Supporting the nonprofit organization’s catalytic work in making NYC’s public realm more dynamic, equitable, and accessible for all, the Benefit for Public Space will honor the 2024 Public Space Leadership Award recipients, two organizations who are instrumental in the positive transformation of the city’s shared landscape. 

New York, NY – The Design Trust for Public Space will be holding its annual benefit at the New York Public Library Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, on Wednesday, June 12th, 2023. Supporting the nonprofit organization’s catalytic work in making NYC’s public realm more dynamic, equitable, and accessible for all, the Benefit for Public Space will honor the 2024 Public Space Leadership Award recipients, two organizations who are instrumental in the positive transformation of the city’s shared landscape. 

The Public Space Civic Leadership Award will be presented to the Public Housing Community Fund for the organization’s dedication and investment in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments throughout the five boroughs, supporting over 525,000 public housing residents. The Public Space Private Industry Leadership Award will be presented to Pier 57 for a historic transformation of a maritime industrial site into vibrant indoor and outdoor public spaces. The Restoration Team includes: Google, Hudson River Park Trust, James Beard Foundation, Jamestown, and RXR.

“Vibrant and viable public spaces are the soul of New York City,” said Matthew Clarke, Executive Director of the Design Trust. “This year’s Public Space Leadership Award Honorees have spearheaded transformational efforts to increase access to critical public resources that strengthen the five boroughs, including free open and green spaces, arts and culture opportunities, and investment in public housing communities.

“Over a half-million New York City residents call NYCHA home, and investing in and improving NYCHA's open space is vital to improving community health, safety, resilience, and social cohesion,” said Alex Zablocki, Executive Director of the Public Housing Community Fund. “We are deeply honored to receive the Public Space Civic Leadership Award from the Design Trust for Public Space. Our commitment to enhancing public housing communities in our city is driven by the belief that every resident deserves access to safe, vibrant, and dynamic public spaces. Many thanks to our dedicated staff, board, funders, partners, and residents of public housing who strive daily to create a more equitable and inclusive city for all.”

“The redevelopment of Pier 57 represents an extension of the West Side community and the social infrastructure of New York City – an entire new block of public spaces,” said Michael Phillips, President of Jamestown. “This award is a testament to the vision and dedication of the entire team, and we’re honored to be a part of it.”

“Since opening to the public, Pier 57 has become a treasured space in Hudson River Park and for visitors from all over New York and beyond,” said Noreen Doyle, President & CEO of the Hudson River Park Trust.  “The restoration of this historic maritime structure was a mammoth undertaking – one that could only have been achieved in partnership with civic-minded private sector leaders.  We are honored to join them in receiving the 2024 Public Space Leadership Award, and thank the Design Trust for Public Space for uplifting efforts to make New York City’s public realm more vibrant and accessible for all.”

“Pier 57 demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships. At RXR, we’re proud to have partnered with the Hudson River Park Trust to reimagine and transform an obsolete, dilapidated pier into a dynamic, engaging, mixed-use, community-oriented space,” said John​​​​ Ambrosini, RPA, Senior Property Manager of RXR. “Because of this partnership, Pier 57 is now home to one of the largest public rooftop parks in the city, a vibrant marketplace with unique dining and cultural programming, a world-class music venue, and the offices of one of the largest, most innovative companies in the world.” 

“We’ve been proud to call New York home for over 20 years, and as we reimaged the historic Pier 57, we envisioned a space that would give New Yorkers, visitors and Googlers the opportunity to experience the magic of New York City,” said Ellen West, Google New York Site Lead and Vice President, Engagement, Office of the CFO. “Pier 57 connects history with innovation, community with education, and people to one-of-a-kind food offerings and programs. This award is a testament to the visionary work of the entire project team who helped make this vision a reality.” 

The celebration will also consist of an evening of public space games, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, rooftop views, and a paddle raise with Hunt Auctioneers.Proceeds help support important active Design Trust projects including:

• Green Space Connections, a collaboration with the Public Housing Community Fund and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to create and activate community-designed green space at four NYCHA public housing developments for 14,000 residents in Brooklyn and the Bronx.

• The Neurodiverse City, an initiative with Verona Carpenter Architects, WIP Collaborative, and a network of disability advocates to build inclusive public spaces that better support neurodivergent communities. 

• Equitable Public Space Fellowship Program andNew York: City Designed, our ongoing programs empowering the next generation of design professionals.Learn more about this event and our sponsors