James Madison Plaza is being rebuilt as a park with central fountain

On the east side of downtown's Police Plaza security zone, the NYC Parks and Recreation Department is replacing the all-asphalt James Madison Plaza with 40 percent greenspace, two water features, and a variety of new seating.

The 17,500-square-foot triangular plaza, named for the fourth U.S. president, is one of several downtown public spaces and parks being revamped thanks to funding from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC). The Police Department is also contributing to the budget for some security components such as bollards.

Construction of the new $2.161-million plaza began in May 2010, with crews removing the pavement to make way for new entrances at its three corners. They will form paths that converge in colorful swirls at the center, where a large stone base will serve as the bottom of a new fountain. A four-foot-wide granite globe will be suspended on the water at its center, and it will be easily rotated by the push of a finger.

Planters filled with flowers and shrubs will surround the plaza's perimeter, and one wall will be decorated with the plaza's second water feature. The only remaining elements of the original plaza will be the trees that surround it. New benches, bike racks, lighting, a drinking fountain, game tables, and café-style tables also will add to the rebuilt community greenspace.

The new James Madison Plaza is expected to open in summer 2013.

For more history of James Madison Plaza, click here.

Locate this project on the Interactive Streetwork Map.

Daily Activities

*The following information was last updated April 26, 2013.

• Pavement, utility, and bollard installation is in final stages
• The project completion is expected in summer 2013

Contact Info

For more information click here to visit the Parks Department website, or call 311 or (212) NEW-YORK.

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