Sadmir C.
Today we visited the David Rubensteim Altrium at the Lincoln Center on Broadway in Manhattan. At a first glance, with its focus on selling tickets and grand architecture, it may not feel so welcoming. However, it is very accommodating to the public. If you do not know, POPS are privately owned public spaces that give some sort of area for the public to enjoy in exchange for something for their property or business by the city. Sadly, they are not very known. I did not even know of them myself.
Access
The Atrium is relatively easy to access. There are plenty of signs stating it is a public area, detailing the exact amenities in the building: 152 chairs, 38 tables, public restrooms in various locations (e.g. the 2nd floor), one water fountain (on the 2nd floor), two plant walls and free weekly performances. From the entrance we went through, there was only a scanner outside the door but that was not an issue.
Amenities
There is one public drinking fountain on the 2nd floor, situated next to several bathroom stalls for both men and women. The 2nd floor is wheelchair accessible through two quick elevators. In the first floor café, there is plenty of seating available across nearly the entire width of the lounge. Behind the tables are a fabulous garden wall and film projector, accompanied with music everywhere.
Atmosphere
Overall, there is a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere inside the Atrium. It seems you are free to go as you wish, at least to my experience. There was not much security restricting us. The lounge is very friendly and you may sit if you want to rest with no hassle.
Final Thoughts
I’d give the Atrium a 8-9 rating out of 10. The bathrooms seemed clean enough, there was lots of space for the public to sit in, music, and sufficient wheelchair accessibility. However, one slight critique I have is that the details for the amenities are hard to see, the bathrooms are somewhat hard to find, and some signs may be misleading.
If anyone is interested in some useful links for finding more POPS, here:
https://capitalplanning.nyc.gov/map/facilities#10/40.7128/-74.0807
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