Port Authority Reveals 5 Finalists for New Bus Terminal Design

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — The Port Authority named the five finalists in its controversial bus terminal redesign competition on Thursday, but the decision will be up for debate among neighboring residents, politicians and the Port Authority itself.

The five designs chosen were by Arcadis of New York, Archilier Architecture Consortium, Hudson Terminal Center Collaborative, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects and Perkins Eastman.

The competition itself has been racked by controversy for the past few months, as politicians had called for completely restarting the process. Everyone agreed a new bus terminal was needed at 42nd Street, but no one could come to a consensus on how until New York and New Jersey officials came to an agreement with the Port Authority on Tuesday.

"The Port Authority encourages all interested parties – commuters, neighborhood residents, business partners and other stakeholders – to provide their assessments, which will be reviewed as part of the planning process by agency officials," the statement said.

The five finalists' designs are available for the public to see and comment on here.

THE FIVE FINALISTS

1. Arcadis of New York

The Arcadis team's concept emphasizes that they will not demolish any buildings in the area, one of the major complaints from residents. It also uses only Port Authority-owned land. It will provide direct access to the 7 train, once extended, and a pedestrian walkway to Eighth Avenue and 42nd Street subway stations. The majority of the second floor will be retail, with bus gates on the first floor.
Cost estimate: $4.2 billion

2. Archilier Architecture Consortium

Archilier, the same group behind one of the uniquely designed Hudson Yards skyscraper, says its project will replace "a 'no-man's-land' with a vibrant multi-faceted public facility as part of a long-range master plan that heals what has been an open scar on the face of New York’s west side." The development will have 200 commuter gates, a direct link to the planned 7 train station at 10th Avenue, retail and a 9.8-acre rooftop park.
Cost estimate: $7 billion

3. Hudson Terminal Center Collaborative

The Hudson Terminal design puts a terminal "directly below" the current Port Authority Bus Terminal location. Yep, it's all underground — and deep enough that it won't impact current subway lines or buildings. It will also be directly connected underground to the Lincoln Tunnel, noting this will be especially useful in adverse weather conditions. It will have direct access to the Eighth Avenue A, C, E stops and the coming 7 train station. But it comes at a costly price.
Cost estimate: $15.3 billion

4. Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects

Pelli Clarke Pelli, which designed San Francisco's new Transbay Transit Center, emphasize a relocation and a smaller-sized terminal than the others. Like the others, it will have direct access to the coming 7-train stop on Dyer Avenue. It will also be built entirely on Port Authority-owned land, include "local and small retailers" and direct access to the Lincoln Tunnel. Its size also makes it the most cost-effective of the five finalists.
Cost estimate: $3.7 billion

5. Perkins Eastman

The design from Perkins Eastman incorporates the new bus terminal into the existing Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. It involves no seizure of property by eminent domain. Like the other four, it will have direct access to the new 7-train stop, remove buses, trucks and ramps from the existing street grid, and introduce a new waterfront park around Pier 76.
Cost estimate: $5.4 billion

Top Photo: Perkins Eastman