Imagine An Underground Park In NYC? It Could Become Reality

CBS New York ^ | Nov. 22, 2011

[Free ThinkerNY]

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — When most people think of the New York City underground, the subway, rats and bad lighting are among the first things that come to mind.

But, how about beautiful spaces with natural sunlight, grass, trees and remarkably good-looking people relaxing in a park-like setting? Well, that’s exactly what pops into the heads of architect James Ramsey and his partner Dan Barasch. The pair want to turn the rundown, graffiti-covered trolley terminal under Delancey Street into an underground park, reports CBS 2′s Don Dahler.

“It’s part historical rediscovery of an amazing space; it’s part science-fiction. And I think it’s part just sort of a green, magical community renewal,” Ramsey said.

“This is a space that could be used on a day like this that’s rainy and cold and grey. And it could be used in winter and it could be used when it’s freezing outside,” Barasch added.

[Roccus]

Was this terminal part of the collapse of Delancey St. due to the gas explosion back in the late 60’s?

[Bellflower]

Doesn't Canada have a huge underground area in one of it's cities?

I have always been fascinated with the idea of living/being underground. I don't know how feasible it is but people who lived out in the plains use to have underground homes. Of course this has become much more inviting since technology for light to get in has come of age.

[varyouga]

I can't speak about the men, but NYC streets are flooded with beautiful well-dressed young women. In my neighborhood, 1/10 look better than most magazine models.

The personalities are up for debate but there is no lack of eye candy here. The only place in the US I've seen more is Miami Beach.

[JerseyHighlander]

I was intrigued by the question, that was before my time so I asked around today, no one remembered it off hand.

Beyond the abandoned trolley station itself the subway still runs under part of Delancey, IDK if it was part of the station or tubes.

[Roccus]

Wasn’t able to find much on the WWW about it. The New Yorker has this before its paywall.

http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1969/02/01/1969_02_01_024_TNY_CARDS_000290487

Also there is this on the top left of the front page, but you’ll have to play with the PDF controls to read it

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=Aul-kAQHnToC&dat=19690104&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

The New Yorker article mentions the (suposedly unknown) tunnel with tracks that gas was said to have accumulated in.
I lived on Cherry between Market and the bridge at the time. Was taking the subway to Queens that evening, but got forced off at Delancey. There were cops and fire there and the only indication of a problem was a small flame from a manhole cover at Allen and Delancey. Later, everything went up.

[Roccus]

If Rattner’s is still on Delancey, someone in there might remember it.

[Cvengr]

Morlocks need love too!

[Roccus]

Delancey St. was already a hole when I lived downtown in the late 60’s....wouldn’t think they’d want another ;)