LMDC to pay for open space.

The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation's board of directors authorized an additional $19.5 million ($500,000 was approved in August) to renovate, improve or create six lower Manhattan parks and open spaces. This is in addition to more than $100 million that the agency has previously approved, including $70 million in funding for the expansion of Hudson River Park.

Parks targeted for improvement under this round of LMDC funding will include: James Madison, Canal Varick Laight, Sara D. Roosevelt, Pike/Allen St. Malls, Collect Pond Park and Washington Market. Improvements will include new fencing, plantings, water features, play equipment, benches and sitting areas, lighting, pavement and curbing, drainage and infrastructure.

In addition, the LMDC board authorized $38 million in funding to revitalize the Fulton Street corridor, including plans for renovating and enhancing existing open spaces. The project proposes to redevelop the area into a mixed-use retail corridor serving the surrounding commercial and residential sectors, as well as the growing visitor market.

The following is the scope of work at each of the six park sites that will be renovated or created:

James Madison: LMDC funds will transform this triangular parking lot into a passive garden-like sitting area for use by office workers and local residents. New plantings and fencing will protect the sitting area from nearby traffic. Flowering trees, perennials, decorative grasses and groundcovers will supplement the existing perimeter Elm trees and transform this space. The project will include new drainage and water supply, a spray fountain, new benches, trash receptacles and lighting.

Canal Varick Laight: this project will create a new park as a gateway to New York City and lower Manhattan. Just under one-half acre of the interior of the site, now surrounded by a new concrete sidewalk, will be paved with hex block, bluestone and granite cobbles. The triangle will be lined on all sides with new street trees and canopy trees that will be contained in three large ornamental planting beds. The plantings will be protected with steel picket fencing and lined with contemporary benches. A new sculpture and fountain will be placed within the central seating area, with new fencing, fountain, plantings and benches.

Sara D Roosevelt, Phase II: this project will include the reconstruction of the park playground, including new play equipment, a spray shower, benches, drinking fountain and lighting. Trees on the perimeter will be supplemented with new trees, shrubs and perennials.

Pike/Allen St. Malls: LMDC funding will be used to reconstruct the center plots along Allen Street and Pike Street, which are in poor condition. This project will reconstruct eight center plots along Allen Street and seven center plots along Pike Street as areas with plantings and paths, including new pavements and curbs, fencing and gates, bollards, benches, lighting, trees, ground cover and water supply.

Collect Pond Park: LMDC funding will reconstruct this site, which is in poor condition. This project will reconstruct the existing site and expand the park to its proper property line along the southern portion as a passive park with planting and paths. The reconstruction will include new pavements and curbs, fencing and gates, bollards, benches, drinking fountains, water feature, park lighting, plant material, water supply and water drainage.

Washington Market, Phase II: LMDC previously funded landscape renovations at Washington Market Park. The purpose of "Phase 2" is to provide a new building of approximately 900 s/f to house a comfort station. The park is the only playground within a several block area and is heavily used by families. The park currently does not offer public bathrooms for caregivers and/or children.