melrose commons- inclusive urban renewal in the bronx

Melrose Commons PlanGreg Behl and Sean Rowden

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5b

5a

1. Central Square

Permanent programmatic elements on upper level, open

space below steps

Active Ground-level commercial space saturates buildings facing the square

Central urban node of the area at the confluence of several pathways

1. Central Square

1. Central Square

Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco

Spanish Steps, Rome

2. Pedestrian Commercial Streets?

2. Pedestrian Commercial StreetsReplace ground-level residential space with small, active, high-volume commercial spaces

Commercial uses for back side of Courthouse, placing market stalls/outdoor seating along street edge to lessen severity of the façade

Plaka, Athens

Fordham Plaza, Bronx

2. Pedestrian Commercial Streets

3. Monumental Square

3. Monumental SquareFront façade of Courthouse has a monumental

aesthetic that it lends to the square it facesSquare should be sparse and spacious, no

permanent program, but a periodic greenmarket

3. Monumental Square

Campidoglio, Rome

Groningen, Netherlands

Florence, Italy

4. Linear Integrity of 161st st

4. Linear Integrity of 161st st

4. Linear Integrity of 161st stCommerial activity on both sides of 161st to extend vitality down from Concourse area

Add crosswalks and renovate paving to south of O’Neill Triangle to strengthen visual perception of a linear continuation of street to Courthouse

Narrow current roadway between Melrose Commons and Park area

5. Former Rail TracksDevelop the abandoned rail tracks at a later stage of

development, after the area has attracted residents and businesses and has demonstrated an appropriate level of activity

5a- An underground concourse with commercial shops underground and connected to sub-level of Boricua building

5b- A residential/recreational linear park-like area

5a. North Section

5a. Mall/Concourse

Beursplein, Rotterdam

Proposal, Shanghai

Ville Souterraine, Montréal

Glass roof provides an interesting feature with enticements to interact to the street above, and lets in natural light below.

5b. South Section

5b. Greenway/Courtyard

Split, Croatia

Village in Italy

Linear Courtyard area; Greenway with landscaping, street furniture and multiple

staircases to ground level

Lack of Public Green Space In Morrisania

• Creative Development of smaller City owned parcels of land

• Abandoned Lot Saturation Unnecessary

Low Cost- Utilizes Existing Open Lots

4X Fold Increase in available Public Green Space

A Greener Neighborhood

6. Park Utilize Empty Lots Nearest Melrose Commons

Creation of Melrose Gardens

Eliminate Brook Ave as it is a useless road to maximize green space

Addition of Basketball Court to Increase Multi-Use of Park Area

Low-Line Park Terminus