NYC wants to redesign Chinatown’s chaotic Chatham Square
New York City has a plan to redesign Chinatown’s notoriously chaotic Chatham Square as a safer and more welcoming pedestrian space. The Department of Transportation (DOT) on Tuesday released new renderings of the proposal, which would significantly expand pedestrian areas, simplify the complex intersection, and improve safety for both pedestrians and drivers. The plan also introduces more trees and greenery, including upgrades to Kimlau Square, the park at the center of Chatham Square.
“New Yorkers deserve to live in communities with vibrant public spaces where crossing the street doesn’t have to be a complicated, dangerous process,” DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said. “This ambitious redesign of Chatham Square will dramatically improve the pedestrian experience while helping drivers get where they need to go more directly.”
“By shortening crossing distances, simplifying complex intersections, and adding more trees and greenery—we can foster equitable streets and create welcoming public spaces for a thriving Chinatown.”
Chatham Square currently features an intricate, five-point intersection with numerous conflict points that endanger drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Although pedestrians make up about 80 percent of users, they often walk long distances to cross the street, typically at the same time as a high number of turning vehicles.
The complicated layout requires traffic enforcement agents to manage the flow of vehicles, which often need to make multiple turns because of the intersection’s convoluted design.
As a result, the surrounding traffic and noise make the existing public space less welcoming and accessible, and it remains too small to accommodate community events like the Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival.
The proposed redesign would reconfigure Chatham Square into a standard four-way intersection to better accommodate heavy pedestrian traffic while allowing drivers to pass through with fewer turns. Crosswalks would be shortened to reduce exposure to vehicles and improve accessibility, particularly for seniors and children.
Additionally, the plan preserves the Kimlau Memorial Arch in Kimlau Square—the center of the redesign—and strengthens connections between the monument, the surrounding public space, and neighboring blocks.
The city’s Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) has selected the architectural firm Marvel to lead the redesign of Chatham Square, working with NYCEDC, the DOT, and the local community.
Extensive community engagement has guided the redesign process. The city began collecting feedback in May and refined the proposal in collaboration with the Chinatown Connections Working Group through tabling sessions, pop-up events, and other outreach efforts, gathering nearly 350 comments from residents through a visual survey of the project.
Chinatown Connections is a $55 million capital initiative funded by the city and state to support community needs and the local economy while strengthening neighborhood identity and culture. The program aims to expand pedestrian space and improve safety by creating stronger connections for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the neighborhood.
Final design and construction are slated for 2027.
“The new public space designs reflect our deep commitment to celebrating Chinatown’s cultural heritage while creating a more welcoming, accessible, and vibrant space for all,” Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu said.
“By working closely with the community, we’re transforming a busy, congested and chaotic intersection into quality public space that benefit residents and businesses alike.”
Public realm upgrades are also planned for a stretch of Canal Street from West Street to Bowery. Announced in September, the proposal calls for “super sidewalks” that widen pedestrian space across several blocks, along with a new protected bike lane and additional public seating areas.
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