A new pedestrian plaza featuring public seating and concession stands will open on Fifth Avenue near Central Park this Friday, in a bid to bring more public space to an area that has historically provided little pedestrian-friendly amenities.
The Fifth Avenue Association, the Business Improvement District representing businesses between 46th Street and 61st Street on the avenue, has activated a space on the east side of Grand Army Plaza between 58th and 59th Street and on the north side of w58th Street near the Pulitzer Fountain.
Ed Pincar, president of the Fifth Avenue Association, said the DOT installed painted pedestrian zones in the area during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 but said the spaces were “overrun” by petty cabs and unlicensed street vendors.
He said the BID approached the DOT about activating the space after the Central Park Conservancy set about renovating Grand Army Plaza and the Pulitzer Fountain two years ago.
The BID installed custom tables and chairs in the area capable of seating 64 people as well as installing planters with the option for seasonal plantings.
Pedestrians have already been trying out the new street furniture, which is available seven days a week, but the plaza will officially open on July 3, when Parisian tea room and bakery Angelina opens a concession stand in the location.
Angelina will operate a concession stand at the plaza every weekend during summer through Sept. 7, Pincar said.
“We’ve not only beautified the space and made it more inviting. We’re also now working with Angelina Paris to give a real opportunity to enjoy concessions, beautiful pastries, ice cream, coffee within the space,” Pincar said.
Pincar said the thoroughfare sees a “tremendous amount of foot traffic” from shoppers and visitors alike but said there had been precious little spaces to slow down and take a break.
“There was never an opportunity for real respite,” Pincar said. “We’re encouraging New Yorkers and visitors from around the world to take a moment to pause, reflect, and really enjoy one of the most beautiful spots in New York City in a completely new way.”
Pincar further noted that the new pedestrian plaza precedes the Future of Fifth redevelopment plan, a public-private partnership aiming to transform the Fifth Avenue corridor from Bryant Park to Central Park through street and public realm improvements that prioritize pedestrians by widening sidewalks and incorporating seating, trees, plantings and spaces for commmunity gathering and interaction.
“Fifth Avenue itself has not always matched the in-store opportunities,” Pincar said. “The Association is focused on elevating the pedestrian experience up and down Fifth Avenue and here at Grand Army Plaza to something much more special than it was before.”
Pincar believes that the new plaza has already been a “grand slam” with pedestrians on Fifth Avenue, stating that the BID had taken an underutilized roadway and converted it into a pedestrianized zone.
“The city had reserved the painted pedestrian spaces a couple of years ago without any plan to activate it, and the Association saw the opportunity to layer on something new.”
The BID will continue to work with the city to continue to run activations and concession stands at the space after the summer, but said the seating and seasonal plantings will be a year-round fixture for pedestrians to enjoy.
“Our goal is certainly to have appropriate and exciting activations throughout the year.”
