The “Chinatown Connections” project’s design team will hold their first street promotion and flash survey event in Chinatown, Manhattan, at Liu Jin Plaza on April 8th from 3 pm to 5 pm. The event will offer both Chinese and English versions with translators available to assist, allowing the public to provide feedback and share their expectations regarding the plaza renovation and archway design.
Funded jointly by the New York City government and the state of New York with a total of $55.8 million, the “Chinatown Connections” project includes expanding Liu Jin Plaza, constructing a new welcoming arch, and beautifying Park Row. The project was officially announced in February 2024 and is managed by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). Marvel design company was selected last year to oversee the overall design and supervision of Liu Jin Plaza and the welcoming arch.
According to the “Chinatown Connections Project Overview” released on March 29, 2025, one of the three major sub-projects, the Park Row Street Beautification Project between Park Row and Chinatown (between Frankfurt Street and Liu Jin Plaza), has been completed. The focus will now shift to the “conceptual design” phase for Liu Jin Plaza and the archway throughout April, with the design company conducting flash survey activities at locations such as senior centers, parks, and subway stations.
As outlined in the “Welcoming Arch Design Summary,” the design of the archway will involve collaboration between an artist with a background in Chinatown culture, familiar with local history and social context, and the entire design team. The goal is to create a landmark piece that fosters a sense of belonging and cultural pride. The archway, to be placed alongside the Monument to Chinese-American Veterans and the Lin Zexu statue in the redesigned Liu Jin Plaza, will be finalized based on input from the Department of Transportation’s traffic study, the design team, relevant stakeholders’ recommendations, and community feedback.
Mr. Chen Zuozhou, Executive Director of the Chinatown Business Improvement District (Chinatown BID), encourages residents to actively participate in the survey and contribute their valuable suggestions to ensure that the design plans meet Chinatown’s needs. The current Liu Jin Plaza is located at a complex six-way intersection, prone to accidents, with limited space unable to accommodate community gatherings and events. The renovation project aims to expand public space to enhance overall pedestrian safety and convenience, attract more foot traffic, and help revitalize surrounding businesses.
He believes that the upcoming welcoming arch will not only be a landmark and tourist attraction but also a symbol of Chinese culture. “Even Westerners have noticed that among all Chinatowns, Manhattan Chinatown has been lacking such a representative archway.”
The preliminary design stage of the “Chinatown Connections” project will continue to be open for public participation until June this year when it transitions to the “scheme design” phase. The project is set to complete its preliminary and final design by 2026, begin construction in 2027, and overall project completion is scheduled for 2029.