By Patrick Hedlund
DNAinfo News Editor
CHINATOWN — Neighbors will have the chance to weigh in on how a future public plaza near the foot of the Manhattan Bridge will take shape at a workshop Thursday night.
The city is planning to transform an elevated, triangular plot of land at the corner of Forsyth and Canal streets into a modern public space featuring plants, seating and art installations.
In an effort to solicit ideas for how the plaza should eventually look, the development firm that proposed the derelict site for renovation is holding an open forum for the community to offer its opinions.
"Public space is very scarce in that area, and it's really important people say how they want to use it," said Susan Stetzer, Community Board 3 district manager, which is co-hosting the workshop along with the city's Departments of Transportation and Design and Construction.
The public will also have the chance to determine the type of art will grace the space, as the city recently decided to hold off on selecting an artist until after the workshop, Stetzer noted.
Aside from a full renovation of the lot, the city also plans to widen the sidewalk on Forsyth Street next to the plaza by about 10 feet to better accommodate the bustling greenmarket that operates year-round at the location.
Other possible features of the site include a creative lighting scheme, moveable tables and chairs, bike racks and a vending kiosk on the plaza.
The project is one of seven plaza redesigns the city is currently pursuing, and it will remain in the design phase through at least the beginning of 2012, with a tentative completion date a year later, officials said.
The workshop is being held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the offices of the Renaissance Development Corporation, 111 Division St.
