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Planning

Midtown Study “The Flip”

by Charles Lauster Architect, P.C. on August 26, 2013

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Midtown Study "The Flip" New York City 2006

The State of New York proposed expanding the existing convention center north, blocking a total of seven blocks of Hudson riverfront.

CLA, working with the Steven L. Newman Real Estate Institute at Baruch College and Robert Geddes, proposed building a much larger convention center east west over the open railroad yards of Penn Station from Ninth Ave. to Twelfth Ave. “Flipping” the convention center would open up Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood to the Hudson.

A structural “Landbridge” would lift the convention center over the rebuilt street grid of retail and entertainment uses. The rail yard would continue to function below this street level deck. One of the city’s largest parks would sit atop the Landbridge. Additional commercial and residential buildings could also be built at the park level. A monorail would connect the Seventh Avenue subways at Penn Station to the entire complex.

Once this new complex is complete, the old convention center could be torn down and the land devoted to residential development. Over 14,000 units could be built, 4,000 of them affordable housing. Evelyn Kalka assisted on this study.

Midtown Study "The Flip" New York City 2006
The State of New York proposed expanding the existing convention center north, blocking a total of seven blocks of Hudson riverfront.

Willets Point

by Charles Lauster Architect, P.C. on August 20, 2013

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Willets Point
Queens, NY 2005

Willets Point is bordered by Flushing Bay, Flushing Creek and MTA rail yards. Within this area there is a #7 subway station, Mets Stadium, a parking lot and a cluster of auto parts shops on unpaved streets. This void is at the center of the densest population in Queens and next to the fourth largest central business district in New York City, Flushing.

The Queens Chamber of Commerce asked the Steven L. Newman Real Estate Institute, with which CLA collaborates, to devise a master plan for development. The Newman/CLA team proposed extending Flushing Meadow Park north and over the rail yards to form the base for a regional shopping complex with a small exposition center and hotel. Several levels of commercial space could be built over the retail spine. Parking would be built on decks below the retail. This spine would run across Willets Point from Flushing to the Corona end where a new Mets stadium would be built. Evelyn Kalka assisted on this study.