Jackson Heights Life

Apparently, today work is commencing on Diversity Plaza.

Does anyone know what the plans are for the plaza?

How it will look when finished?

I can't seem to find the vision for the Plaza online.

Thanks

Regarding the plans. We're trying to get tree guards or, if that isn't possible, grates to protect the soil around trees and their roots against compaction. Otherwise those trees will face a very hostile environment with all that foot traffic.
Unfortunately the trees they are planting in the main section of the plaza, honey locusts, do not cast very much shade. But the merchants were worried that pedestrians won't see their business signs with more formidable trees, not really a valid worry since people are on foot walking slowly rather than speeding by on a commercial strip in the suburbs.

Grateful as I truly am for the street benches, I wish more were located in shade!

Unfortunately the trees they are planting in the main section of the plaza, honey locusts, do not cast very much shade. But the merchants were worried that pedestrians won't see their business signs with more formidable trees, not really a valid worry since people are on foot walking slowly rather than speeding by on a commercial strip in the suburbs.

Both the honey locusts in the main section and the sweet gum trees planned to be in the plaza across Broadway are trees native to the US which is more beneficial for the environment in general. Many of the trees that the city plants are not native and have little or no value for wildlife. I realize their priority is to find species of trees that can withstand tough urban conditions, but I'd think there would be enough of a selection of native trees for this. I think the honey locusts are a good choice for that area as they are really tough trees that can withstand a lot. I believe there are some planted in that area around 74th and you wouldn't know what they withstand by looking at them. They are tough trees as are the sweet gum!

I'm excited to hear work has begun. It looks like construction may begin on Travers Park later this year as well. It's a slow process, but it's happening!

if it's the kind they have installed around Madison Square Park, and a handful of other places in Manhattan, it will be. those aren't porta potties, they have actual water - and a time limit enforced by a lock that pops open after x number of minutes.

So the recent sidewalk paving has caused the privacy screening to be removed and revealed how much work has been done so far.  Looks like next to nothing has been done.  There is some digging and filling in, presumably for Con Ed work like everywhere else in Jackson Heights, but no other changes are visible.  Is anyone monitoring this project?

I was thinking the same thing.

Union labor as required by the city tends to not be very quick or cheap. These workers stretch the work out. At least the new sidewalks are clean. Soon with all the grease from the restaurants they will turn black again. Too bad they don't install those wifi towers where the food carts are. There are too many carts and no garbage collection.

So the recent sidewalk paving has caused the privacy screening to be removed and revealed how much work has been done so far.  Looks like next to nothing has been done.  There is some digging and filling in, presumably for Con Ed work like everywhere else in Jackson Heights, but no other changes are visible.  Is anyone monitoring this project?

I pass Diversity Plaza daily on my way to work. Workers have been active every day since the project began.

Per this June 2017 article: https://jacksonheightspost.com/diversity-plaza-revamp-to-be-completed-by-june-2018-officials-say, the project is being overseen by the Department of Design and Construction. You can probably contact them if you have concerns: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/ddc/index.page