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Adaptive Re-Use of Public Park Buildings on the Lower East Side

Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) and Hester Street Collaborative (HSC) are partnering to study how neglected and
underutilized buildings in public parks can again become vital resources for the communities of the Lower East Side and
Chinatown. AAFE and HSC will study how these sites can provide sustainable cultural programming while simultaneously
being catalysts to address unemployment, a lack of quality open space and overall community development. The study
will create a proposal for how the adaptive re-use of these buildings can create arts and cultural programming that reflect
the history and diversity of the neighborhood. In addition, it will provide economic generators such as job creation, skillbuilding of young people, opportunities for small businesses, artist residencies and increase park usage.

Problem Statement
Chinatown and the Lower East Side are diverse communities
with large populations of low-income and recent immigrant
residents who often live in cramped and overcrowded
conditions. 26 percent of the population and 35 percent
of families with children are living in poverty. In these
conditions, parks can often serve as living rooms and
centers of community life.
Currently the neighborhood does not have enough viable
recreation and cultural space for youth and low-income
community members. There is a tremendous need for youth
and community development services to foster better health,
support economic growth and leverage the neighborhoods
rich cultural history. Although existing sites are heavily
used, they are not being utilized to their full capacity: Sara
D. Roosevelt Park, Seward Park and the Allen Street
Pedestrian Mall all have unused or unusable park buildings
(park houses) on their sites.
The neighborhoods historic park houses provide a unique
opportunity to create a rich array of programming to
serve community needs. Research has demonstrated the
interrelated nature of cultural vitality, economic growth,
attachment to place, positive health outcomes and civic
engagement. The park housesall initially constructed in
the 1930s as integral resources for the communitycan
again serve as hubs for cultural programming and other
community-driven events, and in doing so, enhance the
vibrancy of whole neighborhoods.

1. SEWARD PARK

2. ALLEN STREET PEDESTRIAN MALLS

Feasibility Study
The feasibility study will explore the potential adaptive reuse of three historic park houses in Manhattan Community
District 3:
1. The unused but usable building in Seward Park
2. The former comfort station on the Allen Street

Pedestrian Mall at Delancey Street that is currently
unsafe to enter.
3. The vacant building in Sara D. Roosevelt Park at
Stanton Street

3. SARA D. ROOSEVELT PARK

AAFE and HSC with the help of other community partners and city agencies have been able
Adaptive
Reuse
Study
to secure almost $2MParks
in capital funding.
While this
is a large Planning
sum, it will not cover
all the
costs of rehabilitatingExisting
these buildings
into
usual
public
space.
A
feasibility
study
will
helpPlanning
us to
Parks Adaptive Reuse
Study
Conditions
discover what uses are possible and clarify the need for additional
funding.
Existing Conditions
To develop our offerings,
HSC and
AAFE
will first conduct
an extensive
research process to
Prepared
by Asian
Americans
for Equality,
Inc.
Prepared by Asian Americans for Equality, Inc.
understand where gaps
in
local
services
and
programming
for
youth
exist
and where existing
October, 2011
October, 2011
services already sufficiently meet community needs. In addition, we will conduct a survey of
Feet
Feet specifically.
local youth to better understand their needs and interests
0 125 250
500
750
1,000
0
125
250
500
750
1,000
HSC and AAFE will reach out to and engage key service providers to help determine
community needs and will explore the possibility of
developing strategic partnerships with service providers to
offer the highest quality programming possible.

Stanton Street Building

at SDR Park

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Seward Park

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Building
HSC and AAFE will work closely with the New York City
Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to develop the
parameters of the adaptive reuse study. We will also partner GRAN
SEWARD
DS
T
PARK
with DPR to research and pilot the adaptive re-use of vacant
park houses, and develop proposals for small, low-cost park
buildings at sites without existing park houses. The study will
explore models for funding sustainable programming
HES and operations at these sites, and HSC and AAFE will continue to
TER
ST
work with DPR to advocate for the necessary capital funds
to renovate these buildings for future use.
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Comfort Station
on Delancey St.

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Comfort
Station
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on Delancey
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Stanton Street Building

at SDR Park
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The scope of the feasibility study will include: STANTON

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An assessment of community needs
(with a focus on youth)
An assessment of gaps in local services for youth
and low-income residents
RIV
ING and
A survey of key community organizations
TON
ST
service providers
A study of the potential for economic impact
Historic research on the buildings
A study of the potential for green retrofit of park
buildings
Development of 2-3 concept proposals for adaptive
re-use
Detailed study and analysis of various operational
SARA D.
models currently being used in otherROOSEVELT
similar sites
locally and nationally.
PARK
The creation of a business plan to fund
programming, capital improvements and operations

BR
OO
ME
ST
within these three park buildings

EH
OU
STO
N

ST

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STA
NTO
N

Looking Forward
Seward Park
Building
This concept builds upon our organizations track records of youth
and community-led improvement projects. We will
utilize our existing partnerships with other youth service providers in the community to ensure that we are best serving
CAN
the needs of local youth, complementing the existing
AL array of programs for the community in Chinatown and the Lower
ST
East Side. The study and pilot programs will also lay the groundwork for new
collaborations and partnerships among the
SEWARD
neighborhoods dense network of community organizations, extending the PARK
impact of these institutions.
The project is an integrated strategy for community development that utilizes the strengths ofDWall
partners. HSC is a
AY
E BROA
leader in community based design, arts education and sustainable urban planning strategies. For a decade, HSC
has also partnered with AAFE on several projects throughout Chinatown and LES. AAFE is an anchor organization in
the community with a forty-year track record of economic and community development. DPRs Manhattan Borough
Commissioner William Castro has indicated a need for viable community facilities within the parks system and has
demonstrated DPRs commitment to this project. In addition to creating a lasting community resource in the Lower East
Side and Chinatown, key findings from this project will serve as models to inform DPRs work as it creates park hubs
throughout the city that serve as centers of neighborhood activity and social life.