tables, 825 Eighth Avenue provides a useful cut through between 49th and 50th Street and greatly improves the walkablity of the area. With two restaurants located within the space, users can also enjoy a meal while relaxing outdoors without the noise from cars and buses driving by, all adding to a rather pleasurable experience.
Blake Smith on 246 Spring Street:
245 Spring Street was recovering from the lunch rush when I arrived. Four people where sitting at the tables and chairs, eating lunch, smoking, and talking on the phone. The sign designating its status as a POP was well advertised with what struck me as a notably large sign. The manager of the property seems invested in it's maintenance, as they where refinishing the seating as I arrived. The space remained open despite this upkeep though. Direct light is limited, understandable seeing as it sits between two relatively, compared to the rest of the neighborhood, large buildings. Regardless, it seems like a well maintained and utilized, if sparse, place.
Blake Smith on 246 Spring Street:
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