The Plan
NYC DOT is actively studying Grand Army Plaza. This is our moment to shape its future.
Official DOT Documents
These are the primary sources. NYC DOT has been studying Grand Army Plaza since 2022, and the design phase is happening now.
-
Community Update — April 2024 (PDF) — Overview of the CPSD study and the design concepts, including Option B: “Unified Public Spaces”
-
Workshop Boards — June 2024 (PDF) — Detailed diagrams showing pedestrian volumes, bike routes, bus operations, and the design options
-
Workshop Summary — November 2022 (PDF) — First-round community feedback showing majority interest in unifying public spaces
-
DOT Current Projects Index — All Grand Army Plaza documents in one place
The CPSD Study
NYC DOT and DDC are in a $1.8 million Conceptual/Preliminary/Schematic Design (CPSD) phase for Grand Army Plaza and nearby corridors. They’re studying multiple concepts for the plaza’s future — and Option B: “Unified Public Spaces” would create the pedestrian-first plaza we need.
This is the moment when community input has the most leverage. Once designs advance past this phase, making major changes becomes much harder and more expensive.
What is Option B?
From NYC DOT Workshop Boards, June 2024
Option B — “Unified Public Spaces” would:
- Close the roadway that currently separates the Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Arch from Prospect Park
- Consolidate fragmented traffic islands into a single, contiguous pedestrian plaza
- Shorten dangerous crossings that currently force pedestrians to navigate multiple lanes of traffic
- Improve B41 bus operations with better stop placement and routing
- Create programmable civic space for the Greenmarket, events, and daily neighborhood life
The goal: one grand plaza connecting the Arch to the Park, instead of the confusing, car-dominated traffic circle we have today.
What We’re Asking For
We’re urging DOT, DDC, Community Boards 6, 8, and 9, and City Council Districts 35 and 39 to:
- Advance Option B into the next phase of capital design
- Remove through-traffic between the Arch and Prospect Park
- Prioritize pedestrian safety and accessibility over vehicle throughput
- Design for daily use, not just special events
Timeline
| Phase | Status |
|---|---|
| Initial community engagement | Complete (2022) |
| CPSD study with options | In progress (2024-2025) |
| Option selection & refinement | Next |
| Final design | TBD |
| Construction | TBD |
Now is the time to weigh in. The option chosen in this phase will shape the plaza for decades to come.
Ready to add your voice?