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Design

Could This Queensway Plaza Design Be The Next High Line?

Studio Nooyoon's "Upside Down Bridge" looks like it could rival the Highline as the ultimate tourist hub.

For its biennial design ideas competition, Emerging New York Architects asked contestants to submit proposals under the title Queensway Connection: Elevating the Public Realm. The Queensway in question is 3.5 miles of abandoned rail line that runs between 100th and 99th street, from Rego Park to Ozone Park, in NYC’s biggest borough.

Among the five winners, Hyuntek-Noon of studio Nooyoon was the only entrant from New York. He proposed an “Upside Down Bridge” a multilevel design, above, that would make use of the railway’s vertical and horizontal space. Noon provided for bike lanes, sports courts, a “floating forest,” and expansive walkways. Though Noon won honorable mention, his proposal may be the most feasible design out of all the winners, especially since the second-place entry looks like a place to make good on a death wish.

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It’s easy to get excited about Nooyoon’s proposal. It would be a destination for tourists and Manhattanites alike. Given that the High Line is often overrun with picture-taking people, Queensway could become an alternate charming date spot, invigorating the surrounding neighborhoods economically and energetically. But the Queensway Park is a controversial project, with reason. Many locals would rather see public transportation rebuilt in the area to improve the commute into Manhattan.

Building the Queensway could be cheaper than rebuilding the subway, so it’s a tempting way to strengthen the city on the short term. Friends of the Queensway, a grassroots collective striving to improve the Park, will conclude a study and planning initiative this summer, so a decision may be reached sooner than later. Perhaps selfishly, we hope they’ll pick Nooyon's proposal--it doesn't hurt that he included elevated concerts in his concept plans.

H/t DesignBoom

Images via Nooyon