chinatown connections - chinatown welcome gateway

Request for Expressions of Interest: Chinatown Connections - Chinatown Welcome Gateway

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Percent for Art program, in conjunction with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), is issuing this Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for a qualified artist or artist team to serve as a design partner to create permanent public artwork serving as the Chinatown Welcome Gateway as part of the Chinatown Connections initiative.

CHINATOWN CONNECTIONS AND WELCOME GATEWAY BACKGROUND

Chinatown, Manhattan has long been a significant part of New York City history and cultural identity. It is a resilient neighborhood withstanding great challenges throughout the years, prompting a growing call for catalyzing change to revitalize the area. In response, The Chinatown Downtown Revitalization Initiative (“DRI”) Strategic Investment Plan (2022) was developed through robust coordination with local community members, organizations, and businesses. It highlights eleven projects aimed at improving the quality of life and economic opportunity for the area’s diverse residents, workers, entrepreneurs, and attracting visitors beyond.

The City of New York is implementing multiple public realm improvements through Chinatown Connections derived from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative Plan. The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is leading the project in partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) and NYS Department of State (NYSDOS). NYCEDC has procured Marvel as the Design Team Project Lead on Chinatown Connections. Marvel is an interdisciplinary collective driven by a collaborative and community-focused approach to creating responsible, beautiful spaces that reflect shared values. The multi-disciplinary practice is well-versed in shaping large scale, public realm projects in the complex urban environment of New York City.

Chinatown Connections aims to celebrate the cultural heritage of Chinatown, improve multimodal circulation in the area, and support local economic development. Alongside (1) Redesigning Kimlau Square and (2) Beautifying Park Row – (3) Creating a Chinatown Welcome Gateway will serve to highlight the neighborhood’s cultural heritage. This is a piece of public art meant to reflect a longstanding community desire for an iconic symbol that demarcates a key entrance to Chinatown.

The Welcome Gateway will be located in a redesigned Kimlau Square. Currently a six-point intersection with complex traffic movements, it will be redesigned as a standard four-way intersection with expanded public space, shorter pedestrian crossings, and direct bicycle connections. The Welcome Gateway will coexist with two monuments in Kimlau Square: The Kimlau War Memorial Arch and The Lin Ze Xu Statue. It should do so in a respectful and harmonious way to acknowledge this public space serves many local communities and is a highly traversed node in Chinatown.

An essential aspect of Chinatown Connections involves robust community engagement. At the outset of the project the Chinatown Connections Working Group (CCWG) was formed, consisting of elected officials and community stakeholders to help guide the overall public engagement process and help make decisions on the project’s design and implementation. A Welcome Gateway Subgroup was simultaneously established, consisting of 6 community stakeholders focused on providing valuable feedback and guidance to culminate in Chinatown Welcome Gateway Design Brief. The brief outlines the principles, purpose, role, and impact the Welcome Gateway should ultimately embody and accomplish.

TENTATIVE TIMELINE

• Phase One: June 2025
• Phase Two: July 2025 – August 2025
• Artwork Design Development: September 2025 to January 2027
• Artwork Fabrication: Coordinated with construction schedule
• Artwork Installation: Coordinated with capital project completion, anticipated January 2030