That long-vacant lot on Fourth Street between 2 Cooper Square and the Merchant's House Museum has always been a bit of a mystery ... seems like prime space just waiting for a, say, hotel!
Since the 1990s, the Department of Environmental Preservation (DEP) has used this city-owned space to work on shafts connected to the underground network of tunnels that supply the city's drinking water.
Now, as promised some years ago, this lot will be turned into a city park — or rather "passive recreation space."
On Monday night, reps from the city will host a meeting to discuss usage for the site...
Per the invite:
Please join us to discuss creating a passive recreation space at the DEP shaft site on East Fourth Street
Monday, Oct. 1:
6:30 p.m. — Meet first to see the DEP shaft site
7 p.m. — Scope meeting at JASA Green Residence, 200 E. Fifth St. at the Bowery
This project was funded by Mayor de Blasio and former Council Member Rosie Mendez, and is supported by Council Member Carlina Rivera.
NYC Parks is starting the design process for this project by holding a scope meeting, in which local residents and stakeholders to learn about the opportunities at the site and provide feedback. With this input, we will develop a design to be presented to Community Board 2 for public review.
The park space here will measure 9,750 square feet. This DNAinfo article from 2016 has more background.
