The 21st Century Street

Fourth and Ninth presents an ideal scenario for creating the street of the 21st century. As you will observe in this design, there are a few key concepts that are rather universal and easily replicable, making it a model for rehabilitating other intersections in the future.

Significant features of this proposal:

• A subterranean intersection that provides ample clearance and an adequate number of travel lanes to accommodate all street vehicles.

• A large public square will not only provide pedestrians with safe passage, but it also serves as a multi-use space for the surrounding neighborhood. A small stage provides the nearby music school with an outlet for community interaction. The square’s surface will be wood decking, reminiscent of the boardwalk at Coney Island.

• Separated bus lanes establish a segment of transit infrastructure that can be further expanded. In the future, these bus lanes could tie into an efficient network of BRT lanes.

• Wider sidewalks provide a comfortable, safe, and more walkable streetscape. There would be ample room for more street furnishings and even sidewalk cafes.

• Bicyclist will experience improved circulation by sharing the bus lane, while slower riders can still use the sidewalk. At 13 ½ feet wide, the bus lanes are wide enough for a bus to safely pass a bicyclist.

• The bridge is covered with frosted green plate glass, giving it a clean and contemporary look. Pedestrians will experience the bridge in a completely new way when they walk under the bridge. Undulating rays of light will dance behind the plate glass underneath the bridge, providing a sense of tranquility and safety.

• Public art was a detail not provided by the images, but would dovetail nicely with this space and needs mentioning. I have envisioned human scaled insects that are humanized in the way they occupy the space. Imagine a sculpture of an ant skateboarding through the square, or a bee carrying a brief case as if it were going to work. Public art of this nature would provide a playful setting for this space and enhance the pedestrian’s experience.

This design not only creates a well functioning intersection for all modes of travel, but it can also be replicated to incrementally create a more efficient network of mobility for all. Most important though is that this design addresses the problems at hand for the intersection of 4th and 9th by creating a public space that will be an asset for the community.