Eyes on the Street: 33rd Street Plaza Gone… Til Next Year?

As planned, the pedestrian spaces installed near Penn Station are being removed this week. A painted sidewalk extension and seating were added to 32nd Street for the summer, while 33rd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues was converted to a plaza.

The projects were spearheaded by Vornado Realty Trust, which owns major properties in the area, in coordination with DOT and with an endorsement from Community Board 5. The plan was to gauge interest this summer with an eye toward making the changes permanent.

The spaces were a huge hit, but there were complaints from property owners that the 32nd Street sidewalk extension caused problems with curb access for vehicles.

Though the 32nd Street project may be in trouble, all signs point to the eventual return of Plaza 33. Here’s a Streetfilm to remember it by over the winter:

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Watch New Yorkers Using the 33rd Street Plaza With Streetfilms

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33rd Street at Penn Station Will Go Car-Free This Summer

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Real estate giant Vornado Realty Trust last night unveiled plans to open up space for people on a couple of busy blocks near Penn Station. The proposed car-free zones include a new pedestrian plaza on 33rd Street west of Seventh Avenue. Phase one will consist of a three-month trial this summer and fall, and the changes could be made permanent […]

Eyes on the Street: 33rd Street Plaza Comes to Life

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There is now a plaza at Penn Plaza. The finishing touches were added to a temporary pedestrian space occupying the full breadth of 33rd Street just west of Seventh Avenue earlier this week. The plaza stretches a little less than halfway to Eighth Avenue, replacing what used to be westbound traffic lanes with planters, sculptures, a terraced seating area, and a painted […]

Eyes on the Street: The Return of “Plaza 33” — Maybe for Good

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“Plaza 33” is back, transforming the eastern half of 33rd Street between Seventh Avenue and Eighth Avenue into a car-free public space — and it’s set to remain indefinitely. This is the second iteration of “Plaza 33,” which was installed from July through October last year and is funded and managed by Vornado Realty Trust. Next to Penn Station, […]