Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel today joined Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, State Senator Daniel Squadron, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Regional Director Vincent Hom, Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty, Uniformed Sanitationmen's Association President Harry Nespoli, Community Board 1 Chair Julie Menin, and Southbridge Towers Inc. President Wallace Dimson to cut the ribbon on the new DeLury Square, located at the intersection of Fulton and Gold Streets in historic Lower Manhattan. The construction was funded with nearly $2.3 million provided by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation as part of the City's effort to increase parks and open spaces in the downtown area in the aftermath of 9/11.
"The Bloomberg Administration recognizes the important connection between the attractiveness of our City's neighborhoods and the health and vitality of our local economy," said Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel. "Despite the national economic downturn, we've continued to make targeted investments in neighborhoods in all five boroughs to help them become even better places to live, work and visit. The new DeLury Square is the latest example of that commitment and will be a tremendous asset for Lower Manhattan, one of New York's fastest-growing residential neighborhoods."
"DeLury Square offers a peaceful, green oasis within this densely populated and busy commercial and residential area," said Parks & Recreation Commissioner
Adrian Benepe. "We are grateful to the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation for providing nearly $2.3 million to build this beautiful, safe, and accessible park, which is a critical asset for the neighborhood as well as for the ongoing revitalization of the Fulton Street Corridor. Joined with the soon to be completed Titanic Park at the gateway to the South Street Seaport, and the innovative Imagination Playground at Burling Slip, New Yorkers now have several welcome respites from the busy canyons of downtown Manhattan."
DeLury Square was created by realigning the intersection, removing a dangerous turning lane and merging this reclaimed streetspace with property acquired from the Southbridge Towers Co-op. This reflects the Bloomberg administration's continued efforts to improve the quality-of-life for pedestrians, and create attractive, open space that will become a neighborhood amenity.
The new 8,850-square-foot park includes a display fountain, which provides a visual focal point while helping to mask noise from the adjacent streets. The existing large trees are complemented by new trees and plantings, arranged to provide a lush, green landscape. New benches with a simple and graceful style that match the fountain accommodate those wishing to rest within the park. A new drainage system and a drinking fountain are included. A steel perimeter fence, entrance gates that lock and new lighting provide added security to the park.
The triangle created by the intersection of Fulton and Gold Streets was originally turned into a small public plaza in 1984. The plaza was named for John DeLury Sr., who founded Local 831 of the Uniformed Sanitationmen's Association in 1956 and served as its president until 1978. The City acquired 5,792 square-feet of land from the Southbridge Towers Co-op and merged it with street right-of-way with the help of the Department of Transportation to create this new park. The preceding plaza was demolished in the course of the street realignment and its name was transferred to this improved green oasis.
DeLury Square's construction was funded by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation for nearly $2.3 million. It was designed by Parks Landscape Architect Alex Hart and built by Trocom Construction Corp.
In addition to DeLury Square, the revitalization of the Fulton Street Corridor includes the soon to open Titanic Park on Fulton and Water Streets. Titanic Park is a public open space administered by the NYC Economic Development Corporation and will be maintained by General Growth Partners as part of their lease for the South Street Seaport. At a cost of $917,000, Titanic Park was designed by Parks Landscape Architect
George Bloomer and built by Argus Construction and Equipment Inc.
DeLury Square and Titanic Park each complement Imagination Playground at Burling Slip, which opened in July, and an expanded Pearl Street Playground, which will begin construction next year. A new streetscape linking DeLury Square and Pearl Street Playground, which was designed by Parks and will be built by the Department of Design and Construction, will also start construction next year.
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