Hudson Square to get $27M makeover

Manhattan’s Hudson Square neighborhood is getting a $27 million upgrade.

With funds from the New York City Economic Development Corp. and the City Council, plus matching funds from the Hudson Square Connection Business Improvement District, public spaces including sidewalks and outdoor venues will be refashioned to reflect the area’s current status as a hub for advertising, architectural, media and design firms, according to the BID.

In the first phase, the park at Spring Street and Sixth Avenue will be transformed into a gateway area with new trees, seating and lighting. Spring Street will be turned into a “main street,” and WalkNYC maps will be installed.

“People in the tech industry and the media people, all the creative types ... want good quality of life, that’s important to them,” Ellen Baer, president of the BID, said.

“A lot of people in the tech and media industries, the creative types, really believe, in their DNA, in sustainability,” she added. “And so we’re trying to provide a model of sustainability.”

The funds are being provided by the New York City Economic Development Corp and the City Council, with matching funds from the Hudson Square BID.

The area is filled with more than 1,000 advertising, architectural, media and design firms.