Neighborhoods Now
Dear friend,
for small businesses on how to apply for relief loans. They drafted legal templates for short-term leases to occupy vacant storefronts. They collaborated with senior staff at City agencies to help neighborhoods access programs like Open Streets and Open Restaurants.
As the pandemic took root in our city in March, its uneven impact on the lives of New Yorkers quickly became painfully clear. While our city’s well-resourced communities and businesses benefit from the ability to purchase expertise, the neighborhoods where many of our essential workers live do The work is far from over. Many of these firms are committed not have the same access and resources. to continuing these partnerships in service of long-term efforts to address systemic inequities and greater community In response, the Urban Design Forum and Van Alen Institute ambitions. The need for this work is profound, and we hope tapped into our collective network of architects, designers, this effort inspires the design community to come together in and engineers. In a matter of weeks, more than 65 firms continued service of New York’s neighborhoods. Ultimately, mobilized to support the recovery of four neighborhoods the long term value of this approach will be the alliances hit particularly hard by the pandemic: Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn; forged across demographic and professional boundaries. Jackson Heights, Queens; Kingsbridge, Bronx; and Washington Heights, Manhattan. To date, these firms — We are humbled by this outstanding display of teamwork, including architects, planners, engineers, graphic designers, creative problem solving, and immense generosity. We and attorneys — have contributed thousands of hours of pro thank the 200+ community experts and practitioners who bono expertise to support fellow New Yorkers. have given their time and passion, and we look forward to continuing the work. In partnership with community leaders, they piloted open-air extensions for restaurants, created neighborhood signage With gratitude, with COVID-19 health protocols, and developed proposals for relocating community events and educational programs Deborah Marton into open space. Executive Director, Van Alen Institute Our partner neighborhoods’ needs also went far deeper than design, so our working groups expanded their support beyond physical interventions. They organized a seminar
Daniel McPhee Executive Director, Urban Design Forum
Neighborhoods Now
The use of the information contained in this document is at the sole risk of the user, and the Van Alen Institute and the Urban Design Forum shall not be responsible for, or liable in any way for, the accuracy, completeness or any other matter with respect to the contents herein. The user hereby assumes all risks of the use of the information, and irrevocably and unconditionally waives, releases and discharges the Van Alen Institute and the Urban Design Forum and its direct and indirect members, directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates, volunteers and representatives, from any and all liability of any kind or nature whatsoever, in connection with the matters contained herein, and the use of the information contained herein.
COVER IMAGE SPACE
COVER IMAGE SPACE
NEIGHBORHOOD NOW: UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING PROGRAM 2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd. University Neighborhood Housing Program
NEIGHBORHOODS NOW Neighborhoods Now is a collaboration between the Urban Design Forum and Van Alen Institute. The project connects four neighborhoods hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic with more than 20 design firms to form neighborhood-specific working groups. In Bed-Stuy, Jackson Heights, Kingsbridge, and Washington Heights, these working groups will collaborate through August 2020 to develop safe and effective reopening strategies.
For a list of all the community and design partners involved, click here: https://www.vanalen.org/projects/neighborhoods-now/#workinggroups
COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNER Dattner Architects and MBB teamed with University Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP) to design a strategy to meet their short-term goals for the Neighborhoods Now Initiative. The mission of University Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP) is to create, preserve, and improve affordable housing and bring needed resources to the Northwest Bronx. UNHP achieves its mission by issuing low interest loans from our three loan funds, providing technical assistance to community leaders, neighborhood groups and affordable housing managers, by organizing around and researching the issues that impact housing affordability and attracting resources to the community through the Northwest Bronx Resource Center. The majority of our work benefits the Bronx and the northwest Bronx, in particular. Our work to identify and improve distressed multifamily housing has a NYC-wide impact. The UNHP Northwest Bronx Resource Center serves our community with resources for financial education, foreclosure prevention, free tax preparation, access to benefits and health insurance, and eviction prevention assistance.
University Neighborhood Housing Program
NEEDS UNHP provides oversight to 18 Affordable Housing Projects throughout the Bronx which include roughly 1,300 residential units, 16 commercial stores, and 4 Community Facilities. Of those 18 Affordable Housing Projects, two are senior housing projects which have large open community spaces that have been closed to residents since mid-march. In addition to our involvement in Affordable Housing, UNHP also provides direct, financial counseling and housing resources to roughly 3,000 Bronx residents every year. This face to face client work has been also been suspended since mid-March with no current plan to resume to date. UNHP has a number of goals in mind as we pursue a partnership with Urban Design Forum up to and including: Short-term Goals - Update UNHP’s main office located at 2751 Grand Concourse so that core employees can safely return to work. - Update the community rooms at (1) of our senior housing facilities so that tenants might be able to safely leave their apartments for some period of time. Long-Term Goals - Connecting Commercial Tenants and Community Facility Tenants to re-opening design resources so that they are able to safely open up or continue to operate within the recommended guidelines. - Update the community rooms at (1) of our senior housing facilities so that tenants might be able to safely leave their apartments for some period of time. - Feasibility of updating one of our vacant community facilities so that we can safely resume face to face financial counseling.
OUTCOMES The UNHP team focused on the two short-term goals expressed by UNHP for the Neighborhoods Now initiative, utilizing a phased approach and a menu of implementation strategies to safely open their main office and create a space in the senior housing facility to encourage tenants to leave their apartments.
University Neighborhood Housing Program
IMPLEMENTATION The UNHP team proposed a phased approach at UNHP’s main office located at 2751 Grand Concourse so that core employees can safely return to work, outlined in the following pages, that will allow the UNHP to open their offices at little to no cost. Each phase implements a menu that UNHP can choose from based on the availability of resources, from simply re-arranging existing furniture, painting, adding plexi-glass partitions, and utililizing air purifiers. The senior housing community room was deemed not safe to occupy at this time. After touring the site, the UNHP team decided that implementation of an exterior modular plant/bench structural system within their exterior space would benefit the seniors the most. The existing planter beds currently on site are in high demand and that with minimal cost and volunteer help the team could implement more planters and seating. Since the design is modular, UNHP can install one or several to help encourage the tenants to spend time outside and contribute to a community garden. These than could be turned into green houses for year round use by the residents, that also provide shelter. The implmentation of the planters would require donated materials and volunteer time for assembly on site. The UNHP team can also incorporate these into other projects across other sites.
CITY POLICY Focus policy and funding on supporting medium and long term strategies. What we heard is that at this point, as we enter the sixth month of the COVID pandemic, most of the businesses and organizations in this neighborhood of the Bronx, had already implemented short term strategies as they were able and on an as needed basis. Policy and funding must focus on solutions that support communities through the next 12 to 18 months and act as long term assets to the community. In our work, this translated into planning for how temporary structures might be enclosed and reused as pandemic conditions change. Importantly, it also meant focusing on how volunteer effort available during this unprecedented moment could be put to work both to implement short term safety efforts but also long term physical improvements to the physical space.
CHALLENGES Aside from funding, which is always a challenge, our top challenges were timing and the range of services UNHP typically provides. To fully address the spatial requirements for all programs UNHP previously provided would require ongoing and extended engagement. Most importantly, this would include working on their long term goal of restoring face-to-face financial literacy and tax preparation programs. It is possible to imagine the canopy structure our team designed as safely housing this on certain sites and in certain seasons with further planning, development and input from UNHP.
University Neighborhood Housing Program
MAP OF UNHP SITES
Map of Sites
2751 Grand Concourse
2828 Decatur Avenue 70 Unit Senior Housing Project - Community Room
(4) SUBWAY
B and D SUBWAY
2855 Southern Blvd
2042 Grand Avenue
120 Unit Senior Housing Project - Community Room
5 Commercial stores: -Travel Agent -Beauty Salon -Pharmacy -Phone Store
824 East 181st Street 4 Commercial stores: -Barber Shop -Beauty Salon
69-73 West Tremont Avenue
-Convenience Store -Vacant Space
45-67 West Tremont Avenue
-one vacant space
263 East Tremont Avenue
1911 Anthony Avenue
2104 Crotona Pkwy
2 Commercial stores: -Pharmacy -Phone Store
4 Commercial stores: -Tax/Multiservice -Beauty Salon -Check Cashing -Convenience Store
1 Commercial store: -Fast Food Restaurant
University Neighborhood Housing Program
SITES STUDIED FOR IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION Map of Sites
2751 Grand Concourse
2828 Decatur Avenue 70 Unit Senior Housing Project - Community Room
(4) SUBWAY
B and D SUBWAY
2855 Southern Blvd
2042 Grand Avenue
120 Unit Senior Housing Project - Community Room
5 Commercial stores: -Travel Agent -Beauty Salon -Pharmacy -Phone Store
824 East 181st Street 4 Commercial stores: -Barber Shop -Beauty Salon
69-73 West Tremont Avenue
-Convenience Store -Vacant Space
45-67 West Tremont Avenue
-one vacant space
263 East Tremont Avenue
1911 Anthony Avenue
2104 Crotona Pkwy
2 Commercial stores: -Pharmacy -Phone Store
4 Commercial stores: -Tax/Multiservice -Beauty Salon -Check Cashing -Convenience Store
1 Commercial store: -Fast Food Restaurant
University Neighborhood Housing Program
UNHP OFFICE - 2751 GRAND CONCOURSE Office Intervention
University Neighborhood Housing Program
EXISTING OFFICE SPACE PHOTOS
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
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PLAN OF EXISTING OFFICE SPACE 30' - 0" 12' - 6"
17' - 0"
10' - 0"
OFFICE 2
OFFICE 3
5' - 0"
23' - 6" 13' - 0"
7' - 6"
OFFICE 1 REF.
27' - 0" 41' - 0"
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
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AXON OF EXISTING OFFICE SPACE Office 1: - Seats one person Office 3: - Typically seats 2 people though there are work stations set up for 4
Office 2: - Seats 3 people
Bathroom: - Single occupancy
Open Space: - Space is a mix of programming: kitchen, printing, gathering, storage, and personal work spaces - There are 4 workstations though 2 are usually occupied when it’s not tax season LEGEND Common Space Personal Space
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
UDF Concourse Neighborhoods Now \\ UNHP 2751 Grand \\ 2855 Southern BlvdOffices \\ DattnerArchitects
Existing Layout - (3D)
08/18/20
SK-004.1 2
PLAN OF PROPOSED OFFICE SPACE RECONFIGURATION PHASE 1
UNHP STATED GOAL OF 8 WORKSTATIONS
During Phase 1, workstations are rearranged so that 6’ distance can be maintained between evernyone. The open area of the office will be divided into personal workspaces and a common use area. These are immediate actions that can be implemented at minimal costs to accommodate typical office operations.
8 WORKSTATIONS PROVIDED IN THIS SCHEME
+
COVID CHECK-IN AREA (SIGN-IN, WIPES, SANITIZER) 6' - 0" DIAMETER SOCIAL DISTANCE ZONE (PERSONAL)
OFFICE 2
6' - 0" RADIUS SOCIAL DISTANCE ZONE (COMMON USE) 2' - 0"
OFFICE 3
REMOVE EXISTING DOORS FROM HINGES
2 PERSON WORK STATION BECOMES ONE AND MOVE ACROSS ROOM
SIGNAGE
+ OFFICE 1 REF.
RELOCATE WORKSTATION FROM OFFICE 2 (4) 8.5" x 11" SIGNS ON CABINET FACES
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
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AXON OF PROPOSED OFFICE SPACE RECONFIGURATION PHASE 1
COVID Check-In Station - Sign-in - Wipes - Sanitizer - 1 person at a time in this zone
Office 3: - Seats 3 people - 6’ social distancing - Open windows for ventilation - Local air purification system
Signage
Signage
Public Zone: - Amenities used by all (printer/copier) - Sink as a handwashing station - 1 person at a time in this zone - 6’ social distancing - Open windows for ventilation
Office 2: - Seats 2 people - 6’ social distancing - Open windows for ventilation - Local air purification system
Office Zone: - Seats 3 people - 6’ social distancing - Open windows for ventilation - Local air purification system
LEGEND Entry Area Common Space Personal Space Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand \\ 2855 Southern BlvdOffices \\ DattnerArchitects UDFConcourse Neighborhoods Now \\ UNHP
Proposed Layout - 2 (3D)
08/18/20
SK-003.1
4
PLAN OF PROPOSED OFFICE SPACE RECONFIGURATION PHASE 2
UNHP STATED GOAL OF 8 WORKSTATIONS
During Phase 2, the introduction of plexiglass partitions and use of face masks throughout the day allows for the social distance requirements to be reduced to 3’. This will allow for the office to accommodate up to 12 workstations in order to accomodate for the seasonal increase of employees within the office. Common use items are further consolidated so that there will be minimal overlapping in air space.
12 WORKSTATIONS PROVIDED IN THIS SCHEME
+
COVID CHECK-IN AREA (SIGN-IN, WIPES, SANITIZER) 3' - 0" DIAMETER SOCIAL DISTANCE ZONE (PERSONAL)
OFFICE 2
6' - 0" RADIUS SOCIAL DISTANCE ZONE (COMMON USE)
PLEXIGLASS PARTITIONS AT EACH WORK STATION AND FACE MASKS ALLOW FOR 6' DISTANCE TO BE BROUGHT DOWN TO 3'
OFFICE 3 2' - 6"
MOVE DESK BACK TO OFFICE 2
SIGNAGE
+
3' - 0"
OFFICE 1 REF.
UTILIZE EXISTING TABLE AS DIVIDED WORKSPACE
(4) 8.5" x 11" SIGNS ON CABINET FACES
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
UDF Neighborhoods Now \\ UNHP Offices \\ DattnerArchitects
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AXON OF PROPOSED OFFICE SPACE RECONFIGURATION PHASE 2
COVID Check-In Station - Sign-in - Wipes - Sanitizer - 1 person at a time in this zone
Office 3: - Seats 3 people - 3’ social distancing - Open windows for ventilation - Local air purification - Acrylic dividers between everyone - Face mask needs to be on at all times
Signage
Signage
Public Zone: - Amenities used by all (printer/copier) - Sink as a handwashing station - 1 person in this zone at a time - 6’ social distancing - Open windows for ventilation
Office 2: - Seats 3 people - 3’ social distancing - Open windows for ventilation - Local air purification - Acrylic dividers between everyone - Face mask needs to be on at all times
Office Zone: - Seats 6 people - 3’ social distancing - Acrylic dividers between everyone - Face mask needs to be on at all times - Open windows for ventilation - Local air purification system - Storage at end of work station creates a “corridor” and barrier
LEGEND Entry Area Common Space Personal Space Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand \\ 2855 Southern Blvd Offices \\ DattnerArchitects UDFConcourse Neighborhoods Now \\ UNHP
Proposed Layout - 3 (3D)
08/18/20
SK-004.1
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SIGNAGE DIAGRAM PLEASE GO TO HEALTH CHECK IN DESK FIRST
UDF Neighborhoods Now \\ UNHP Offices \\ DattnerArchitects
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
Proposed Layout - 2 (3D)
08/18/20
SK-003.1 7
ROOM PAINT COLOR OPTION 1
Sleek White
UDF Neighborhoods Now \\ UNHP Offices \\ DattnerArchitects
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
Proposed Layout - 2 (3D)
Superior Blue
08/18/20
Tahitian Sky
SK-003.1 8
ROOM PAINT COLOR OPTION 2
Spirited Yellow
UDF Neighborhoods Now \\ UNHP Offices \\ DattnerArchitects
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
Proposed Layout - 2 (3D)
Superior Blue
08/18/20
Tahitian Sky
SK-003.1 9
ROOM PAINT COLOR OPTION 3
Melon Sorbet
UDF Neighborhoods Now \\ UNHP Offices \\ DattnerArchitects
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
Proposed Layout - 2 (3D)
Reviving Green
08/18/20
Aztec Blue
SK-003.1 10
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Phase 2
Phase 1
UNHP OFFICE IMPROVEMENT PURCHASE BREAKDOWN Item
Reference Product
Unit Cost
Quantity
Total
Paint Primer
Behr White Acrylic Interior Drywall Plus Primer and Sealer
$16 / gal
5 Gallons
$80
Paint Finish
Behr Eggshell Enamel Interior Paint
$32 / gal
5 Gallons
$160
Misc. Paint Supplies
Tray, Tape, Brushes, Rollers, Tarp
$60
Allowance
$60
Signage
Neighborhoods Now COVID 19 Cautionary Signage
$100
Allowance
$100
Ventilation
Intellipure Compact Air Purifier (500 sf of coverage)
$550
2 Units
$1,100
Plexiglass Partitions
24” x 24” TeamShield Sneeze Guard - Tabletop (safely6ft.com)
$80
8 Units
$640
Plexiglass Partitions
48” x 24” TeamShield Sneeze Guard - Tabletop (safely6ft.com)
$150
4 Units
$600
Plexiglass Partition
Intellipure Compact air purifier
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
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ROSE HILL - 2855 SOUTHERN BOULEVARD Community Center Intervention
University Neighborhood Housing Program
EXISTING COMMUNITY CENTER
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
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EXISTING OUTDOOR SPACE
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
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PRECEDENTS
EXTERIOR COVERING PRECEDENT: HELLO WOOD VILLAGE
EXTERIOR COVERING PRECEDENT: HOU DE SOUSA
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
EXTERIOR COVERING PRECEDENT: HOU DE SOUSA 15
PLANTER/BENCH PRECEDENTS
PLANTER PRECEDENT: OUTDOOR DINING, NYC
PLANTER PRECEDENT: OUTDOOR DINING, NYC
PLANTER PRECEDENT: VEGTRUG RAISED GARDEN PLANTER
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
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PROPOSED SITE PLAN
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
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PLANTER MODULE DIAGRAM 14' - 0" 12' - 2"
SOCIAL DISTANCE CIRCLE SHOWN FOR REFERENCE PLANTER STRUCTURE
BENCH STRUCTURE 6' - 0"
12' - 7"
14' - 7"
6' - 0"
5' - 0"
WOOD LATTICE PARTITION (SHOWN WITH VINES)
OUTLINE OF STRUCTURE ABOVE, TYP. Rose Hill Canopy - Plan 1/4" = 1'-0"
Rose Hill Canopy - 3D Axon
2
Rose Hill Canopy - Planter Detail
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
UDF Neighborhoods Now \\ UNHP Offices \\ DattnerArchitects
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
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2' - 3"
2' - 10"
7' - 0"
7' - 7"
3
Rose Hill Canopy - Section 1/4" = 1'-0"
Rose Hill Canopy
1' - 6"
1
WHITE CORRUGATED PVC ROOF PANELS EXISTING PLANTED AREA EXTENT OF EXISTING PAVING
08/28/20
SK-010 18
PLANTER MODULE RENDERING
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
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PROPOSED RENDERING
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
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PROPOSED RENDERING
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
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PROPOSED RENDERING
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Phase 2
Phase 1 (Shelter)
Phase 1 (Furniture)
ROSEHILL PATIO IMPROVEMENT PURCHASE BREAKDOWN (Per Shelter) Item
Reference Product
Unit Cost
Quantity
Total
Lumber
2” x 8” x 16’ Pressure Treated
$16 / Board
10Boards
$160
Lumber
2” x 4” x 8’ Pressure Treated
$5.50 / Board
22 Boards
$121
Posts
4” x 4” x 8’ Pressure Treated
$17 / Post
10 Posts
$170
Screws
#10 x 3-1/2 in. Philips Bugle-Head Coarse Thread Exterior Screw
$27 / Box (264)
2 Boxes
$54
Lumber
2” x 10” x 16’ Pressure Treated
$32 / Board
5 Boards
$160
Posts
4” x 4” x 10’ Pressure Treated
$22 / Post
12 posts
$264
Decking
26” x 12’ Corrugated White PVC Roof Panel
$23 / Panel
8 Panels
$184
Trellis Partition
6’ x 3’ Expandable Bamboo Trellis
$36 / Panel
6 Panels
$216
Planting
Misc. Flowers, Shrubs
$250
Allowance
$250
Wood Mulch
1.5 cubic feet of brown mulch
$2.50 / Bag
8 Bags
$20
Soil
0.75 cubic feet of top soil
$2.50 / Bag
16 Bags
$40
$25 / Roll
4 Rolls
$100
Plastic Partition Sheeting 10’ x 25’ Clear 6-mil Polyethylene Sheeting
Neighborhood Now - University Neighborhood Housing Program
2751 Grand Concourse \\ 2855 Southern Blvd
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