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Design by Grimshaw Billings Jackson with Systra/HNTB, photo courtesy MTA/Rob Wilson..
It's prototypelooza today! First ten possible prototype back racks of the future were revealed, and now the MTA has upstaged the DOT with their own street furniture prototype, installed in front of 151 West Broadway between Worth and Thomas Streets. The second of three multi-purpose prototypes, it's designed to prevent subway flooding while ventilating the subway system AND providing benches to sit on AND a place to lock your bike. Why, just about the only thing this baby won't do is shine your shoes while firing off stock tips. But one note to cyclists locking their bikes to these new racks: Keep a tight grip on your keys!
The idea for the new furniture was born out of that horrible day on August 8th, 2007 when storm water runoff shut down large sections of the subway system. In response, the MTA commissioned these elevated ventilation units to stay above flooding. And anyone out there who's ever gazed longingly at a subway grate, wishing there was a place to sit down and savor the warm, subterranean breezes, will be glad to know that fifteen more of these beauts are planned for downtown (pending community approval). Below, feast your eyes on the prototype that's already charming benchwarmers in Jamaica, Queens.
Design by Rogers Marvel with di Domenico and Partners, photo courtesy MTA.
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They can afford to install these racks but not clean the subways. Something isn't right.
They definitely look cool but my problem with it is if they install this on a busy street, how much it'll interrupt the pedestrian flow. With grates as they are now, at least you can walk on them to get around if someone is blocking the way...
flood proof, assuming a flood would only be 1-5"
man they look expensive. the mta actually doing something positive with it's money? somethings up.
flood proof, assuming a flood would only be 1-5"
Water seeks the lowest point. The top of the grating is 5" above the curb, which is itself at least another 4" above the gutter. That's a minimum of 9" of runoff level before the grating is overrun. Maybe they're not as dumb as you think.
I like it. It's a much better design than all of the entries in the contest.
They definitely look cool but my problem with it is if they install this on a busy street, how much it'll interrupt the pedestrian flow.
The normal solution is a firm "Excuse me!" You can also walk at the curb or in the gutter. There are already lots of obstructions on sidewalks that you can't walk on, from planters to tree pits to bike racks to security barriers.
They can afford to install these racks but not clean the subways. Something isn't right.
I hardly think these things cost $100 million per year, which is what comprehensive cleaning would cost. And they need the elevated gratings anyway to keep the system running. There's no way around that. So adding a little bit of tubing and a couple of benches doesn't add much cost. Quit whining.
Does it get uglier?
It can, unfortunately...
www.forgotten-ny.com
Hmm.. well that's cool I guess. Where in Jamaica is the second photo exactly?
Positive efforts to clean up the city a little bit can never be a bad thing, at least look at it that way!
Peter Griffin: This is just like that time I was walking down West Broadway in New York...
(flashback) Oh, so that's where the Odeon is! (bangs knee on metal bench in the middle of the sidewalk, falls down in pain, grabs knee) Hsss..ahhhhh... hsssss..ahhhhh... hsssss..ahhhhh.. hsssss..ahhhhh.. hsssss..ahhhhh.. hsssss..ahhhhh.. hsssss..ahhhhh.. hsssss..ahhhhh.. hsssss..ahhhhh.. hsssss..ahhhhh.. hsssss..ahhhhh.. hsssss..ahhhhh.. hsssss..ahhhhh.. hsssss..ahhhhh.. hsssss..ahhhhh.. hsssss..ahhhhh.. hsssss..ahhhhh.. (giant chicken starts beating him up)
They're pretty...for now. (check back in a month)
wow! that is the rack design i had thought of and would vote for the contest ... sans grate though.
if you do use this installation, you better be careful with those bike lock keys!!!!
the top one with the bicycle locking spot is more functional than that thing in the second picture.
Hello! this is suppose to be useful not a public art piece.
Also, these things surely had their budget approved before legislators put the boot on congestion pricing that subsequently brought all this budget crisis, cause they were surely counting on the poor man's 8 daily bucks!
Complete coverage in scrawled tags and cheap band stickers in 3... 2...
I REALLY like the bike rack one. They should put these all over.
When it start snowing ... it make a good snow fort ... =)