Bryant Park

Bryant Park is the most densely occupied urban space in the world. It is considered one
of the most successful public spaces in the world.

A Privately-Managed Public Space

Bryant Park is a privately-managed public space, which means that while it belongs to
New York City’s Department of Parks and Recreation, it is managed by a private non-
for-profit: Bryant Park Corporation (BPC). Although BPC once relied on the
Rockefellers Fund for financial backing, today the corporation sustains the park on
assessments on surrounding property within the BID, fees from the kiosk
concessionaires, and revenue paid by sponsors to hold events. With over 125 events
every year, the generated funds comprise a significant part of BPC’s 5 million dollar
budget, all of which comes from the private sector, dedicated primarily to the park’s
upkeep. All the events are free and open to the public, except for the bi-annual two week
fashion shows for which Mercedes Benz pays BPC a million dollars yearly.

Past and Present Development

Part of what ensures Bryant Park’s vibrancy stems from the extensive renovations
undertaken from 1988 to 1992 under the auspices of BPC. These renovations facilitated
three of the qualities that have allowed Bryant Park to flourish as a public space: safety,
comfort, and attractiveness. To address safety concerns, the renovations included new
entrances with better visibility, the revitalization of park paths and installation of better
lighting, the lowering of the park to near street level, and the removal of the tall hedges
on its perimeter that blocked all visibility. Matters of comfort and beauty were addressed
through the rehabilitation of the formal French gardens, the creation of luxurious public
restrooms, water fountains, restaurants, and concession kiosks. Overall, the cost of the
renovations totaled 18 million, which was raised through grants, BID assessments, state
bond funds, city capital funds, and private venture capital.

Today, Bryant Park has become a space that fuels its own improvement and maintenance.
The design of the park, perfected during the renovations, has been crucial to this end. For
example, one of the park’s most useful spaces is the Great Lawn. On an unremarkable
day, the Great Lawn is a popular, flexible seating area, especially for the park’s leading
demographic: midtown business workers who come to each lunch. However, the Great
Lawn also serves as the perfect locale for a number of large scale events, which then in
turn generates the revenue needed to sustain the Lawn. In fact, the Great Lawn is the
center for all of the park’s major events, which include the following (among others):
HBO Summer Film Festival
Broadway in Bryant Park, sponsored by Clear Channel
Bank of America Presents New York Now, a series featuring concerts by five of New
York's classical music organizations
Pinstripes in the Park, sponsored by the New York Yankees, an event featuring a live
broadcast of a NY Yankee game, stadium concessions, and former Yankee greats
greeting the crowd and signing autographs.
The Pond at Bryant Park, winter-time ice skating rink sponsored by Citi

Part of what makes Bryant Park’s design so successful is its location in midtown
Manhattan. Not only does it provide a green haven in the midst of midtown’s sky-
scrapers for business people, but it also recognizes its key demographic and location by
providing free access to wireless internet. In addition, many of the events at the park are
sponsored by nearby corporations, who see the park as an opportunity to continue
improving the neighborhood value.

From Bryant Park to Greater Kennedy Plaza

What can we apply from Bryant Park to Greater Kennedy Plaza?

1. The design of GKP must cater to the needs of the local community and the intended
audience (as a function of its location)
2. The management of GKP should capitalize on private resources. Although Bryant Park
has recently been attacked for becoming an increasingly private space, the month in
which the park is closed to the public account for approximately 20 percent of the BPC’s
budget, allowing for the park’s improvement and maintenance. Events sponsored by
private companies likewise can be used to promote local business
3. Importance of good management
4. Importance of security and safety

Key differences between Bryant Park and GKP that must be kept in mind:
1. Size (Bryant Park has a total space 9 acres)
2. GKP’s identity as a transit hub
3. Greater private sector opportunities in New York than Providence

Resources:
http://www.bryantpark.org/park-management/press/012606-nys.php
http://www.bryantpark.org/
http://www.bryantpark.org/park-management/press/100208-etn.php
http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/bryantpark/events
http://www.curatormagazine.com/natalierace/in-praise-of-bryant-park/
http://www.aviewoncities.com/nyc/bryantpark.htm