The ONE Prize 2012 Competition

Powered by the idea that social, ecological, and economic struggles can simultaneously be addressed through collaborative action and innovative design. Situated in the context of a struggling U.S. economy and the tension of stagnant unemployment, ONE Prize 2012 is a call to put design in the service of the community, to reinvigorate deindustrialized and depressed urban areas, and to re-purpose spaces for economic growth and job creation. It aims to explore the socially, economically, and ecologically regenerative possibilities of urban transformation and design.

Queensway Park + Farm

Revitalizing Queens through its past infrastructure

During the late 19th c. The construction of the railroads re-shaped the economy of the midlands in Queens and the communities surrounding the Jamaica Bay.

Today the abandoned track running between the quiet Forest Hills neighborhoods and the race tracks in Howard Beach is a ghost of those prosperous times…

Bridging major east-west arteries in the region such as Atlantic Avenue, Metropolitan Avenue, Park Lane South/ 98th street, Jamaica avenue, down to the Rockaway Boulevard, this mighty structure has the unique ability to isolate and support organic earth that would be separated from the pollution of the industrial waste of the past  and sources of natural pollution.

In the near future this picturesque relic can become the life line of many local communities; bringing awareness of the regions ecology, much needed source of home-grown organic foods, educational facilities related to organic agriculture and local commercial centers thriving within the area. Abandoned railroad buildings can be renovated to house new commercial/office spaces. New organic farms can feed millions and provide much needed economic growth along with a new generation of people with healthy eating habits

Agenda

The Queensway-Abandoned LIRR tracks Rockaway Branch (Study Area) Facts

Built: 1908

Abandoned : 1962

Stations within the study area :  5

Linear Distance : 3.5 Miles

Re-claimed farmland : approx. 6 acres

Re-claimed parkland/nature trails : approx. 2 miles/8.4 acres

Restored/re-claimed commercial area; Approx. 1 Million sf.

Location Interventions

1. Rego Park LIRR Station is the former station for the LIRR Rockaway Beach Branch. It was made of wood, unlike most other stations that were concrete. The station opened in May 1928 with two side platforms outside the two Rockaway Beach Brand tracks that bracketed the four-track Main Line, so only Rockaway trains stopped there. After the Rockaway Trestle fire in 1950, the line was closed station by station. The station closed on June 8, 1962, one day before the Rockaway Beach Branch was abandoned. Nothing remains at the site today.

Proposed: Beginning of 3.5 mile nature "rail-to-trails" Queensway park extending south from Rego Park to Ozone Park.

2. Metropolitan Ave/ LIRR Intersection abandon track. West side of track- commercial center (Home Depot, Trader Joes, Car Wash), East side of track- (Metropolitan High School). Commercial Zone

Proposed: Continuation of park/ elevated entry to the portion of the track as elegant public gardens along the edge of the vast plaza and parking area. New fresh food/vegetable market stands.

3. Park Lane South/ 98th St./ LIRR Intersection abandon track. East side of track- 84-10 101 St. PLSC converted industrial building to condos (Precedent), Public School 254. Residential Zone

Proposed: Cont. of park/ elevated entry portion of the track as organic gardens to public & educational facilities

4. Jamaica Ave/ LIRR Intersection abandon track. East side of track- Woodhaven Associate Supermarket. Commercial Zone

Proposed: Cont. of park/ organic gardens supply produce to local commercial businesses

5. Atlantic Ave LIRR Station Intersection abandon track & vacant  Atlantic Ave LIRR Station. West side of track- attached existing abandon LIRR station. East side of track 1 block south (Kantor's Bicycle Rental & Sales) Industrial factory building, 2 blocks east (School for Construction Trades Engineering and Architecture)

Proposed: Cont. of park/ elevated entry portion of the track as organic gardens to public & educational facilities/ converted abandon Atlantic LIRR Station to Mixed-Use program (Green Markets/ Office space)

6. Ozone Park LIRR Station Intersection abandon track & old site of the Ozone Park LIRR Station that was widen to accommodate heavy train traffic. The abandoned structure underneath the tracks have been reclaimed to existing auto body shops that now operate between 103rd and 101st Avenues and 99th and 100th street. Residential/ Commercial Zones

Proposed: Cont. of park/ elevated entry portion of the track as organic gardens to public & commercial spaces below (restaurants/ retail shops/ green markets etc.) Existing infrastructure below to remain and provide direct openings from street level to park above for light, air, and services.

7. Rockaway Blvd./ LIRR Intersection abandon track & continuation of Ozone auto body industries below elevated train track to 103rd avenue. East and West side of track- Commercial Zone

Proposed: Cont. of park/ elevated portion of the track as organic gardens to public, educational facilities & commercial spaces below (restaurants/ retail shops/ green markets etc.) Existing infrastructure below to remain and provide direct openings from street level to park above for light, air, and services. Provide an arcaded new edge to the current open commercial plaza.

8. South Ozone Park Aqueduct Casino & Racetrack Intersection abandon track. West side of track- Residential and baseball park. East side of track- South Ozone Park Aqueduct Casino & Racetrack.

Proposed: Continuation of the nature park to have direct connection to the Aqueduct . The park would theoretically continue south all the down to Jamaica Bay 

 Link: http://www.oneprize.org/12finalists.html