High rise bus terminal planned for New York

The Port Authority and a New York City development team released three finalist renderings for a major office tower to be built on top of the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York last week.

The proposed air rights development will add approximately 120 000 square metres of sustainable first-class office space above the terminal and allow for significant improvements to the terminal facility, including new mass transit opportunities for commuters through increased bus capacity and the renovation of approximately 5 570 square metres within the existing North Wing for retail use. It is expected to generate approximately £250 million for the Port Authority over the term of the lease.

Port Authority Chairman Anthony R. Coscia said, "Today's action represents important progress for this creative agreement that will lead to better commutes for 200,000 daily bus passengers and help revitalize the west side of Manhattan. The upgrades planned for the bus terminal are a critical part of our vision to enhance the region's mass transit system through expanded capacity and a better experience for commuters throughout the region."

 

 

In addition to the office tower, the redevelopment will include better pedestrian circulation with new escalators from gates to the ground floor, the renovation and creation of approximately 60,000 square feet of bus terminal retail and 18 new bus gates and upgraded existing gates, enabling an additional 70 buses per hour.The Port Authority Bus Terminal opened in 1950 and has become the busiest bus passenger facility in the world, handling 7,000 buses and 200,000 commuters each day. It includes 223 bus gates, retail and commercial space, and public parking for 1,250 vehicles. It provides bus service for travel in the New York-New Jersey region, as well as long-distance service to almost any point in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Since it opened, more than three billion passengers have used the bus terminal.