Fulton Street Phase 3 is underway

The major undertaking to replace and repair Fulton Street and its infrastructure began in July 2007. Now, three years later, most of the 150-year-old water main has been replaced, along with many other vital utilities that will ensure constant service for downtown businesses and residents. In addition, pedestrians are enjoying the sidewalks new ramps, curbs, and smooth pavement. And in place of the well-worn roadway that was once home to potholes and cracks, drivers now have a rebuilt roadway recently or soon to be paved with a new asphalt wearing course.

Capital reconstruction of this major downtown arterial has been a three-phased process that falls under the city’s Fulton Street Corridor Revitalization Program. Its goal, as described in the city’s project materials, has been “to create a vibrant, accessible and dynamic east-west corridor connecting the World Trade Center (WTC) site and the East River.”

The first phase was completed in 2009, and focused on the water- and sewer-main work stretching from Church to Gold Street. Phase 2 included Gold Street itself and the utility work that overlapped with the Parks Department projects at DeLury Square, Titanic Park, and Pearl Street Playground. Running through spring 2012, Phase 2 includes rebuilding Fulton as far east as South Street, as well as Nassau Street from Fulton to Spruce.

150 Market before the store front work

The final portion of the corridor’s reconstruction falls under Phase 3, which completes the full reconstruction and water-main replacement on Nassau from Fulton southward to Maiden Lane. But the bulk of Phase 3 will replace curbs and sidewalks on Fulton and several ancillary streets including William, Gold, John, and Pearl. Crews also will install more cosmetic elements, such as new landscaping, lighting, traffic signs, and street furniture like bollards and bike racks.

150 Market is the first business to utilize the program

DDC crews have been able to carry out the complexities of mass excavation, major infrastructure replacement, and road restoration with the help of multiple agencies, such as the Department of Transportation. And because work on Fulton Street affects the Parks Department’s projects as well as multiple areas of the MTA’s Fulton Street Transit Center, the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center also has played a central role in coordinating overlapping utility work, transportation access, and community outreach.

Another city agency, the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), recently launched its own “Fulton Nassau Crossroads” program as well. As described by the agency’s website, Crossroads “is a voluntary storefront- and façade-improvement program available to eligible building and business owners along Fulton Street between Broadway and Water Street, and Nassau Street between Spruce Street and Maiden Lane.” The public/private partnership program provides participants with free design, engineering and construction management services, with up to $275,000 in construction assistance for the average building. (Click here for more information or for an application or call (212) FULTON1.)

The Crossroads effort is already underway at the first property, the grocery store 150 Market located at 81-99 Fulton, between William and Gold Street. More are headed to the corridor in the coming weeks, including Calderon Locksmith at 46-50 Fulton, and to the recently converted  127 Fulton landmarked building.

As rebuilding continues, the rebuilt and beautified Fulton Street serves as a key link between east and west Lower Manhattan. The busy corridor will touch more projects than any other downtown -- among them are the East River Esplanade, multiple parks and private developments, the Fulton Transit Center, the WTC Transportation Hub, 1 WTC, and the BPC Ferry Terminal. A true river-to-river artery, Fulton Street is an icon of a diverse, 24/7 downtown neighborhood.

Related Links