HUDSON SQUARE — Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer is calling for owners of stalled construction sites to allow the spaces to be put to creative temporary uses.
Manhattan has 129 stalled construction sites, according to a report Stringer's office released Monday during a press conference at an interim art space in Hudson Square.
More than half of these locations have fencing that is in disrepair or has been vandalized, and nearly 40 percent have problems with litter.
Public-private partnerships could transform stalled sites into locations for public art, performances, food vendors, recreation or private parties, Stringer said.
"By releasing this report, we are giving a roadmap of how we can turn these sites into something vibrant for New York City residents," Stringer said.
He called for legislation that would let the city partner with developers to create temporary public spaces on private property, potentially creating incentives for developers.
The borough president will present the report to Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office, Stringer said.
Sam Miller, president of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, said property owners would benefit from putting their stalled sites to public use.
"One of the pieces of this puzzle is looking at legislation that will create a permit process that would protect the financial interests of people who have a financial stake in the property and also create new opportunities for revenue on a temporary basis," he said.
According to Stringer's report, 12 stalled construction sites are located in Community District 2, which covers Greenwich Village, the West Village, Hudson Square and the Meatpacking District.
Stringer spoke at LentSpace, the outdoor area at the northeast corner of Varick and Canal streets that is currently being used for art exhibitions and to incubate trees that will later be planted in Hudson Square, according to LMCC's website.
The property is a long-term development site, a spokesman for its owner, Trinity Real Estate, said Monday.
Trinity plans for the space to later become home to a public elementary school and another development project that is not yet planned, the spokesman added.
