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Transportation & Environment
Application by the NYPD’s Facilities Management Division to perform an extensive re-design and renovation of the interior and exterior of the Times Square Substation
WHEREAS, Times Square is one of the busiest neighborhoods in New York City, with more than 50 million visitors annually; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant, the New York Police Department ("NYPD"), needs to maintain a steady presence in Times Square to ensure the safety of New Yorkers and visitors; and
WHEREAS, The NYPD currently maintains the Times Square Substation on West 43rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues; and
WHEREAS, The existing facility is a one-story brick and glass structure housing approximately 1,000 square feet of space comprised of an administrative office, a one-person holding cell, lockers, and mechanical equipment; and
WHEREAS, The NYPD recognizes this facility is considerably outdated and under-utilized; and
WHEREAS, The NYPD seeks approval from the Public Design Commission ("PDC") to renovate both the interior and exterior of this facility; and
WHEREAS, The NYPD also seeks to use this opportunity to re-imagine the purpose of this Substation as a means to improve interactions between the police and New Yorkers and visitors; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant is currently in the early planning stages of this project; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant has made great efforts to engage the public in the planning and design of the new facility; and
WHEREAS, The NYPD intends to confine the new construction to the existing building's footprint; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant proposes a general design with wide floor-to-ceiling windows to create transparency and establish a welcoming atmosphere; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant proposes to build information kiosks inside the new facility to assist visitors to the area; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant anticipates removing the existing holding cell and replacing it with state-of-the art video monitors to assist with the NYPD's vast anti-terrorism initiatives; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant proposes using the remaining public space for exhibition materials to better acquaint visitors with the history of the NYPD; and
WHEREAS, Community Board Five commends the NYPD for their efforts to seek out and incorporate input from members of the public during this design process; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant has demonstrated a sincere desire to work with the community in the development of this project; and
WHEREAS, The Applicant will return to the Community Board at a later date to present a more detailed plan; therefore be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five approves the application by the New York Police Department's Facilities Management Division to perform an extensive re-design and renovation of the interior and exterior of the Times Square Substation.