New York City is moving forward with plans to turn part of a parking lot in Hudson Square into a new public plaza. The city’s Parks Department, DEP, and the Hudson Square Business Improvement District this week unveiled the design for Hudson-Houston Plaza, a new 0.26-acre open space at the intersection of Hudson and Houston Streets that will provide a much-needed public area for the neighborhood while allowing for continued DEP operations below ground. The northern half of the city-owned site will become an affordable housing development, known as 388 Hudson Street.
Designed by Matthews Nielsen Landscape Architects (MNLA), the public space draws inspiration from Eduardo Kobra’s “Ellis” mural, seen on the adjacent City-As-School building.
The plaza will feature trees and lush plantings, flexible and shaded community gathering spaces with seating and umbrellas, and other interactive and sculptural elements that pay homage to the diverse cultures and languages found in the five boroughs.
Custom features of the park include”Daydreamer,” interactive seating elements that incorporate music, movement, and light. The elements slowly rotate and pivot, offering a unique and fun experience.
A tree and umbrella bosque will provide greenery, a key priority for the community, while a fence and trellis along the plaza’s perimeter will further enhance the site with shade and plantings.
The fence will incorporate design elements inspired by the “Ellis” mural, celebrating the city’s diverse cultures by engraving the word “Daydreaming” in NYC’s six most-spoken languages. The font used for the letters will also pay tribute to Hudson Square’s legacy as the city’s former printing district.
“Public spaces should inspire and reflect the communities they serve, and the design for Hudson-Houston Plaza seeks to do just that,” NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said.
“NYC Parks is proud to partner with NYC DEP and the Hudson Square BID, and we look forward to bringing this uniquely creative and dynamic plaza to life—one that will capture the energy, diversity, and artistic spirit of New York City.”
The design process, led by MNLA, included surveys of 450 local residents, students, and workers. In collaboration with NYC Parks and DEP, they also hosted two public community input meetings and a workshop with City-As-School students and faculty.
Over 600 people participated in the process, informing the key elements of the site: flexible spaces, inclusivity, nature-centric, art-centric, and welcoming.
The project builds on the success of other public spaces developed through the Parks and DEP partnership, including Rapkin-Gayle Plaza at 142 Grand Street, Manuel Plaza at 35 East 4th Street, and the upcoming Hansberry Plaza at 705 10th Avenue.
“Hudson-Houston Plaza will be a fantastic addition to our neighborhood’s growing network of public spaces and an anchor for our community,” Samara Karasyk, president and CEO of Hudson Square BID, said. “This project builds on our passion for creating beautiful and accessible spaces that continue to transform the neighborhood from a past dominated by truck and car traffic into a welcoming, pedestrian-friendly destination.”
“Hudson Square must serve the diverse needs of everyone who works, lives, and spends time here, and its outdoor spaces should reflect the creative energy that makes our neighborhood special.”
A new affordable housing development with community amenities is planned for the northern section of the site at 388 Hudson Street. As part of Mayor Eric Adams’ plan to build affordable housing projects on public land, the project is currently in the community visioning phase of the request for proposals process.
Hudson-Houston Plaza is funded by $3.62 million from the Mayor’s Office in partnership with DEP, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, and the Hudson Square Open Space Special Improvements Fund.
The project is set to enter the procurement and bidding phase under the guidance of NYC Parks. An official construction timeline and further details will be announced after the bidding process.
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