Columbus Ave. BID sponsors a three hour workshop on initiatives

"The Columbus Ave. Business Improvement District (BID) has sponsored a three-hour workshop on place-making initiatives with Project for Public Spaces (PPS), a not-for-profit urban planning organization, at the American Museum of Natural History," said, Barbara Adler, executive director of the BID. Participating in the event were 60 of the city's top place making and public space advocates, along with Columbus Ave. BID retail owners, area property owners and residents and elected officials. The charrette began with an analysis of the Columbus Ave. BID district, which extends from West 67th St. to West 82nd St. The participants were divided into seven sub-groups to provide suggestions on how to create a more enticing environment for the avenue and enhance its draw. Ideas being exchanged included the addition of a protected bike lane, bulb-outs of sidewalks for additional trees and seating, a green market, movable tables and chairs along the Columbus side of Theodore Roosevelt Park, muni-meters, dinosaur sculptures to extend the presence of the Museum along the ave., bike racks, additional permanent seating and water fountains for dogs. In general, the discussions focused on place making opportunities and helping Columbus Avenue develop "sticky streets," the term used by PPS to describe the dynamics of places people return to repeatedly. Other suggestions addressed the desirability of additional public destinations within the BID, such as refreshment and book kiosks in front of Theodore Roosevelt Park, as well as encouraging street musicians to perform in designated locations, art installations on the fence surrounding the park and a New York City-run bicycle rental outpost, comparable to the ones in Paris, which would provide free or nominally priced rental bikes to the public. Leading the charrette were Fred Kent, president of Project for Public Spaces, and Phil Myrick, the organization's vice president for parks, plazas and squares.