Report on Summer, 2013 “Water Street POPS Upgrades Initiative” is released.

The New York City Planning Department and the New York City Economic Development Corporation have issued “Transforming Water Street’s Privately Owned Public Spaces,” a report that reviews summer 2013 efforts by the City, in collaboration with the Alliance for Downtown New York and Water Street property owners, to invigorate the Water Street public realm through POPS interventions.  The report recommends upgrading of POPS and with selected insertions of retail space in POPS, all of which will require zoning changes.

Battery Conservancy design competition for a movable outdoor park chair announces the winner.

The winner of the two-year-long competition to design a signature chair for the Battery and other New York City parks is Fleurt, a chair designed by Andrew Jones Design.  Jones’ winning entry competed with 678 entries from 15 countries.  The competition limited itself to entrants from the Americas.  The selected winner scored a double victory.  A five member jury and a popular vote agreed on the outcome.  Judging criteria for the competition included “fabulous design,” stackability, and the ability to withstand winds from the adjacent harbor.  Read more here.

New public space opens in midtown Manhattan, thanks to the MTA.

As part of its massive East Side Access Project bringing Long Island Railroad service to Grand Central Terminal, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has just opened a 2,400 square foot public space at 48 East 50th Street, on the south side between Madison and Park Avenues.   While technically not a POPS, you wouldn’t know it from its looks.  Read more here.