The Public Realm Improvement Fund Governing Group shall select priority improvements for the Public Realm Improvement Concept Plan (the “Concept Plan”) in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

All improvements in the Concept Plan, which may be funded through contributions to the Public Realm Improvement Fund, shall:

(a)        be within the East Midtown Subdistrict, a location immediately adjacent thereto, or in a subway or rail mass transit facility in the Borough of Manhattan which has significant ridership into and out of the Subdistrict;

(b)        have a City or State agency as a project sponsor;

(c)        meet the definition of a capital project under Section 210 of the New York City Charter; and

(d)        consist of either:

(1)        above-grade public realm improvements, including, but not limited to, pedestrian plazas that provide opportunities for passive recreation, or improvements along a street accommodating both vehicular and pedestrian access that may include pedestrian amenities, or streetscape, sidewalk, crosswalk and median enhancements; or

(2)        below-grade public realm improvements, including, but not limited to widening, straightening, expanding or otherwise enhancing the existing below-grade pedestrian circulation network, additional vertical circulation, reconfiguring circulation routes to provide more direct pedestrian connections to subway or rail mass transit facilities, improved or new disabled access, or providing daylight access, or enhancements to noise abatement, air quality, lighting, finishes or rider orientation in new or existing passageways, within the East Midtown Subdistrict, a location immediately adjacent thereto, or in a subway or rail mass transit facility identified on the Priority Improvement List in Section 81-682 (Priority Improvement List for qualifying sites).

The Governing Group shall first consider the funding of the public realm improvements set forth in the table in this Section prior to consideration and selection of other above- or below-grade public realm improvements.

PUBLIC REALM IMPROVEMENTS