New York City's Port Authority is the busiest bus terminal in the world, but it's also infamously ugly. Roughly 65 million people are subjected to its dismal halls and unsightly facade every year.
Now the city is planning to give it a makeover. On September 22, the Port Authority unveiled five finalist designs for the new terminal as part of its International Design and Deliverability Competition.
If the city chooses one of these designs, it will be one of the most expensive transit hub revamps in history, with estimated costs ranging from $3.7 billion to $15.3 billion. For comparison, the construction of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub— the world's most expensive train station — cost about $4 billion.
Located near Times Square in Manhattan, the Port Authority Bus Terminal functions as the main gateway for buses traveling to and from NYC. The agency predicts that 337,000 daily commuters will use the terminal by 2040, up from 225,000 today.
Keep scrolling to check out the ideas, one of which will become the foundation for the redesigned terminal.
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A terminal that prioritizes pedestrians.
Firm: Arcadis of New York, Inc.
Estimated cost: $4.2 billion
This design calls for a new pedestrian-only plaza next to a light-filled terminal, which would allow easy access for people on foot. The building would also provide access to a stop for a new train line nearby.
A futuristic terminal with a rooftop garden.
Firm: Archilier Architecture Consortium
Estimated cost: $7 billion
Measuring 4 million square feet, this grandiose terminal would feature 9.8 acres of rooftop park space. The plan would use most of the existing Port Authority land, but would also require the acquisition of a nearby apartment building and a church.
A terminal designed to reduces congestion during rush hour.
Firm: Pelli Clark Pelli Architects
Estimated cost: $3.7 billion
This NYC-based firm wants to create a transit center that's 25% smaller than the existing Port Authority Bus Terminal. Called "Times Square West," it would connect the new Hudson Yards development project to Times Square.
The architects studied how foot traffic flows during rush hour, and placed the doors in their design in areas that would help reduce congestion.
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