This space was less gloomy than the last and there was a bench to sit on, but it was practically inaccessible since it was next to a driveway and residents of the building were being dropped off in that area. The doorman looked suspicious of our presence, and one resident got upset that we were blocking her walkway. I think that the location was just very off, and even if it is transformed, it will not be accessible due to being right next to a driveway.
The space was relatively accessible, but there was only a small sign to indicate that it was a POPS. The vibes were very off; it was extremely gloomy and the lights were dim. There were two ashtrays and some planters which had signs that barred people from sitting there, but there were no benches to sit in. The place would offer a lot of shade on a hot summer day, so adding even a single bench would improve it a lot.
Steeping into the Atrium, I felt as if I was transported to a remote garden; as you walk in, there is a massive wall with greenery and a waterfall on the floor across from it. These two unique structures make the area instantly calmer and feel like a hideaway from the massive avenue of cars right in front of it. It would be nicer if the cafe in the Atrium was more cost-friendly so people looking to eat could have something affordable. Overall, it was a very eco-friendly and calming place that I would love to visit in my downtime, so with that being said, I rate it a 4/5 and would definitely go again.
The area although having some green space available for the public eye, the place itself was still basic and had no desire to be appealing to the public. The environment in the area feels intimidating and an outsider would not feel comfortable being in a place like this. No signs were even found – Jonathan Molina Queens College
The POPS square is dry and soulless, it almost doesn’t seem like a public space at first glance but rather just empty space. It seems to have potential but the place doesn’t seem to be maintained or even had any attention paid to it -Jonathan Molina Queens College
I give this public space 5/5 stars. You can tell that it’s a public space because there’s multiple signs outside and inside the building. It’s very spacious and clean.There’s also some greenery at the entrances that make it pretty. There’s a security desk and cameras so you feel very safe. There’s also a couple of computers that people can use to do work. It has elevators which make it accessible, a water fountain, and a bathroom. The vibes are very chill and cozy. I would definitely return to this place.
This small arcade has plenty of greenery and benches. The trees and bushes are actually very pleasant, the benches not quite. There are metal bars in the middle to prevent sleeping, many are covered in pigeon poop and unsanitary, and they may turn people away from sitting there.
Access
The arcade is relatively easy to access since it is out in the open. However, it is somewhat hidden behind a residential complex so it may be hard to find. The signs indicating it is a public space are easy to find, though.
Final Thoughts
With cleaner benches, this would be a great space. Maybe a few tables as well, but that is up to the building management. I did not see anyone using this area, except this fellow.
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.
The sign on the outside entrance.
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.
People are even playing chess without any interruption here.
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.
No key was needed?! (A joke.)
If anyone is interested in some useful links for finding more POPS, here:
Although full of greenery, the space was void of people (most likely due to the cold weather). I can only imagine how the space would look during the summer, but I imagine it would not garner too much people due to how remote the signs are (a total of 2 signs). The first sign we found was hidden in an almost random pillar facing walls rather than any incoming pedestrian, which foreseeably limits the foot traffic. There was a visible, almost threatening barrier around this space, namely building that seems to host residents. These building allude to the space being private which may chase off any potential enjoyer. There is also a lack of visible drinking water source (did not see one in my time there) and bathroom (or indicator of where to find one). The pros of this space is the vibrant plants in the middle of the property with birds fluttering occasionally, almost dancing with the plants. I can imagine how peaceful a potential lunch time could be here (when the weather warms up). There were plenty of benches but some tables would have been appreciated as well. Overall, a 2.5 out of 5 (was 3/5 until I started to write this review).
While the climate in New York City has distinct changes throughout the year, for some people, like myself, the city itself significantly changes with the seasons. But for people like my interviewee, Diana, the city does not change throughout the seasons. For her, there is so much going on all the time and opportunities offered in every season, people are always caught in a never-ending cycle of activities. Diana believes that because of the amount of activities, one can immerse oneself in and allow them to reconnect with their surroundings and community.
Regardless of the temperature, rain, snow, or sun, the city is always moving at the same pace through her eyes and it keeps everything flowing. She does notice a change of dynamic in the number of people, however. In Rockaway, her neighborhood, for example, Diana notices a distinct change in the amount of people. In the summer, the beaches fill up with people, but as the temperature gets colder, human movement in the area decreases. But Diana pointed out something crucial; the residents of Rockaway are always there. She claims that people who live there step away from the beach in the summer, and start going back routinely as the waves of people die down. So the movement of the city overall is always the same, perhaps the hotspots just change and rotate. But the city itself is always in movement.
I recorded this near Lincoln Center at a crosswalk. In the audio, you hear the electronic monitor on the light pole ringing to help let pedestrians know they can now cross. You also hear some cars driving, and some people walking and conversating. Maria Ruiz, a Macaulay honors and Queens College student, says it reminds her of crossing the street often. The randomness of the audio also made her laugh. The New York City she likes and is comfortable with doesn’t really sound like the audio, it’s more quiet. Sometimes there are birds chirping and cars passing by, along with some music being played. Maria doesn’t care for the chaotic nature and loudness of the city, which no one can blame her for. She prefers stillness, and peace in all aspects.
Topic Question: Do New Yorkers have their own unique way of living? What are things unique to New Yorkers?
Interview Questions and Paula’s Responses:
1. Are you a New Yorker? What experiences have you encountered specific to your time living here? “Not a native New Yorker, crazy people in the subway, going to Central Park, and getting yelled at.”
2. what comes to mind about the people, culture, and daily lifestyle when you think of NYC? “Busy people, goal-and-aim (goal-oriented), doing something, rushing to do something.”
3. Have you been somewhere that has reminded you of the city? “No. New York is like 50 things at the same time. Been to London and has been reminded of the skyscrapers in the city.”
Audio: Was not able to upload, but here is a brief description. For my audio recording, I went into Central Park and recorded people talking around me, which were my fellow Macaulay cohort mates. In the background, you can hear horses strutting by, cyclists, joggers, and even people playing music.
Hypothesis: New Yorkers are a unique group of people. They have their own way of living, hustle culture, and daily habits.
Results: My hypothesis was correct and supported by my research interview with Paula. New Yorkers indeed have unique daily habits to them, there are interactions and different experiences they have come across that have desensitized them, and made them think certain habits are normal. Therefore, they just ignore the irrelevant things they see each day. A way I could improve the accuracy and validity of my research would be to expand the types and the number of people I am interviewing. Only interviewing one person limits my research results to only one perspective, which can give me incorrect or outdated data.
I interviewed Jamie, a Macaulay Honors Student at Lehman College. Walking around the Macaulay building on the upper west side, an area she is not familiar with, Jamie was struck by the sense of familiarity she had with a five story brick building on the corner of Columbus Ave and 67th street. Talking about the building, Jamie reflected on her upbringing in Sunset Park and the way her childhood neighborhood has changed over the years. She says the change is most visible in new storefronts and in the demographic of the neighborhood. She feels that the new “modern” design, increasingly present across the city, is “less homey,” but she refuses to be entirely pessimistic about the change.
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