Broadway serves as the heart of New York. In just 2.3 miles from Central Park to Union Square, it forms the spine of world-famous theaters in Times Square, loads of office space throughout the Garment District, delectable eateries in Koreatown, fashionable shops in the Flatiron District, and fresh food near Union Square. 

Broadway features five main "nodes" along its stretch: 

• Columbus Circle

• Times Square

• Herald Square

• Madison Square

• Union Square

In these five locations, Broadway connects with other avenues to provide the nexus point of neighborhoods. We've seen noticable improvement in Broadway's pedestrian plazas around these squares, starting with Times Square in 2009. Yet current planning lacks cohesive ideas on how to design the space uniquely in each of these five different nodesand how to "interface" between them. The end result is similar pedestrian plazas clustered around these areas with little consideration to the "in-between" space. We're seeking to change that with the "Broadway in Five Acts" Plan.

Union Square has always served as a gathering space for New Yorkers of all backgrounds to share their thoughts and organize events. Throughout the years so many protests have centered around Union Square as a shared space of expression, weaving advocacy into the fabric of the square. The climate clock that looms over the square, counting down the days until we surpass 1.5*C of warming, serves as a reminder of the importance of environmentally-friendly design. The greenmarket along Union Square West provides access to healthy, local foods for New Yorkers near and far. 

Given these existing uses, we think the following uses would suit the area as a part of the BLiP: 

Walking north to the Flatiron District around Madison Square Park, food options abound. Restaurants abound on 23rd Street near Broadway, anchored by the expansive Eataly complex. Broadway from 25th to 27th Streets already lays claim to well-used open restaurants. Beyond tasty cuisine, art and architecture stand out in this section. Madison Square Park boasts many seasonal art installations. The buildings here form some of New York's more reknown with exquisite architecture, among them the Flatiron Building and New York Life Insurance Building. 

The following designs would suit the area as a part of the BLiP: 

Herald Square forms one of the City's most vibrant shopping areas. Macy's dominates the area with many other clothing stores nearby. The Institute of Fashion and Design is just a block over on 7th Avenue, adding to the eccelctic fashion scene. Yet all of these establishments simply line the sides of Broadway and the environs. The plaza blocks near Herald Square are well-used for seating, live music, and ping pong, but the hyper local fixtures fail to make their way into the street design. Koreatown, for example, is relegated to 32nd Street, with little presence felt around the corner on Broadway itself. 

The following designs would suit the area as a part of the BLiP: 

Described as the "center of the world," Times Square attracts tourists from all corners to its eccentric musicals and shopping. Previously an ever-congested bow-tie intersection between 7th Avenue and Broadway, DOT's work to create a pedestrian plaza from 42nd Street to 47th Street in the late 2000s transformed the area for the better. A pedestrianized Broadway excels here, so why not to the north and south as well?  Integrating this stretch of plaza into the greater BLiP would encourage visitors to explore more of Broadway and increase spending along the corridor.

New York should never stop dreaming, so we have some ideas on how to take this pedestrian plaza to the next level as a part of the BLiP as well. Below are some of our ideas:  

Approaching Central Park walking north on Broadway, the hustle and bustle of Times Square dims as the park nears. However, the noise of car horns and tires detracts from the welcoming reprieve possible along Broadway in the 50s. Adding crafted natural spaces would provide a southern extension of Central Park into the heart of Manhattan for all to enjoy as a respite. This section of Broadway is a gateway from Central Park and it's pastoral charms to the clamour of midtown.  Broadway can mediate between these, as it is can bring together an urban street together with greenery and water features. Below are some ideas:

The "Broadway in Five Acts" part of the BLiP proposal is meant to spark discussion instead of providing a definitive plan. We'd love to hear your thoughts for what you'd like to see in the BLiP! Feel free to share them with us below.