Pike-Allen Mall rebuilding is expected to continue into 2012

The city Department of Parks and Recreation has launched the reconstruction of several downtown public spaces. The most substantial will replace the cracked pavement of the Pike and Allen Street Malls with new recycled-glass pavers, and expand the malls’ footprint to include the bike lanes on either side of the pedestrian areas.

Click here to view the Parks Department presentation.

Work began on Pike Street between South and Madison Streets last month, and may extend one block further to Henry Street (pending additional funding). That portion will wrap up in November 2011. A second section of work will also rebuild the Allen Street malls between Grand and Delancey Streets, from approximately June 2011 through February 2012.

A pilot area built between Delancey and Broome Streets provides a glimpse of the mall makeover. The width of the malls will be doubled to 57 feet under the new plan, incorporating the protected bikes lanes inside the footprint, which will be lined with new light poles. Pavers made of recycled glass-aggregate pavers will replace the damaged concrete, and new benches, tables, and other outdoor furnishings will complement improved landscaping and plantings.

Maintenance and Protection of Traffic (MPT) barricades are now in place around the work zones from South to Madison. Regular traffic is being maintained throughout the project, as are the new Select Bus Service priority bus lanes along both Madison and Pike/Allen Streets. Upon completion of the mall work, new left-turn lanes with dedicated traffic signals will be in place at the major crossings, including Grand and Delancey Streets.

The Parks Department also recently started the reconstruction of Montgomery Slip, near Pier 42 on the Lower East Side. It is being transformed into a new, landscaped median that will serve as a new pedestrian mall and shaded walkway by summer 2011.

Rutgers and Catherine Slips also are being rebuilt as new malls. Catherine, the largest of the slip projects, will be connected to the adjacent Tanahey Playground. By fall 2011, Catherine Slip will be surrounded by bollards that enclose new lawns, seating, lighting, and a walkway that leads to the East River Esplanade.

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