Clivner=Field Plaza

In the bustling heart of New York City, where every square foot is precious, the creation of new public spaces is always a welcome development. Clivner=Field Plaza, located on Bernard Baruch Way near Baruch College, is one such modern addition that has transformed a busy street into a valuable urban oasis. After years of planning and construction, this plaza officially opened, aiming to provide a much-needed respite and gathering place for students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding Flatiron and Gramercy Park communities.

Clivner=Field Plaza represents a significant investment in public infrastructure, born from a collaborative effort between Baruch College, the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC), various city agencies, and local community stakeholders. The project aimed to convert a former pedestrian mall and active street into a permanent, inviting public space. While some initial reactions have noted the long construction timeline and specific design elements, the plaza's very existence provides a new opportunity for New Yorkers to find a moment of peace and connection outdoors.

One of its key intentions was to create a flexible outdoor area that could host a range of programming for both the college and the wider community, from quiet study spots to larger public events. It stands as a testament to the ongoing effort to integrate more green spaces and pedestrian-friendly areas into Manhattan's dense urban fabric, contributing to an improved quality of life for those who frequent this vibrant part of the city. As one resident noted, it's a "wonderful place to sit down and have a coffee and rest for a few minutes," offering a sense of quiet amidst the city's hum.

Location and Accessibility

Clivner=Field Plaza is strategically located at 151 Bernard Baruch Way, New York, NY 10010, USA. More specifically, it spans a full block along East 25th Street, nestled between Lexington Avenue and Third Avenue, on the campus of Baruch College. This prime location places it firmly within the dynamic Flatiron District, bordering the Gramercy Park and Kips Bay neighborhoods.

The plaza's accessibility is one of its strongest features. It sits at a crossroads of major transportation arteries, making it incredibly easy to reach from virtually anywhere in New York City.

• Subway Access: Several major subway lines are within a short walking distance. The 6 train (Lexington Avenue Local) has a station at 23rd Street, just a block south. The N, Q, R, and W trains (Broadway Local) also have stations at 23rd Street, offering connections across Manhattan and to Brooklyn and Queens. This extensive subway network ensures convenient access for daily commuters, students, and casual visitors alike.

• Bus Routes: Numerous city bus lines operate along Lexington Avenue, Third Avenue, and 23rd Street, providing additional public transportation options and connecting the plaza to a wider array of neighborhoods.

• Pedestrian-Friendly: The plaza itself is a dedicated pedestrian space, having been transformed from a former street into a car-free zone. This emphasis on pedestrian safety and comfort makes it easy and pleasant to navigate on foot, whether you're coming from nearby Baruch College buildings, local businesses, or residential areas.

• Cycling Access: While bicycles must be dismounted before entering the plaza, the surrounding streets are part of New York City's growing network of bike lanes, making it accessible for cyclists. Secure bike parking might be available nearby, encouraging active transportation.

Its central location in a bustling academic and commercial district means it’s also surrounded by a variety of amenities, including coffee shops (like MuCha located right in the plaza), eateries, and retail establishments, enhancing its utility as a convenient stopping point for a quick break or a leisurely sit-down.

Services Offered

Clivner=Field Plaza, as a public pedestrian plaza, primarily offers services and amenities designed to enhance the urban environment and provide a comfortable outdoor space for its users. These are not commercial services but rather civic provisions that contribute to the quality of life.

• Public Seating: A central feature of the plaza is its ample public seating. This includes a variety of options such as 21 new benches, 15 free-standing granite seats, and over 580 feet of granite seat walls and steps. These diverse seating arrangements allow visitors to relax, socialize, or simply take a break.

• Greenery and Plantings: The plaza incorporates numerous green areas and plantings, totaling nearly 180 square yards of greenery. These include 12 distinct green areas with over 600 species of plants, along with new and replaced trees (15 in total, including 6 new trees and 9 replacements). A three-dimensional trellis with evergreen and flowering vines adds to the aesthetic appeal and provides natural elements in the urban setting.

• Stormwater Management: Beyond aesthetics, the plantings and design of the plaza contribute to environmental services. The green areas are specifically designed to help absorb stormwater runoff, and new catch basins were installed, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable urban infrastructure.

• Improved Lighting: The plaza features new lighting installations, enhancing safety and usability during evening hours, making it a welcoming space both day and night.

• Accessible Pathways: The design includes patterned concrete paving throughout, creating smooth and accessible pathways for pedestrians, ensuring ease of movement for all users.

• Integrated Infrastructure Improvements: As part of its construction, essential underlying infrastructure was upgraded, including the replacement of water mains and the installation of new fire hydrants, improving the overall reliability of city services in the area.

• Community Gathering Space: While not a formal service, the plaza is designed to be a flexible space for informal gatherings, offering a spot for students, faculty, and community members to meet, converse, and engage.

Features / Highlights

Clivner=Field Plaza distinguishes itself through several key features and highlights that enhance its utility and aesthetic appeal in the Flatiron District.

• Strategic Pedestrianization: The most significant highlight is its transformation from a vehicle-heavy street to a dedicated pedestrian plaza. This greatly increases safety and creates a much calmer environment, a rare commodity in such a busy part of Manhattan. It converts what was once a traffic corridor into a human-centric space.

• Abundant Seating for Relaxation: The sheer volume and variety of seating options make the plaza highly functional. Whether you're looking for a quick break, a place to eat lunch, or a spot to simply sit and observe, the numerous benches, granite seats, and seat walls accommodate diverse needs. This is a crucial feature for a public space in a dense urban setting.

• Integrated Greenery and Urban Oasis: Despite some mixed initial reactions to its aesthetic, the plaza genuinely introduces significant greenery into an otherwise concrete-dominated area. The 12 green areas with diverse plantings and 15 trees contribute to a sense of natural respite, offering visual appeal and environmental benefits like improved air quality and stormwater absorption.

• Baruch College Integration: Being located directly on the Baruch College campus, the plaza serves as a vital extension of the academic environment. It provides students and faculty with convenient outdoor space for study, relaxation, and campus events, helping to foster a stronger campus feel for this urban university.

• Community-Driven Development: The plaza's development was a collaborative effort involving Baruch College, city agencies, Community Board 6, and local businesses and residents. This broad stakeholder engagement aimed to ensure the final design met the community's needs, making it a truly public space tailored for its users.

• Enhanced Safety: By closing the street to vehicular traffic, the plaza significantly improves safety for pedestrians, especially for the thousands of students and residents who traverse the area daily. This was a primary driver for the plaza's creation, addressing safety concerns from a high volume of mid-block crossings.

• Paver Program: A unique feature is the inclusion of 1,442 engraved pavers installed at the front entrance of the Newman Vertical Campus, purchased by Baruch College alumni and friends. This not only provided funding for the project but also created a lasting testament to the community's support.

Promotions or Special Offers

As a public plaza, Clivner=Field Plaza does not offer commercial "promotions" or "special offers" in the traditional sense of discounts or sales. Its primary "offer" is its accessibility and utility as a free public space for the community. However, we can highlight its inherent benefits as "offers" to locals:

• Free Public Access: The most significant "promotion" is that Clivner=Field Plaza is entirely free for public use, offering a valuable outdoor amenity without any cost of admission. This provides a significant benefit to residents, students, and workers in the area.

• Enhanced Quality of Life: The creation of a dedicated, green, and safe pedestrian zone in a dense urban environment is a substantial "offer" that directly improves the quality of life for those living and working nearby. It offers a place for relaxation, social interaction, and a moment of peace.

• Community Programming (Potential): While specific events are not consistently advertised as "promotions" for the plaza itself, the design intends to allow for various community events and college activities. These might include student gatherings, outdoor study sessions, or even small performances. Locals should check Baruch College's event calendar or local community board announcements for such opportunities.

• Support for Local Businesses: The presence of the plaza can indirectly benefit local businesses, such as nearby coffee shops (like MuCha, located within the plaza) and eateries, by providing a pleasant outdoor space for their customers to enjoy their purchases. This symbiotic relationship can be seen as an indirect "offer" to the local economy.

• Contribution to Urban Greening: The plantings and trees within the plaza contribute to the city's overall greening efforts, offering environmental benefits such like improved air quality and stormwater management, which are long-term "offers" to the urban ecosystem.

For specific events or programming, it is always best to consult Baruch College's official website or the Flatiron NoMad Partnership's public spaces section.

Contact Information

As Clivner=Field Plaza is a public space primarily associated with Baruch College and managed in conjunction with New York City agencies, there isn't a singular direct contact number specifically for the plaza itself in the way a private business would have. Inquiries would typically be directed to relevant departments or through city services.

Address: 151 Bernard Baruch Way, New York, NY 10010, USA (This address identifies the plaza's location on the Baruch College campus.)

For general inquiries about the plaza or its use, especially regarding college-related activities or public access rules, the Baruch College general information or facilities department might be the appropriate contact.

General Inquiries (Baruch College):

Phone: (646) 312-1000 (Baruch College's main number)

For concerns related to maintenance, cleanliness, or public safety within the plaza that might fall under city jurisdiction, the 311 service (New York City's primary non-emergency service request line) would be the appropriate channel.

For specific construction-related inquiries during any future renovation phases (though the permanent plaza is largely completed), the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) might have a Community Construction Liaison (CCL) for specific projects. For instance, during its construction, Diane Guskin (baruchplazaccl@gmail.com, Phone: 646-619-3206) was the CCL. It's always advisable to check current DDC project listings for ongoing work in the area.

For broader information on public spaces in the Flatiron and NoMad areas, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership website also serves as a valuable resource.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For New Yorkers, especially those residing or working in the Flatiron, Gramercy Park, and Kips Bay neighborhoods, Clivner=Field Plaza is a valuable addition to the urban landscape, making it highly suitable for locals. Its utility stems from addressing several key needs in a densely populated area.

Firstly, it provides much-needed open space. Manhattan Community Board 6, where the plaza is located, is known for having one of the lowest rates of public open space in the city. The transformation of a street into a pedestrian plaza directly mitigates this deficiency, offering a place for locals to breathe, relax, and connect with their surroundings without the constant presence of traffic. This improves mental and physical well-being.

Secondly, its design emphasizes comfort and utility. With abundant seating, thoughtful landscaping, and good lighting, it's not just a pass-through but a destination for a quick coffee break, a lunch outdoors, or simply a quiet moment away from the city's hustle. This practicality makes it an ideal spot for daily routines. The review noting it felt "a little quieter than the rest of the area" speaks directly to this benefit.

Thirdly, its connection to Baruch College means it naturally fosters a lively yet controlled environment. It serves as a meeting point for students, faculty, and local residents, enhancing community interaction and creating a vibrant, yet safe, public realm. The strategic location also makes it incredibly accessible via public transport, ensuring that locals from surrounding areas can easily visit and enjoy the space.

While initial reviews reflect the long construction and some specific aesthetic preferences, the fundamental value of Clivner=Field Plaza as a permanent, accessible, and green public space in a highly urbanized district cannot be overstated. It offers locals a tangible improvement to their daily lives, providing a much-needed "park" where they can pause, refresh, and engage with their city.

Clivner=Field Plaza

151 Bernard Baruch Way, New York, NY 10010, USA