The Park Row Plan
Creating a Welcoming + Safe Gateway Reconnecting Chinatown to the Brooklyn Bridge, the Seaport, FiDi, and Lower Manhattan
With unique access to 19,000+ daily pedestrians on the Brooklyn Bridge, Park Row has untapped capacity to deliver $400M+ in economic output to Chinatown and area neighborhoods
Source: 2022 HR&A Economic Impact Study
What’s the Park Row Plan?
In 2022, the Park Row Alliance, in partnership with Gotham Park, proposed The Park Row Plan to transform Park Row from a dangerous, inaccessible, and dark pathway into a welcoming and safe gateway reconnecting Chinatown to the Brooklyn Bridge, the Seaport, the Financial District, City Hall, and Lower Manhattan — and supporting our community and small businesses.
Right now, the government has allocated only $4M to improve Park Row. More funding is needed to build the Park Row that we deserve!
What’s The Park Row Plan Look Like?
A welcoming path reconnecting Chinatown with the Brooklyn Bridge, the Seaport, FiDi, and downtown
A new iconic public space for everyone to enjoy
Safe and separate pedestrian and bike lanes with new lighting and murals celebrating our diverse culture
A tree-lined street with direct pedestrian and bicycle access to Municipal Plaza and the Brooklyn Bridge Subway Stop (4/5/6/J/Z)
New lighting and signage delivering thousands of people from the Brooklyn Bridge and downtown to Chinatown
“We’ll beautify Park Row, making it easier for New Yorkers and tourists to get from the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge to Chinatown and all the small businesses here.” — Mayor Eric Adams
What’s Happening?
Building on the 2009 NYC DOT Study to transform Park Row (and Kimlau Square), the Park Row Alliance, in partnership with Gotham Park, has been working to achieve a broader vision that rebuilds and transforms the public space on Park Row and in our Chinatown neighborhood — through the Park Row Plan.
In 2022, after months of advocacy, the Park Row Plan was awarded $4M in State funding by Governor Kathy Hochul through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative — with this funding to be managed by New York City.
In February 2024, Mayor Eric Adams announced two projects concerning Park Row—as part of “Chinatown Connections”—beginning with a community engagement period in 2024 and followed by construction work in 2024. These projects are:
DOT Street Improvement Project: In 2024, the City will launch a NYC DOT-led Street Improvement Project (SIP) on Park Row between Frankfort Street and Chatham/Kimlau Square. Per the Mayor’s press release, [i]In consultation with the local community, the city will implement short-term improvements to enhance the pedestrian and bicyclist experience, including safety improvements, art interventions, new planters, and additional wayfinding and signage.”
$4M State DRI Funding: In parallel, the City will also engage with the local community to evaluate options for deploying $4 million of the $11.5 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award for permanent improvements on Park Row. Design and construction will then follow.
Now, in Spring and Summer 2024, the New York City government will be holding public meetings to obtain community feedback about these projects and how to spend the $4M in funding for Park Row.
An economic impact study performed by HR&A (and commissioned by Gotham Park) shows the significant economic benefits to a transformed Park Row, including the opportunity to drive over $400M in economic output to Chinatown and area neighborhoods.
How Can I Help?
Right now, there is only $4M in government funding (from New York State) to transform Park Row.
But $4M is nowhere near enough to build the Park Row that Chinatown deserves. More funding is needed!
Here’s how you can help:
(1) Write to Your Elected Officials
Email your elected officials and let them know you support more funding to transform Park Row into a gateway reconnecting Chinatown to the Brooklyn Bridge, FiDi, and Lower Manhattan. You can find their contact information here.
(2) Join Our Mailing List to Stay Informed
What’s the History of Park Row?
2001
After 9/11, Park Row is closed to the general public. Access to Park Row is restricted to police, emergency vehicles, and the few residents who live on Park Row. No public pedestrians or bicycles can access Park Row.
2009
After 15 years of closure, Park Row is open to public pedestrian and bicycle usage. by the NYC DOT.
2017
The New York City Department of Transportation issues plans proposing the redesign of Kimlau Square and Park Row — including moving Kimlau Square to the west side of the street, expanding pedestrian areas, and creating new connections to the subway. But these plans are never funded and this work never occurs.
2021
Nov. 10, 2021: Governor Hochul announces $20M in funding through the State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) to Chinatown, beginning the solicitation for proposals.
2022
New York State awards $5M in DRI funding to redesign Kimlau Square, as well as $4M in DRI funding to the Park Row Alliance’s proposal to transform Park Row into welcoming, safe, and functional open space that creates an inviting link between Chinatown, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Lower Manhattan.
2024
(Feb 9) New York City announces $44.3M in additional funding — $56M state/city total — for “Chinatown Connections” — a joint city and state investment that will dramatically improve the public space in Chinatown through redesigning Park Row and Chatham/Kimlau Square. None of the $44.3M in City funding, however, is allocated to improve Park Row—the City is only providing a DOT Street Improvement Project (SIP) to improve Park Row.
2024- 25
Community engagement in 2024 + some construction work to commence in 2024, with short-term improvements being installed throughout 2024, per the Mayor’s Office Press Release. At some point, a decision on how to spend the $4M in funds from the New York State DRI grant, with construction to follow.
Who Supports this Project?
Mayor Eric Adams: “We’ll beautify Park Row, making it easier for New Yorkers and tourists to get from the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge to Chinatown and all the small businesses here.”
U.S. Representative Dan Goldman: “[T]o redo Park Row, make it much more inviting and accessible for pedestrians, is going to connect Chinatown with the Brooklyn Bridge. There are tens of thousands of people who walk across the Brooklyn Bridge every day. Now they will have a straight and welcoming pathway into Chinatown, which will be so important for the economy.”