Fulton Street utilities, streetscape, and open spaces work to begin

It's one of Lower Manhattan busiest streets, and its traffic will only continue to grow as major rebuilding projects take shape on and around it. That's why the city is beginning a full capital reconstruction of Fulton Street this July, including improved utilities, streetscape elements, and open spaces.

The project's first phase begins underground with utility upgrades along the "priority commercial corridor" from Church to Gold Street. On July 23^rd, 2007, Judlau Contracting will excavate the roadway to replace Fulton Street's 150-year-old water main. New catch basins and sewer connections will help the street drain properly. Other utilities like electric, gas, and fiber-optic lines will be upgraded and replaced and old ducts removed, improving capacity for decades to come.

The city plans to expedite the curb-to-curb utility work by allowing crews to work double shifts, six days a week (weekdays 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.). Beginning in August 2007, Fulton Street will be closed to through traffic but remain accessible for deliveries, emergency vehicles, and pedestrians. Late-night water shutoffs will be necessary at times, and always preceded by community notification.

Through 2009, city crews will finish phase one with streetscape improvements such as new sidewalks, granite curbs, lighting, and street "furniture." City planners also may work with Fulton Street building owners to create more unified storefronts and façades on the corridor.

The second phase of work, tentatively planned to start in 2010, would extend the reconstruction east of Gold and onto Nassau (from Fulton to Spruce Street). New streetscape work will also take place on ancillary streets, including Nassau (from Fulton to Maiden Lane), William, Gold, Cliff, Pearl, and John.

Open spaces, too, will likely be revamped as part of the second phase. One proposal is to bring new trees and seating to the traffic triangle known as DeLury Square Park, located at Fulton and Gold Streets. The project also could improve the streetscape outside the Southbridge Towers on Fulton Street, between Gold and Pearl Streets.

Open spaces, including DuLury Square, will likely be revamped

Several city agencies, including the departments of City Planning, Design and Construction, and Transportation, are collaborating to get the Fulton Street project underway. The Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center is helping coordinate the work with private utility companies, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and others, as well as sharing information with Community Board 1, Alliance for Downtown New York, elected officials, area residents, and other stakeholders.

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