New York State and New York City have jointly allocated approximately $5.6 billion for the “Chinatown Connections” project, as announced by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYC EDC). The agency recently released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on its official website seeking firms to provide architectural and design consultation for the development of Kimlau Square and surrounding transportation infrastructure, as well as the construction of the Chinatown arches.
The RFP deadline for the “Chinatown Connections” project is set for June 17th, as confirmed by Gigi Li, Vice President of Government and Community Relations at EDC, in an interview with The Epoch Times. The selected firms will be tasked with the design and construction of transportation intersections at Kimlau Square and the Chinatown arches.
The project, announced by New York City Mayor Eric Adams on February 9th as a local development initiative, focuses on the expansion and improvement of Kimlau Square, beautification of Park Row, and the construction of the Chinatown arches. The funding for the $5.6 billion project includes $1.15 billion from the State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) and $4.45 billion from the City.
According to Gigi Li, the New York City Department of Transportation has initiated traffic surveys for Kimlau Square and Park Row to assess the feasibility of reopening Park Row to private vehicles. Additionally, the agency has launched a “street improvement” project on Park Row in response to community demands for improved safety.
Last Tuesday, the NYC Department of Transportation presented preliminary plans for street improvements to Manhattan Community Board 3, which include widening sidewalks in collaboration with the NYPD, adding bike lanes, increasing signage, removing fences, colorful street painting, and releasing 43 parking spots previously reserved for government vehicles.
“These initiatives will commence this summer and continue through next year to enhance the safety of Park Row,” Li said, emphasizing close cooperation with the NYPD’s 5th Precinct and headquarters to address parking issues stemming from government vehicles and the lack of private parking spaces in the area.
Following the implementation of the street improvement project this summer, Li stated that the NYC Department of Transportation will monitor its effectiveness and evaluate the potential permanent allocation of freed parking spots.
In addition to the transportation surveys, the “Chinatown Connections” project includes the construction of the Chinatown arches. A meeting presentation from EDC revealed potential sites for the arches near the intersection of St. James Place and Park Row. However, Li clarified that the final site selection is contingent upon the results of the traffic surveys.
The Arch Project Team, comprising organizations like Chinatown BID, CCBA, Think!Chinatown, United Overseas Fujianese Association, attorney Nolan Cheng, and the NYC Chinese American Veterans Association, will play a key role in advancing the arch project. Fundraising efforts for the Chinatown arches are led by Chinatown BID and CCBA, with Wellington Chen and former CCBA Chairman Raymond Tsang at the helm.
Li mentioned that despite Tsang’s retirement, he will continue to represent CCBA in fundraising efforts for the arches in coordination with the new Chairman. Formal fundraising activities will commence once construction and consultation contracts are secured in the fall, and the arch site is finalized as part of the “Chinatown Connections” project.
For more information on the bidding details for “Chinatown Connections,” interested individuals can visit the EDC official website: [https://edc.nyc/architectural-design-related-consulting-services-chinatown-connections-project](https://edc.nyc/architectural-design-related-consulting-services-chinatown-connections-project)