We have a date. Or, at least, close to one. Projected opening for the entire Eastern side of Washington Square Park Phase II, currently under construction, is slated for “Around Memorial Day.” That’s the (latest) word from the NYC Parks Department stated last night at a meeting of Community Board 2’s Parks Committee. The agency is now saying “early June” for the Chess area and Southwestern Plaza (tho’ I doubt the Eastern and SW sections will open so close together in time). As I predicted, Phase II is opening in two parts.
Yet again, however, Community Board 2 and the Parks Department paid scant attention to one of the city’s most prominent parks. First, Washington Square Park was listed last on the published agenda of topics to be covered, almost as if an afterthought.
The focus on the meeting was updates on the status of seven Greenwich Village area parks, including Seravalli Playground, Petrocino Park, Minetta Playground, JJ Walker Field, Bleecker Playground & Comfort Station/Bleecker Sitting Area, and the High Line. One of these is only .03 of an acre.
Then, at the meeting, instead of an update presented by designer George Vellonakis or WSP Park Administrator Rebecca Ferguson (neither was present), it was given by Brad Romaker from the Capital Projects division of the Parks Department. Romaker has a disarming honesty that also makes him immensely likable. However, that can’t make up for the fact that he was sent in to the meeting with little knowledge of any of the projects he updated on, other than what was contained on a piece of paper from which he read updates.
As far as Washington Square Park Phase III — Restrooms and Parks’ Administrative Building, which now also includes the Mounds and Large Dog Run (previously in Phase II) — Romaker informed the community that this will go out for contractor bids in May. He said construction on Phase III will begin in “late summer” (I believe this is highly unlikely).
The Parks Department has not updated on Washington Square substantively in more than a year. I question their judgment in not sending someone familiar with the project to update the community and New Yorkers on this historic and landmark New York City park.
This is Part I update on the meeting. Part II to follow Monday, April 11th.
* The Skinny on Phase II Construction and Why it’s so behind schedule.
Today is May 26 and for the first time in a long time I have actually seen more than two people working on Washington Square Park. I am hoping that it will open this weekend. I have watched this project daily and it looks like no one was in charge. What a shame that they could not have gotten this together and opened the park sooner./
Hi Barbara,
Hard to understand the delays and the way the project moved forward (except when it didn’t). I think everyone would agree that it should have been completed sooner! It would be good if the Parks Dept. had been held more accountable by some governing body but, as I’ve written here before, CB2 and Margaret Chin have pretty much looked the other way. But! at least it will be open soon (but not over the weekend).
Thanks for writing. Feel free to write anytime with your observations!
best,
Cathryn.